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Everest #3
The Summit
The height of danger.
The height of competition.
The height of the world.
Four kids are prepared to go into thin air in order to become the youngest person ever to climb Everest. But they are not prepared for the challenges that await them as they get closer to the summit. Supplies are low. Conditions are extreme. One of the kids is trying to sabotage the others.
And then the storm hits. . . .
The height of competition.
The height of the world.
Four kids are prepared to go into thin air in order to become the youngest person ever to climb Everest. But they are not prepared for the challenges that await them as they get closer to the summit. Supplies are low. Conditions are extreme. One of the kids is trying to sabotage the others.
And then the storm hits. . . .
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
43 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Korman
248 books4,402 followersGordon Korman is a Canadian author of children's and young adult fiction books. Korman's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide over a career spanning four decades and have appeared at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
October 7, 2022
Everest is one of my most favorite real world topics, and Gordon Korman is my most favorite middle-grade fiction writer. Combine these two, and what we get is a nonstop breathtaking, nailbiting, edge-of-seat suspense filled jawdropping, awe-inspiring, positively thrilling Everest expedition centered around a team of thirteen to fifteen years old teenagers to achieve the youngest ever Everest summit bid. Whether or not they could actually achieve this almost impossible feat and if so who among them could do that is another thing entirely. And let's not forget, getting up to the top is only half the battle, you have to come down safely too. With all of Korman's usual brilliance in creating and developing interesting characters, flawless gripping storytelling and unpredictable plot developments, which blended with gasp-inducing vivid details of every noteworthy minute description along the South route towards the Everest summit, this trilogy was a match made in heaven for me!
The Everest Trilogy was more like a one single large book in three parts than three different stories... the first one was about the grueling boot camp contest of initial twenty teenagers to ultimate four, the second one was about the ascent from Kathmandu to Everest Death Zone at 25,000 ft plus, and this final one was about at last reaching to that illusive Everest summit at 29,000 ft plus and then trying to get back down against all odds.
After finishing the trilogy the only word I can describe my feeling right now is: Haunting. I could almost SEE in my mind's eye that whole perilous, ill-fated, terrifying journey throughout alongside the climbers, and just because they were kids didn't mean mighty Mt. Everest was not going show its usual disdain for human life and human body to them. Korman didn't skip on any vicious scenarios or sheer horror of how much inhospitable the climbing path and the Death Zone altitude can be, be it to an adult or (especially) a young boy or girl. And in the end, a kid did actually die on the Death Zone (not a spoiler, it was mentioned at the very beginning of the trilogy, just not who). That death was such a shocking, heartbreaking, horrific fate for a kid! I commend Mr. Korman to have the balls to go through it, to show crystal clearly how punishing and disastrous Everest ascension can be, not to mention unpredictable, when just a little something goes wrong.
I hoped an Everest expedition adventure of teenagers written by the master of middle-grade fiction Gordon Korman could be good, but honestly, I never expected it to be THIS good.
Part 2: The Climb, 4.5 out of 5;
Part 3: The Summit, 5 out of 5.
The Everest Trilogy was more like a one single large book in three parts than three different stories... the first one was about the grueling boot camp contest of initial twenty teenagers to ultimate four, the second one was about the ascent from Kathmandu to Everest Death Zone at 25,000 ft plus, and this final one was about at last reaching to that illusive Everest summit at 29,000 ft plus and then trying to get back down against all odds.
After finishing the trilogy the only word I can describe my feeling right now is: Haunting. I could almost SEE in my mind's eye that whole perilous, ill-fated, terrifying journey throughout alongside the climbers, and just because they were kids didn't mean mighty Mt. Everest was not going show its usual disdain for human life and human body to them. Korman didn't skip on any vicious scenarios or sheer horror of how much inhospitable the climbing path and the Death Zone altitude can be, be it to an adult or (especially) a young boy or girl. And in the end, a kid did actually die on the Death Zone (not a spoiler, it was mentioned at the very beginning of the trilogy, just not who). That death was such a shocking, heartbreaking, horrific fate for a kid! I commend Mr. Korman to have the balls to go through it, to show crystal clearly how punishing and disastrous Everest ascension can be, not to mention unpredictable, when just a little something goes wrong.
I hoped an Everest expedition adventure of teenagers written by the master of middle-grade fiction Gordon Korman could be good, but honestly, I never expected it to be THIS good.
If kids were going to attempt Everest, it stood to reason that sooner or later one of them would perish on the mountain.
