
The Long Hike
The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike
Meghan Mccarthy(Author)
Beach Lane Books (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 16. June 2026
Book
Hardback
48 pages
978-1-6659-4994-1 (ISBN)
Description
Award-winning nonfiction creator Meghan McCarthy tells the “original, inspired account” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) 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.
While 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.
Earl 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.
Since 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.
While 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.
Earl 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.
Since 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.
More details
Language
English
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: Preschool, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 297 mm
Width: 224 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6659-4994-1 (9781665949941)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
approx. 06/2026
Beach Lane Books
€10.87
Not yet available
Persons
Meghan McCarthy is the award-winning author and illustrator of many books for children, including Earmuffs for Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs; Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton; Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum; City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male; Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse; All That Trash; and Action! A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she lives in New York City. Visit her at Meghan-McCarthy.com.