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The Hero's Trail: A Guide for a Heroic Life
Offers a look at ordinary children who have done incredible things with their young lives, such as battling prejudice at school and raising money to build a well in an African village.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2002
7 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
T.A. Barron
72 books1,310 followersT.A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country and traveled widely as a Rhodes Scholar. He is the winner of the de Grummond Medallion for “lifetime contribution to the field of children’s and young adult literature” and many other awards. T. A. Barron is the author of more than 30 highly acclaimed books, many of which are international bestsellers. They include The Lost Years of Merlin (now being developed into a feature film), 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 (nonfiction stories of courageous kids).
Though he’d dreamed as a young man of becoming a writer, he couldn’t find anyone to publish his first novel. He joined a successful business, eventually became president, then decided to try again. So in 1990, he surprised his business partners by moving back to Colorado to become a writer and conservationist.
In 2000, he founded a national award to honor outstanding young people who help their communities or the environment: the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which honors 25 highly diverse, public-spirited kids each year. He recently 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. His favorite pastime is hiking, camping, or skiing in Colorado with his family.
Though he’d dreamed as a young man of becoming a writer, he couldn’t find anyone to publish his first novel. He joined a successful business, eventually became president, then decided to try again. So in 1990, he surprised his business partners by moving back to Colorado to become a writer and conservationist.
In 2000, he founded a national award to honor outstanding young people who help their communities or the environment: the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which honors 25 highly diverse, public-spirited kids each year. He recently 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. His favorite pastime is hiking, camping, or skiing in Colorado with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 5, 2020
Great people to look up to and relate to.
March 11, 2015
So, our English teacher told us to pick a book to write a review on Goodreads... That's how it all started.I honestly never thought I would be reading this book because I don't like reading about how it was back then. But when I read it, I was like OMG THIS IS A GREAT BOOK WITH REALLY GOOD QUOTES AND MOTIVATION TOWARDS ANYTHING! The whole book talks about how you can be a good leader or hero without fame and looks. It taught me how you can't be successful by starting of with a simple task. Like turning in homework early or helping someone who is in need of help. I like how the story was written as if it was a journal. I loved how the author grabbed my attention by making the story easy and interesting enough for everyone to understand. The book honestly changed the way I look in life. I finally know that hard work comes from practice and faith towards what you believe in. It's not always easy to be the ideal hero but once you get the hang of it, it would be a regret... Even if it takes you forever to start your story.
June 7, 2009
This book had some wonderful things to say. I only wish that he had gone a little more thoroughly into some of the heroes lives. However, it was generally inspirational.
February 14, 2013
I did not like this book at all
HAD TO READ IN CLASS!!
It was boring:(
HAD TO READ IN CLASS!!
It was boring:(
July 23, 2024
This is a 3.5-star rating, rounded down chiefly due to the fact that I was not the proper audience. I appreciate Mr. Barron's observations, especially since he is a hero himself, he puts his money where his mouth is and does a great deal of good in the world. This book covers a lot of ground and introduces us to a lot of heroes in many different arenas and I loved that about it but I did repeatedly wish that I could get more. I will go in search of what I want to know on my own. This is a book written for a younger audience and what he offers is quite appropriate for his audience. This one would make for a powerful family discussion, either read aloud together or discussed while a child is reading it. It is full of food for thought.
"Lao-tzu, the Chinese philosopher, pointed out long ago that even the greatest journey begins with a single step. That is true, and well worth remembering. But frankly, I would have said it differently: Every journey begins with a single person. A hiker - and whatever inner qualities he or she brings to the trail."
"Satchel Page knew well the importance of humor. Through all his hardships, he lived by his motto: 'Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.'"
"Here is a marvelous thing about faith: It can coexist with doubt. It can even grow stronger in the face of doubt."
"But let's not forget how many aspects of this journey we share with others. Not just every person alive today, but with all those who have gone before and are yet to be born. Our fellow hikers give us company on the journey, and sometimes help along the way. For we are all walking the same trail."
"Black Elk, the great wise man of the Oglala Sioux, knew this. He crafted a famous prayer that celebrates our connection to one another, and to the living Earth that supports us: 'Hear me, four quarters of the world - a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft Earth, a relative to all that is.'"
"Whatever you take, you will someday lose. But whatever you give, you will always have."
"To improve the quality of the day. That is the highest of the arts." -Henry David Thoreau
Seven Qualities of Leadership: Courage, Faith, Perseverance, Hope, Humor, Adaptability, Moral Direction.
"The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes." -Marcel Proust
"Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life - is the source from which self-respect springs." -Joan Didion
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." -Albert Einstein
"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." -Diane Ackerman
"What is now proved was once only imagined." -William Blake
"Lao-tzu, the Chinese philosopher, pointed out long ago that even the greatest journey begins with a single step. That is true, and well worth remembering. But frankly, I would have said it differently: Every journey begins with a single person. A hiker - and whatever inner qualities he or she brings to the trail."
"Satchel Page knew well the importance of humor. Through all his hardships, he lived by his motto: 'Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.'"
"Here is a marvelous thing about faith: It can coexist with doubt. It can even grow stronger in the face of doubt."
"But let's not forget how many aspects of this journey we share with others. Not just every person alive today, but with all those who have gone before and are yet to be born. Our fellow hikers give us company on the journey, and sometimes help along the way. For we are all walking the same trail."
"Black Elk, the great wise man of the Oglala Sioux, knew this. He crafted a famous prayer that celebrates our connection to one another, and to the living Earth that supports us: 'Hear me, four quarters of the world - a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft Earth, a relative to all that is.'"
"Whatever you take, you will someday lose. But whatever you give, you will always have."