He was staring at this mountain he knew so well as if he had never laid eyes on it before. What are we doing here? What’s the point of it all? What kind of people are we if we think it’s worth this sacrifice to stand on the summit and take pictures with frozen fingers?Part 1: The Contest, 4 out of 5;
Part 2: The Climb, 4.5 out of 5;
Part 3: The Summit, 5 out of 5.
December 16, 2018
December 2018: This is still really good. I love it when books hold up. Everest is about single-mindedness and determination - and beating the odds - and extreme danger - and there’s so much humanity in it. It’s impressive. Also, I don’t know what I was thinking my last reread: this is hilarious. In a better way than intentional comedy, because it’s everyday humor - Cap being “the unfairest of them all”, Nestor and his slinky, the psych reports - I laughed a lot. And I cared a lot. And I marveled at the ending, which is just as gutsy as I remembered it being way back when I first read this.
April 2013: I'd forgotten how much I like this series. It's really one story divided into three books for some inexplicable reason, and the novels' weak points are the clunky recaps in books 2 and 3 along with clunky foreshadowing probably meant to compel readers to purchase the sequels. Overall, though, this is a really strong story about drive and competition among athletes. It isn't really funny, which I usually expect from a Korman book, but it's smart and intense and moving.
April 2013: I'd forgotten how much I like this series. It's really one story divided into three books for some inexplicable reason, and the novels' weak points are the clunky recaps in books 2 and 3 along with clunky foreshadowing probably meant to compel readers to purchase the sequels. Overall, though, this is a really strong story about drive and competition among athletes. It isn't really funny, which I usually expect from a Korman book, but it's smart and intense and moving.
May 11, 2015
**Series book 3**
YES!! This series was amazing. I loved this adventure series. This book was like no other that I have read and the concept is still awesome and exciting for being over ten years old. I had mentioned in my review of the first book that I would read this to second through fourth grade. After reading the finally, I would reconsider this. I would still allow them to read it if they wanted but as far as a read aloud, I would probably consider it for fourth or fifth grade. I think that students are aware of death (oops did I spoil something) and the risks that climbing Mt. Everest would present, and so therefore I think it would still be appropriate for students who are able to read it.
The story wraps up in a surprising way. Korman hinted at the fact that someone would not survive, but the way at which it happens and WHO might surprise you. Korman does a wonderful job of describing Everest, not that I have been there, but what you could imagine it to be like. His description of the climb and of death is really well done.
I give the third book five stars. This entire series is so great and full of adventure. I am excited to share this with future students!
YES!! This series was amazing. I loved this adventure series. This book was like no other that I have read and the concept is still awesome and exciting for being over ten years old. I had mentioned in my review of the first book that I would read this to second through fourth grade. After reading the finally, I would reconsider this. I would still allow them to read it if they wanted but as far as a read aloud, I would probably consider it for fourth or fifth grade. I think that students are aware of death (oops did I spoil something) and the risks that climbing Mt. Everest would present, and so therefore I think it would still be appropriate for students who are able to read it.
The story wraps up in a surprising way. Korman hinted at the fact that someone would not survive, but the way at which it happens and WHO might surprise you. Korman does a wonderful job of describing Everest, not that I have been there, but what you could imagine it to be like. His description of the climb and of death is really well done.
I give the third book five stars. This entire series is so great and full of adventure. I am excited to share this with future students!
December 16, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed rereading this series. It was a nostalgic trip back and it definitely holds up, but in different ways. Still, I'm happy I reread it; maybe it will sate my Everest deep dive for a while? This book is where Things Get Real, as a storm kicks in high on top of the mountain and half the people there are kids. Everest is a deadly mountain, and this book proves it.
I know this would never happen as it's a kid's book, but I would have been really interested to see what happened after the series ended.
If anyone wants to know more about Everest - and certainly a happier story - there's the story of the youngest person to summit, Jordan Romero, at thirteen years old, so this story is actually frighteningly plausible. He wrote a book about being the youngest to conquer the Seven Summits, which I'll definitely be picking up. And his record is locked in, because climbing permits have an age restriction of 16 on the Nepal side and 18 in China, so there's no chance of anyone younger summiting Everest. The more you know!
I know this would never happen as it's a kid's book, but I would have been really interested to see what happened after the series ended.
