Critically acclaimed artist Jennifer Thermes’s picture book Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail is a true inspiring story. It is told with “beautiful illustrations and an emphasis on the value of nature, determination, and grit” (School Library Journal).

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

Grandma Gatewood hiked up ridges and down ravines. She just had the clothes on her back and a pair of thin canvas sneakers on her feet. She braved angry storms and witnessed breathtaking sunrises.

When things got particularly tough, she relied on the kindness of strangers or luck to get her through the night. Once newspapers got wind of her amazing adventure, the whole country cheered her. The end of her trek came just a few months after she set out.

A story of true grit and girl power at any age, Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail proves that no peak is insurmountable.