After Hercules Beal’s life comes crashing down, he finds himself living under the watchful eye of his brother and adjusting to a new school. To make matters worse, his teacher gives him a yearlong project: reenact the 12 labors of Hercules from Greek mythology. As the year goes on, Hercules makes new friends, accomplishes impossible feats and discovers that his life might not be over after all.
When Hercules Beal’s parents die in a car accident, his brother, Achilles, quits his job and comes home to take care of Hercules and run the Beal Brothers Farm and Nursery. But this is just the beginning of the big changes in Herc’s life.
Achilles informs him that Hercules will now be attending the Cape Cod Academy for Environmental Sciences. It’s closer to home, Achilles says. And while adjusting to a new school is always difficult, Hercules discovers that this school comes with some extra-special challenges. His language arts teacher, Marine Col. Daniel Hupfer, explains that every person in class must complete a Greek mythology project. Hercules’ project is to reenact the 12 labors of the mythical Hercules.
Hercules doesn’t expect to enjoy this difficult assignment. In fact, he’s not even sure if he can, given the lack of giants and hydras around Cape Cod. Yet, as the year goes on and Hercules battles feral cats, saves the school and purchases a hippo, he realizes that he might have something to learn from literature. His family will never be the same. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely gone.
Hercules’ grandfather was a pastor. Hell, demons, praying, and hymns are all mentioned.
Greek mythology is an extensive part of the story. Other mythologies, hauntings, vampires and wizards are mentioned as well. Hercules believes the universe owes him a dog. Viola, Achilles’ girlfriend, believes that all holidays are holy.
Achilles does a good job being in charge, even though he is frustrated by Hercules at times. Col. Hupfer is strict but cares about his students. Elly, another of Hercules’ classmates, deals with the divorce of her own parents.
Multiple people call others “jerkface.” Hercules calls his brother’s girlfriend a vampire. Achilles calls Hercules a jacka–, and one kid calls another dumba–. One character uses God’s name in vain, and another character says “freaking.” Hercules alludes to the mynah birds cursing.
Col. Hupfer talks about killing a reef shark and using a hatchet to kill a cougar. Hercules bleeds from scratches he gets from feral cats. (We also hear about how the pack of cats is attacking animals, but how members of the pack are picked off by coyotes.) He also breaks another kid’s nose. One character talks about murdering another. A monster gets its arm ripped off in Beowulf. Hercules mentions that a drunk driver killed his parents. The mythical Hercules killing people and creatures is mentioned. Impaling Achilles with tomato cages is discussed.
Hercules has a crush on Elly and kisses her once.
Have you ever learned an important lesson from reading a book, like Hercules did from reading the myths? What did you learn?
How did Hercules’ friends support and help him? Do you think you’re a good friend, or could you be better?
Read Psalm 34:18 and Matthew 5:4. Do you think God cares when people go through hard things like Hercules? Why or why not?
Get free discussion questions for books at focusonthefamily.com/magazine/thriving-family-book-discussion-questions.
The Labors of Hercules Beal addresses important issues like grief, friendship and family while featuring compelling characters and interesting plot lines. However, some of the language is inappropriate for children.
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Review by Rachel Pfeiffer