If anyone wants to know more about Everest - and certainly a happier story - there's the story of the youngest person to summit, Jordan Romero, at thirteen years old, so this story is actually frighteningly plausible. He wrote a book about being the youngest to conquer the Seven Summits, which I'll definitely be picking up. And his record is locked in, because climbing permits have an age restriction of 16 on the Nepal side and 18 in China, so there's no chance of anyone younger summiting Everest. The more you know!
August 22, 2021
Fun to bring on the nostalgia reading this series again as an adult - still holds up!
July 14, 2010
I think gordan korman is an extrordinary writer. The last book was so suspensful that i wanted to read it all day. He somtimes even got me speaking to the book like say " nooooooo dont do it".
August 5, 2021
Have you ever revisited a childhood favourite series? That’s what I’ve done with the books of Gordon Kerman’s adventure series, Everest, which concludes with its 3rd book, appropriately titled, “The Summit”
Our 4 climbers are closer than ever to their goal of being the youngest to summit Everest, with all the fame, fortune and accolades that such an achievement deserves, but a storm threatens to derail the plan entirely, and our 4 climbers are caught in the middle. As torrential conditions swirl around them, they have to dig deeper than ever before and evaluate exactly how far they’re willing to go, both morally and altitude-wise. After all, only one of them can become the youngest to reach the summit, and it’s ever climber for themselves.
This was both a thrilling and somewhat bittersweet final book to the series, and the series as a whole has been a quick but excellent and enjoyable read! I really felt immersed, like I was on Everest. I could almost feel the thinness of the air, and the biting cold through the page.
As I’ve said in a review of one of the earlier books in this series, Gordon Korman is a master storyteller and there’s enough action-packed adventure in this series for anyone to enjoy!
Our 4 climbers are closer than ever to their goal of being the youngest to summit Everest, with all the fame, fortune and accolades that such an achievement deserves, but a storm threatens to derail the plan entirely, and our 4 climbers are caught in the middle. As torrential conditions swirl around them, they have to dig deeper than ever before and evaluate exactly how far they’re willing to go, both morally and altitude-wise. After all, only one of them can become the youngest to reach the summit, and it’s ever climber for themselves.
This was both a thrilling and somewhat bittersweet final book to the series, and the series as a whole has been a quick but excellent and enjoyable read! I really felt immersed, like I was on Everest. I could almost feel the thinness of the air, and the biting cold through the page.
As I’ve said in a review of one of the earlier books in this series, Gordon Korman is a master storyteller and there’s enough action-packed adventure in this series for anyone to enjoy!
May 11, 2022
Can't recommend these three books enough, a simple read, especially for young adults. It's inspiring, and if you're into mountaineering, a nice change of pace.
December 30, 2024
I predicted it
February 4, 2019
This book in my opinion was very bad the plot made no sense I could never relate to the characters this book did not make me sad or happy.But it is my fault because I did not read the series.But if I did read the series it would most likely not change my opinion.Also this book was not my most favorite genera but it was kind of close and that is why I was very disappointed in the book.Also the book did not give lots of detail (most likely did in the first book.)but it did not do a good job telling about the environment.This book was so bad nobody should read it.
March 19, 2010
The last installment in Gordon Korman's Everest series begins with thirteen-year-old Dominic Alexis on the cusp of setting a world record and achieving a lifelong dream: he's about to summit Mount Everest, the world's tallest and most challenging mountain.
Along the way, he's overcome many obstacles: his age, the fear of others that he's too young and too small to do this, and the physical difficulties of the altitude and the mountain. He's made a few friends: the Sherpas, his team leader, Cap Cicero; and the world's top young mountaineer, Ethan Zaph. He's also made an enemy: Tilt Crowley, who wants the title of youngest to summit Everest for himself. Tilt is older, bigger, and stronger, and he's determined to win.
Korman has done an excellent job of building tension and anticipation throughout the series up to the moment of truth: who will be the youngest ever to climb Everest? And he also began the series with a funeral. We know that one of the climbers is going to die, and we finally get to find out who that climber is.
Throughout the series, Korman also did a surprisingly good job of giving some depth to his characters; more so than I'd expect in a short, goofy series like this. Perry Noonan is an interesting one. His rich uncle funds all of Perry's climbing. He's actually scared to death of climbing, but it's the one common interest that he has with his uncle, whom he loves. He figures his uncle will be crushed if he doesn't carry out this dream, and so he's torn between his legitimate fear of dying and his love for his uncle and desire to please him.
