What is a hero? Using the metaphor of a hiking trail, bestselling author T. A. Barron discusses the great variety of heroes and brings them to life through their own stories: Some are well known, like Wilma Rudolph, Anne Frank, and Stephen Hawking. Yet most are “ordinary kids” who have made amazing choices: saved their siblings from a fire, struggled to stop prejudice at their school, helped raise money to build a well in an African village. This book will be invaluable to kids, parents, and educators who need role models for young people to look up to—and a new way to look at what a hero is. * “A rewarding, informative read, the book introduces and pays homage to heroes throughout time, literature, and life.” starred review   — Booklist "The stories are well worth sharing." — School Library Journal "The simplicity of the message and wide range of examples combine to make compelling motivational reading." — Kirkus Reviews "Here is so much grace to regard closely, to hold tight in mind, heart, and soul." — from the preface by Robert Coles, M. D. T.A. Barron is the award-winning author of fantasy novels such as The Lost Years of Merlin epic—soon to be a major motion picture. He serves on a variety of environmental and educational boards including The Nature Conservancy and The Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, and is the founder of a national award for heroic children. Following a life-changing decision to leave a successful business career to write full-time in 1990, Barron has written seventeen books, but is happiest when on the mountain trails with his wife, Currie, and their five children.