Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail

Emma Gatewood's life was far from easy. In rural Ohio, she managed a household of 11 kids alongside a less-than-supportive husband. One day, at age 67, she decided to go for a nice long walk . . . and ended up completing the Appalachian Trail.

With just the clothes on her back and a pair of thin canvas sneakers on her feet, Grandma Gatewood hiked up ridges and down ravines. She braved angry storms and witnessed breathtaking sunrises. When things got particularly tough, she relied on the kindness of strangers or sheer luck to get her through the night. When the newspapers got wind of her amazing adventure, the whole country cheered her on to the end of her trek, which came just a few months after she set out. A story of true grit and girl power at any age, Grandma Gatewood proves that no peak is insurmountable.

"Quite a few of the softly colored, cartoony, watercolor-and-colored pencil spreads will have readers packing their own backpacks, most notably those of McAfee Knob, the backwoods night sky, and the top of Katahdin . . . An inspiring story for readers of all ages and genders."--Kirkus Reviews

"Beautiful illustrations and an emphasis on the value of nature, determination, and grit make this a great nonfiction selection."--School Library Journal

"This story of determination is also an ode to the principle of walking down a road just to see what one can see."--Booklist

Jennifer Thermes is the children's book author and illustrator of Charles Darwin's Around-the-World Adventure and an accomplished map illustrator. She lives in Connecticut.