Then, there's Tilt Crowley. Tilt's been a bully from the beginning, but it's hard not to feel bad for the guy when you discover that he grew up in poverty and desperately needs the exposure and money from climbing to support himself and his family. He's willing to take desperate measures to get what he wants out of his climbing career. We can see that he has twinges of conscience here and there, but will he do the right thing when it really counts?
And then we've got our A plot: Dominic's quest to climb Everest. The Nepalese government is doing their best to prevent him from going because of the bad press they're getting (thanks, in part, to Tilt, who's been feeding sensationalist stories to a tabloid back home) for letting a mere child try to climb Everest.
All in all, this is one of the better adventure series out in children's lit today. The action is suspenseful and entertaining, and there's a surprising level of depth to the characters.
And, now, you must excuse me while I go and Google pictures of Everest.
Along the way, he's overcome many obstacles: his age, the fear of others that he's too young and too small to do this, and the physical difficulties of the altitude and the mountain. He's made a few friends: the Sherpas, his team leader, Cap Cicero; and the world's top young mountaineer, Ethan Zaph. He's also made an enemy: Tilt Crowley, who wants the title of youngest to summit Everest for himself. Tilt is older, bigger, and stronger, and he's determined to win.
Korman has done an excellent job of building tension and anticipation throughout the series up to the moment of truth: who will be the youngest ever to climb Everest? And he also began the series with a funeral. We know that one of the climbers is going to die, and we finally get to find out who that climber is.
Throughout the series, Korman also did a surprisingly good job of giving some depth to his characters; more so than I'd expect in a short, goofy series like this. Perry Noonan is an interesting one. His rich uncle funds all of Perry's climbing. He's actually scared to death of climbing, but it's the one common interest that he has with his uncle, whom he loves. He figures his uncle will be crushed if he doesn't carry out this dream, and so he's torn between his legitimate fear of dying and his love for his uncle and desire to please him.
Then, there's Tilt Crowley. Tilt's been a bully from the beginning, but it's hard not to feel bad for the guy when you discover that he grew up in poverty and desperately needs the exposure and money from climbing to support himself and his family. He's willing to take desperate measures to get what he wants out of his climbing career. We can see that he has twinges of conscience here and there, but will he do the right thing when it really counts?
And then we've got our A plot: Dominic's quest to climb Everest. The Nepalese government is doing their best to prevent him from going because of the bad press they're getting (thanks, in part, to Tilt, who's been feeding sensationalist stories to a tabloid back home) for letting a mere child try to climb Everest.
All in all, this is one of the better adventure series out in children's lit today. The action is suspenseful and entertaining, and there's a surprising level of depth to the characters.
And, now, you must excuse me while I go and Google pictures of Everest.
May 13, 2014
Kevin O’Neil
The book I read for this report was The Summit, by Gordon Korman. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend because of the action, cliff-hangers, and because of the suspense.
The first reason that I would recommend this book to my friends was because of the action. One quote that I found with action in it was on page 68, “At the last second, he saw in the light of his helmet lamp the icy rock outcropping that swung to meet him. The torch shattered. The universe went dark.” Another quote that I found with action in it was on page 126, “Zaph and the shrimp could be anywhere, scattered over hundreds of millions of square feet of snow obscured mountain. Was there really any chance of ever finding them?’ This quote is an example of action because these two kids are trying to get down from Mt. Everest all alone with no help.
The second reason that I would recommend this book was because of the cliff hangers. The first quote that I found was on page 121, “And then the beam of his helmet lamp shone on snow covered ground-sixty feet straight down.” This quote is an example of a cliffhanger because Ethan and Dominic don’t know where to go or how to get down the sixty foot ledge of ice. The second quote I found is on page 142, “A team of Shepras ascended to 27,000 feet to look for Dominic and Ethan. They found the high camp deserted. There was no sign of anyone being there for at least a week.”
My third, and final, reason why I would recommend this book is because of the suspense. The first quote that I found was on page 115, “The peak of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain on Earth, fell into darkness as the sun dipped farther beneath the horizon. Soon it would be Everest’s turn. Several hundred feet below them, the sullen gray clouds of the storm began to wrap around the base of the summit pyramid.” This quote was suspenseful because the reader is wondering if they will even live to see the sun. The second quote I found was on page 103, “Hang in there, Shrimp! I’M coming to get you! No one saw him hit the snowy slope he was moving so fast that he was soon out of sight among the lengthening shadows.”