"To improve the quality of the day. That is the highest of the arts." -Henry David Thoreau
Seven Qualities of Leadership: Courage, Faith, Perseverance, Hope, Humor, Adaptability, Moral Direction.
"The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes." -Marcel Proust
"Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life - is the source from which self-respect springs." -Joan Didion
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." -Albert Einstein
"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." -Diane Ackerman
"What is now proved was once only imagined." -William Blake
March 11, 2019
The Hero's Trail. Like a hiking trail, the author writes, we begin one place and end up another, usually more better, lovelier place. This book, then, is your guide to the hero's trail.
If you are well-read in this subject, you may get tired of the extra examples used to illustrate one particular quality. One is enough if you are already familiar with the quality, such as
courage, he is describing. Furthermore, the second half of the book seems more like a trail going backwards. It is not as good as the first half. His conclusion about having a problem with economist labeling people as 'consumers' just seems like lazy thinking. He believes that economist should be calling people creators. His view that we should be creators could have been expressed better without the need to mention what jargon economist use.
The author is primary an author of children books and for this book he also seems to be writing for a children audience. So if you are expecting the author to go any deeper than a rain puddle then you should look elsewhere. But, on the other hand, if you are someone in need of an introduction to heroism or, if you are already well-read on the subject but need some motivation then this book is a great, quick read.
If you are well-read in this subject, you may get tired of the extra examples used to illustrate one particular quality. One is enough if you are already familiar with the quality, such as
courage, he is describing. Furthermore, the second half of the book seems more like a trail going backwards. It is not as good as the first half. His conclusion about having a problem with economist labeling people as 'consumers' just seems like lazy thinking. He believes that economist should be calling people creators. His view that we should be creators could have been expressed better without the need to mention what jargon economist use.
The author is primary an author of children books and for this book he also seems to be writing for a children audience. So if you are expecting the author to go any deeper than a rain puddle then you should look elsewhere. But, on the other hand, if you are someone in need of an introduction to heroism or, if you are already well-read on the subject but need some motivation then this book is a great, quick read.
November 2, 2015
T. A. Barron takes readers on a mountain hike that is unlike any trail they have ever encountered. This climb is not about testing physical abilities or enjoying the view. This special path leads readers to the heights of true heroism. But that footpath needs to be strictly defined. The media is confusing youth with false tracks leading them to think that famous celebrities are real heroes. With Barron’s guiding hand, readers traverse a well-trodden, safe route showcasing the attributes of both past, present, and fictional heroes. These attributes are courage, perseverance, generosity, compassion, and hope. With each section of the road readers trek, they meet countless individuals whose inspiriting stories bring enlightenment, direction, and definition to the hero’s trail.
Barron’s story is a timely, motivational book that will have readers asking themselves how they can be genuine heroes to their families, friends, community, or to the world. There are heroes many readers would recognize like Abraham Lincoln, Jane Goodall, Lou Gehrig, Helen Keller, and Anna Frank. But most of the stories Barron uses are of unknown young people who saw a need and stood up to make a difference even in the face of physical limitations or negative criticism. Originally published in 2002, Barron has revised and updated his book to include current youth who are making a difference today. A great resource for teachers, librarians, and parents to illustrate how anyone and can make great strides on the hero’s path.
(Found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
Barron’s story is a timely, motivational book that will have readers asking themselves how they can be genuine heroes to their families, friends, community, or to the world. There are heroes many readers would recognize like Abraham Lincoln, Jane Goodall, Lou Gehrig, Helen Keller, and Anna Frank. But most of the stories Barron uses are of unknown young people who saw a need and stood up to make a difference even in the face of physical limitations or negative criticism. Originally published in 2002, Barron has revised and updated his book to include current youth who are making a difference today. A great resource for teachers, librarians, and parents to illustrate how anyone and can make great strides on the hero’s path.
(Found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
June 18, 2010
I have to admit that I like the *theory* behind this book better than I like the actual book: I think that T.A. Barron is doing amazing things to encourage and empower kids and teens, and this book puts those accomplishments into words. If I were truthful in rating just the book, I'd give it 3 stars, but when I combine the book with T.A. Barron's vision and achievement with the Barron Prize (a 5 star achievement), the overall rating becomes a 4 star affair.
October 22, 2012
I don't usually cry when I read books. This one book made me cry my heart out. The stories are just amazing. To me personally, this is the one of the best book of all time.... We find celebrities like singers, our heroes today. This book shows the people who were true heroes in the world. They are the role models to me. "Whatever you are, be a good one."- Abraham Lincoln
August 16, 2011
Even though this is a book written for children, it gives an amazing list of people who exemplify "hero". Their stories mix with the author's insights to show how the brave acts of each person make the world a better place. He shows the kinds of attributes one needs to be a "hero".
August 19, 2012
These inspiring, motivational stories incorporate a wide range of real and fictional heroes. While well known stories such as Anne Frank and Helen Keller are told, also included are local and lesser known heroes whose struggles and triumphs are no less impressive.
December 5, 2012
Much as I love T.A. Barron's Young Merlin series (I've not read his other books yet)
this wan't quite my thing. I picked it up and read it mostly because I recognized the author and not because of the contents of the book, so I can't say I'm surprised.
this wan't quite my thing. I picked it up and read it mostly because I recognized the author and not because of the contents of the book, so I can't say I'm surprised.
February 17, 2013
I love this book. It tells the qualities that makes each and everyone of us heroes and stories that are so heroic and encouraging. If you're looking for a light read, this book is for you!
July 15, 2015
WOW Heroes exist! How many different ways can I say this? Lemme think: synonyms, synonyms...
-T.A. Barron
-T.A. Barron
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews