Peak
by Roland Smith
by Roland Smith
PEAK by Roland Smith
Category: Action-Adventure
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 5/1/07
Publisher: Harcourt
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 5 Stars
Have you ever wondered what inspires people to climb mountains? What drives some to the highest peaks? Fourteen-
year-old Peak Marcello was born to climb. Born to a couple of dedicated "rock rats," Peak has climbing in his blood.
Peak’s parents are divorced. He hasn’t heard from his father for years. Suddenly, after being arrested for illegally climbing
a skyscraper, Peak finds himself on his way to Kathmandu to join his dad, famous climber, Joshua Wood.
Forced to leave his mother, stepfather, and half-sisters behind, Peak has mixed feelings about the trip. It means spending
time in some of the best climbing territory in the world. It also means spending time with a man who never answered his
letters or bothered to get to know his own son.
Once Peak arrives in the neighborhood of Mt. Everest, the real plan becomes evident. Joshua Wood runs an
adventure/expedition company struggling to make ends meet. Taking the youngest ever person to the summit of Mt.
Everest would assure the continued success of his company. Peak is just the fourteen year old for the job. Can he survive
the brutal conditions and make it to the top? Will his father be able to protect him from the foreign authorities who have
other ideas about who should be allowed to climb in their country?
Peak Marcello is about to have the adventure of a lifetime. His mental as well as physical strength will be tested, and what
is truly important in life will be revealed.
Roland Smith, well-known for his adventure books, provides another great story for his fans. The struggle to survive on
Mt. Everest, in addition to the thrilling attempt to reach its summit, makes for some fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat
reading. I recommend PEAK for any teen collection.
Category: Action-Adventure
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 5/1/07
Publisher: Harcourt
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 5 Stars
Have you ever wondered what inspires people to climb mountains? What drives some to the highest peaks? Fourteen-
year-old Peak Marcello was born to climb. Born to a couple of dedicated "rock rats," Peak has climbing in his blood.
Peak’s parents are divorced. He hasn’t heard from his father for years. Suddenly, after being arrested for illegally climbing
a skyscraper, Peak finds himself on his way to Kathmandu to join his dad, famous climber, Joshua Wood.
Forced to leave his mother, stepfather, and half-sisters behind, Peak has mixed feelings about the trip. It means spending
time in some of the best climbing territory in the world. It also means spending time with a man who never answered his
letters or bothered to get to know his own son.
Once Peak arrives in the neighborhood of Mt. Everest, the real plan becomes evident. Joshua Wood runs an
adventure/expedition company struggling to make ends meet. Taking the youngest ever person to the summit of Mt.
Everest would assure the continued success of his company. Peak is just the fourteen year old for the job. Can he survive
the brutal conditions and make it to the top? Will his father be able to protect him from the foreign authorities who have
other ideas about who should be allowed to climb in their country?
Peak Marcello is about to have the adventure of a lifetime. His mental as well as physical strength will be tested, and what
is truly important in life will be revealed.
Roland Smith, well-known for his adventure books, provides another great story for his fans. The struggle to survive on
Mt. Everest, in addition to the thrilling attempt to reach its summit, makes for some fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat
reading. I recommend PEAK for any teen collection.