These are the three reasons why I would recommend this book. If you read this book, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. This was one of the best books I have ever read about Mt. Everest. So go read The Summit!
The book I read for this report was The Summit, by Gordon Korman. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend because of the action, cliff-hangers, and because of the suspense.
The first reason that I would recommend this book to my friends was because of the action. One quote that I found with action in it was on page 68, “At the last second, he saw in the light of his helmet lamp the icy rock outcropping that swung to meet him. The torch shattered. The universe went dark.” Another quote that I found with action in it was on page 126, “Zaph and the shrimp could be anywhere, scattered over hundreds of millions of square feet of snow obscured mountain. Was there really any chance of ever finding them?’ This quote is an example of action because these two kids are trying to get down from Mt. Everest all alone with no help.
The second reason that I would recommend this book was because of the cliff hangers. The first quote that I found was on page 121, “And then the beam of his helmet lamp shone on snow covered ground-sixty feet straight down.” This quote is an example of a cliffhanger because Ethan and Dominic don’t know where to go or how to get down the sixty foot ledge of ice. The second quote I found is on page 142, “A team of Shepras ascended to 27,000 feet to look for Dominic and Ethan. They found the high camp deserted. There was no sign of anyone being there for at least a week.”
My third, and final, reason why I would recommend this book is because of the suspense. The first quote that I found was on page 115, “The peak of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain on Earth, fell into darkness as the sun dipped farther beneath the horizon. Soon it would be Everest’s turn. Several hundred feet below them, the sullen gray clouds of the storm began to wrap around the base of the summit pyramid.” This quote was suspenseful because the reader is wondering if they will even live to see the sun. The second quote I found was on page 103, “Hang in there, Shrimp! I’M coming to get you! No one saw him hit the snowy slope he was moving so fast that he was soon out of sight among the lengthening shadows.”
These are the three reasons why I would recommend this book. If you read this book, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. This was one of the best books I have ever read about Mt. Everest. So go read The Summit!
April 6, 2010
Everest #3: The Summit, by Gordon Korman
"The Summit" finishes the Everest trilogy, an explosive, action-packed tale of four youngsters who are trying to be the youngest climbers ever to summit Everest.
The competition between Dominic, Perry, Sammi, and Tilt was fierce in the previous two books, but now it's even more cutthroat. Readers know that Tilt will stop at nothing to be the youngest climber on Everest, and for him to do that, Dominic must be stopped. In his sabotage, Tilt violates every unwritten rule of mountain climbing...but will he do the right thing when it counts?
Throughout the trilogy, Korman hinted at one of the climbers not surviving the mountain, and I was surprised at who stayed on Everest; I definitely didn't see it coming. I won't spoil it for other readers, but I think others may be surprised as well.
I really enjoyed "The Summit;" Korman has a talent for describing terse and dangerous situations. I admit, I'm a little tempted to strap on some crampons myself and try some climbing, thanks to what I read. My one complaint is that I would like a little more detail on some of the climbing gear, as some items are never described, such as pitons or climbing harnesses. I would've liked a mental picture to add to my imagining of the difficulty in conquering Everest.
5/5.
"The Summit" finishes the Everest trilogy, an explosive, action-packed tale of four youngsters who are trying to be the youngest climbers ever to summit Everest.
The competition between Dominic, Perry, Sammi, and Tilt was fierce in the previous two books, but now it's even more cutthroat. Readers know that Tilt will stop at nothing to be the youngest climber on Everest, and for him to do that, Dominic must be stopped. In his sabotage, Tilt violates every unwritten rule of mountain climbing...but will he do the right thing when it counts?
Throughout the trilogy, Korman hinted at one of the climbers not surviving the mountain, and I was surprised at who stayed on Everest; I definitely didn't see it coming. I won't spoil it for other readers, but I think others may be surprised as well.
I really enjoyed "The Summit;" Korman has a talent for describing terse and dangerous situations. I admit, I'm a little tempted to strap on some crampons myself and try some climbing, thanks to what I read. My one complaint is that I would like a little more detail on some of the climbing gear, as some items are never described, such as pitons or climbing harnesses. I would've liked a mental picture to add to my imagining of the difficulty in conquering Everest.
5/5.
July 13, 2019
I love this book series. I reread it basically every year. It never gets old. I read Korman's Island BoxsetIsland Boxset as a kid and it stayed with me vividly for years. One day I was chatting about favourite books with a friend and they mentioned they liked Island, but Everest was better. I was skeptical, but decided to try it. I did not think Island could be topped. I was pleasantly surprised.
