{"product_id":"the-long-hike-the-true-story-of-the-first-appalachian-thru-hike-9781665949941","title":"The Long Hike: The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike","description":"\u003cb\u003eAward-winning nonfiction creator Meghan McCarthy tells the\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e \"original, inspired account\" (\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e of Earl Shaffer, the first person to thru-hike all 2,000-plus miles of the Appalachian Trail in one hiking season in this empowering picture book.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhile serving in World War II, Earl Shaffer lost his best friend in combat. After the war ended, he returned home and set off on a hiking adventure to walk off his troubles and find solace in the beauty and \"power of nature,\" as he put it in his diary. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEarl didn't use a tent, preferring to sleep under the stars. He survived the cold, harsh rain, mud, blisters, steep mountaintops, and a plethora of bugs. But among the challenges, Earl also discovered wildlife, beautiful plants, and breathtaking views. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSince that first historic hike, Earl's story has inspired generations of people to quite literally follow in his footsteps. And now, utilizing snippets from Earl's diary and poetry, this book allows young readers to join Earl on that record-breaking hike.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Meghan McCarthy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Beach Lane Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/16\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 48\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.10lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.70h x 8.80w x 0.50d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781665949941\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAudience:\u003c\/b\u003e Ages 4-8\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2026 pg. 92\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBulletin of Ctr for Child Bks\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeghan McCarthy is the award-winning author and illustrator of many books for children, including \u003ci\u003eEarmuffs for Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eDaredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003ePop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eCity Hawk: The Story of Pale Male\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eSeabiscuit the Wonder Horse\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eAll That Trash\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eAction!\u003c\/i\u003e A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she lives in New York City. Visit her at Meghan-McCarthy.com.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Ingram","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59464503165214,"sku":"9781665949941","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/4247\/3502\/files\/9781665949941_8fafd196-6cc9-4b76-97aa-2bb1b58c9640.jpg?v=1781547411","url":"https:\/\/i55bookfairs.com\/products\/the-long-hike-the-true-story-of-the-first-appalachian-thru-hike-9781665949941","provider":"I55 Book Fairs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}