Facing the Mountain

by Wendy Orr

A gripping adventure of wilderness survival from the author of Nim's Island. Raven is over the moon when she is the first to get to the mountaintop on a trek with her sister and new stepfather. Reaching the summit is like standing on top of the exhilarating and breath-taking. But her triumph is short-lived when the earth starts shaking and she takes a terrible tumble down the side of the mountain. Terrified and injured, she stumbles around looking for her family, only to realize they are alive, but trapped in a cave, impossible to reach. Raven sets out alone to find help. But with no food, and danger lurking at every turn, how will she find her way back to civilization? In the tradition of Hatchet, Facing the Mountain is the captivating story of a young girl's incredible journey through unpredictable wilderness. Readers will be left breathless as Raven struggles to keep her wits about her and find the courage it takes to go on.

Genres: Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Survival

138 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

I’m an author, but I could never have started writing books if I hadn’t loved reading them first. Reading isn’t just one of my favourite things to do; it’s one of the most important things in my life. I can’t imagine a world in which I couldn’t read, every day. That’s why I always read to my children every day, just as my parents used to read to me. Stories can be exciting, sad, funny, scary or comforting, but the most amazing thing about them is that they take us into new worlds and teach us something more about ourselves, all at the same time.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven has moved with her sister Lily, her mum and stepfather Scott to Jenkins Creek – a mountainous area, far from their home in Cottonwood Bluffs.

After a long trek up the mountain with Scott and Lily, there is a rock slide and suddenly Raven is on her own in the wilderness.

Written by the author of Nim’s Island, Raven’s Mountain is a young girl reader's version of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet. Raven has to survive alone on the way down the mountain with very little resources.

This book kept me turning pages....

[Deborah Abela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily and her younger sister, Raven, have a new step dad, Scott and have just moved to a new home at Jenkins Creek where he grew up. They have left their Gram, their friends and the only place their real dad may ever come to look for them. Scott and the girls’ mum are determined they’re going to love their new home, so decide to take them on a mountain climbing adventure. At the last moment, their mum is called to work, leaving the two sisters and Scott on their own. It’s whilst climbing the mountain that a terrible accident happens and the young Raven has the task of descending the mountain on her own to find help. Surrounded by rugged wilderness, searing doubts and even a family of bears, Raven’s mind fills with the voices of her friends and her invisible dad, all encouraging her to make it to safety. She is hurt, tired and afraid and Wendy does a brilliant job of making the reader feel every moment of it, without ever slowing the pace. This is a great adventure story about the determination of one little girl to do all she can to save the people she loves.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simple adventure story which should appeal to readers in later primary, early secondary school Years. Wendy Orr is an Australian author who grew up in Canada and USA. She has chosen to set this story in the mountains of Colorado. Raven, a 12 yearold girl sets out on a hiking/camping trip with her older sister Lily and their new step-father, Scott. They plan to campout and climb one of the local mountains returning home after a couple of days in the wilderness getting to know the mountains where Scott grew up. But all does not go according to plan as just near the top of the mountain a rock fall separates Lily and Scott from Raven. Raven has to 'grow up' quickly and climb down the mountain, past a mother bear and her cubs, through deep dark forests and along chilly creeks to try to find Scott's truck in order to get help.

Orr builds suspense well with the story gradually unfolding through Raven's eyes. Certainly Raven rises to the challenge of having to navigate her way back down the mountain to achieve a rescue but not a great deal happens on her return trip. As a result I found the story enjoyable, and in parts quite exciting but at the end it seemed too neatly tied up.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the age of 10, Raven is not excited to have to move away from the only home she's ever known. Before starting her new school her stepfather takes her and sister on a hike that will change their lives. A rock slide traps her stepfather and sister and she must go for help alone.

I thought this was really written. I felt like I was right there with Raven, even if we probably would have made different choices about what/how to do things. Good lesson to remind kids of the impact they can have on the environment - Raven never considered that she could move a mountain.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart-stopping adventure as a preteen girl finds her way from the top of a mountain to civilization to get help for her trapped family after a rock slide. I especially liked the magical sightings of a white bear with a white cub. This is exactly the kind of survival story I would imagine myself being the heroine in, so I appreciated the rougher parts of her trek coupled with the fact that you know it's going to be wrapped up nicely because of the intended age group. And also the horse. The horse part was awesome.

[Conny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about how to overcome obstacles and discover your own strengths in times of trouble. Raven gets caught in a stone slide on top of a mountain and her sister and step-dad are trapped due to the avalanche. Now she must find the strength to make it down the mountain while hurt and without her glasses to get help. Beautifully written by Wendy Orr and a nice addition to any bookshelf.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant for preteen/early teen readers. It is a story of a 10-yr-old girl who finds herself alone on a mountain after a rockslide traps her sister and stepfather. She is their only hope for survival and has to overcome her own fears and perceived inadequacies to get help. By the author of Nim's Island. Well written and good story.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-known theme - surviving alone in the wilderness, rescuing others and oneself - yet a story unique in its own way as Raven must find a way to get help when a family mountain hike takes a tragic turn. I appreciated especially that the protagonist is a girl without any of the usual tools that in so many stories the main characters all too conveniently have on them when tragedy strikes.

[Corinne Fenton]

Raven's Mountain is a wonderful read, full of action, suspense and page-turning quality.

[Elizabeth Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, page turner. I can see why Liberty enjoyed it.

[Umaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Facing the mountain" is a realistic fiction novel, about a girl who goes hiking with her family and they face life threatening situations at the top of a mountain with zero help.
Raven and her family go on a family hiking trip in the Rockies, beautiful mountains with so much...to discover! When the reach the mountain everything seemed nice, until bears started approaching at the top of a waterfall and her dad and sister get trapped by a huge avalanche of snow bursting towards them with no where to go! All of this happening with only Raven being able to get help, she storms through the snowy mountains with more obstacles her way!
This book is very entertaining because it is realistic fiction, which means the plot feels very real with a bit of the impossible! I feel like realistic fiction novels like this one is one of the most interesting genres and it can never get old!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book! I don't love the wilderness survival genre in general but this one had me hooked. I had a hard time putting it down.

I loved the main character, loved her voice, and loved the way she talked to and encouraged herself when things were tough.

There were a few bits that seemed improbable, but I really really enjoyed it.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for professional review.

[Amanda Creith · Rating 4 out of 5]

i would recomand it

[Bob Large · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but a little over the top with the extreme survival situations: the girl comes across almost like a superhero.