Hercules: the Diary of a (Sort of) Hero

Hercules Braver is a Greek hero who must live up to his name to survive his new secondary school. He faces impossible tasks, such as cleaning out the school pond, facing up to the school bully, and finding the headmaster's missing cat. His charming, impressive birth dad turns up after years living in Greece, and Hercules thinks his problems are solved. But will Hercules learn what it truly means to be a hero?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Scholastic

Hercules Braver is determined to survive his new secondary school, and he knows that he must live up to his name. He wants to be strong, tanned, and popular, like a Greek hero, not weak and pale and unpopular, like a Greek yogurt. However, his quest for popularity leads him to a series of impossible tasks, such as cleaning out the monster-riddled school pond, facing up to the school bully, and finding the headmaster's missing cat.

Just when Hercules thinks his problems are solved, his charming, impressive birth dad, who has been living in Greece for years, suddenly reappears. Hercules believes that his dad could be the real Zeus, with God-like strength and awe-inspiring powers. But as he gets to know his dad better, he realizes that being a hero is not as easy as he thought.

Hercules Braver's story is a hilarious and accessible package brilliantly illustrated by David O'Connell. It is ideal for fans of Louie Stowell's Loki, Maz Evans' Marvel's Thor films, and Disney's Hercules. The book is loosely based on the first three Labours of Hercules, making it an ideal introduction to Greek mythology for all young fans.

What makes Hercules Braver stand out is its warm-hearted representation of blended families and alternate father figures. Hercules is adopted, and his birth dad is not his biological parent, but they form a strong bond and support each other. This is a refreshing and positive portrayal of family dynamics, and it will resonate with readers who have experienced similar situations.

Overall, Hercules Braver is a brilliant, accessible, and VERY funny book. It is perfect for fans of Greek mythology, and it will also appeal to readers who enjoy humorous stories with relatable characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and engaging read.

Weight: 198g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780702324635