The Hero's Trail

True Stories of Young People to Inspire Courage, Compassion, and Hope, Newly Revised and Updated Edition

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.

T. A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country and traveled widely as a Rhodes Scholar. Though he’d long dreamed of becoming a writer, his first novel was overwhelmingly rejected by publishers. He joined a successful business in New York and eventually became president – but he just couldn’t stop dreaming of becoming an author. So in 1990, he surprised his business partners and resigned. He moved back to Colorado to pursue his dream to be a writer, outdoorsman, and conservationist.
 
Today, T. A. Barron is the award-winning author of more than 30 highly acclaimed books, many of which are international bestsellers. He has won the de Grummond Medallion for “lifetime contribution to the field of children’s and young adult literature” and many other book awards.
 
His books include The Merlin Saga (now being developed into a feature film by Disney), The Great Tree of Avalon (a New York Times bestselling series), The Ancient One (the tale of a brave girl and a magical tree), and The Hero’s Trail (non-fiction stories of courageous kids).  
 
In 2000, he founded the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a national award that honors outstanding young people who help their communities or the environment. Each year, the award honors 25 inspiring, public-spirited kids from diverse backgrounds. Also, he produced a documentary film, Dream Big, profiling seven winners of the Barron Prize.
 
When not writing or speaking, T. A. Barron serves on many boards including Princeton University, where he helped to create the Princeton Environmental Institute, and The Wilderness Society, which recently honored him with its highest award for conservation work. T. A. Barron also loves hiking, camping, and skiing in Colorado with his family.
 
For more information, visit www.TABarron.com, Facebook www.facebook.com/TABarronFans/, Twitter https://twitter.com/TABarronAuthor, or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tabarronauthor.

View titles by T. A. Barron
* “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.

About

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.

Author

T. A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country and traveled widely as a Rhodes Scholar. Though he’d long dreamed of becoming a writer, his first novel was overwhelmingly rejected by publishers. He joined a successful business in New York and eventually became president – but he just couldn’t stop dreaming of becoming an author. So in 1990, he surprised his business partners and resigned. He moved back to Colorado to pursue his dream to be a writer, outdoorsman, and conservationist.
 
Today, T. A. Barron is the award-winning author of more than 30 highly acclaimed books, many of which are international bestsellers. He has won the de Grummond Medallion for “lifetime contribution to the field of children’s and young adult literature” and many other book awards.
 
His books include The Merlin Saga (now being developed into a feature film by Disney), The Great Tree of Avalon (a New York Times bestselling series), The Ancient One (the tale of a brave girl and a magical tree), and The Hero’s Trail (non-fiction stories of courageous kids).  
 
In 2000, he founded the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a national award that honors outstanding young people who help their communities or the environment. Each year, the award honors 25 inspiring, public-spirited kids from diverse backgrounds. Also, he produced a documentary film, Dream Big, profiling seven winners of the Barron Prize.
 
When not writing or speaking, T. A. Barron serves on many boards including Princeton University, where he helped to create the Princeton Environmental Institute, and The Wilderness Society, which recently honored him with its highest award for conservation work. T. A. Barron also loves hiking, camping, and skiing in Colorado with his family.
 
For more information, visit www.TABarron.com, Facebook www.facebook.com/TABarronFans/, Twitter https://twitter.com/TABarronAuthor, or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tabarronauthor.

View titles by T. A. Barron

Praise

* “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.

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