Also, I have to say, as a rock climber this makes me want to go climbing so badly every time I read it. I've read a lot of mountaineering books and Korman is well-researched and relatively accurate. There's some bits that are less likely in real life, but that's fiction for you.
Also, I have to say, as a rock climber this makes me want to go climbing so badly every time I read it. I've read a lot of mountaineering books and Korman is well-researched and relatively accurate. There's some bits that are less likely in real life, but that's fiction for you.
August 19, 2012
This last book was terribly good. Bad good. What happened to.... Was so, so, traumitizing. I have an active imagination, so the death scene was SO vivid and terrifying, I've had nightmares about it and still think about it months later. The writing made you feel like you were the one dying, feeling the warmth that would kill you, the pain and cold slipping away, thinking you'll take a little nap on Mt. Everest, thinking you'll wake up soon or later; but you never will. DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART. I guess this is a good series in the sense that you won't forget them. 4 stars because I was too upset. I couldn't even look back at the other parts of friendship and good times to give it 5 stars. The death(s) overshadowed the happiness. Still love this author.
Read
May 6, 2013This book is about a group of guys that want to clim mount Everest and there is a kid that would be the youngest ever to clim mount Everest. Gordan Korman made a good choose on having moltaple books because It made the readers what to read more of the series because of the cliff hangers. When I was reading the first and second books I was wondering if the group was going to survive Everest. The books were very exciting but the third book was very sad and you have to read the books to find out. This book series overall was one of my favorites. The book is detailed and you acally care a lot about the charactors because you read so much about them that you now how they feel and how they are. The people that would like this book is action and advanture. I really injoyed this series of books.
November 17, 2013
This was a good book. It is the final book of the Everest series. In this story four young climbers are ready to take another crack at the mighty Everest after their first summit bid was a failure. After some rest the climbers are pumped and ready to go. The only problem is that the climbing season is almost over, so it is extremely hard to find good weather conditions for climbing on the mountain. Finally the climbers get there chance. They hear that the skies will be clear for the next couple days. Will they use some common sense when climbing or will their determination take over? Read this book to find out what happens to these climbers in the Death Zone.
October 30, 2022
This was a very satisfactory ending to the series, with all of the characters getting the perfect ending for them. Perry had his moment in the spotlight, and wow did he shine. Tilt had a great character arc in this one, with the motivations built up in the last two books really paying off. I actually felt sympathetic towards him and that was something I didn't think would happen. The last chapter made me nearly tear up, and I could almost hear the inspirational music and camera angles of mountains during the epilogue, which worked in this book's favour. Just a really fun book with some surprising emotional moments.
July 29, 2025
This book was originally published in 2002 and was last published in 2013. Though there are a couple different versions of the cover of book one, one in brown and the current in blue. According to Goodreads there are 25 editions of the first volume in this series, including editions in English, French, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish editions listed. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read over 90 of his books including this volume, a few of them more than once. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. I am over half way thorough his canon, and have completed all the stand alone books and am now just working my way through the remaining series. Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged, and I am always entertained. My son, who is 17 often, reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them.
One description of this volume states:
“A thrilling adventure trilogy from Gordon Korman that follows a group of young climbers to the top of Mt. Everest!
The height of the world. Four kids are prepared to go into thin air. Each one of them could break a record if they reach the top. And each one of them knows that standing at the summit is only half the battle-they'll still have to come back down to earth. None of them is prepared for the challenges that await them as they get closer to the summit. Conditions are extreme. Supplies are low. The temperature is far below zero. And one of the kids is trying to sabotage the others. And then the storm hits...”
another states:
“Four kids. One mountain.
Four kids are prepared to go into thin air in order to become the youngest person ever to climb Everest. But they are not prepared for the challenges that await them as they get closer to the summit. Supplies are low. Conditions are extreme. One of the kids is trying to sabotage the others...”
The story begins with a prologue. That prologue begins with:
“The wind pounced on them above twenty-five thousand feet.
As the youngest expedition in Everest history scrambled up the Geneva Spur, the onslaught began — overpowering, unpredictable gusts that threatened to pluck the climbers off the mountain and hurl them into space.
Amazingly, this was nothing new to them. This was the second time the team had stood atop the Spur, a mammoth club of decaying black rock in the infamous Death Zone high on Everest. Their last summit bid had been scuttled when they’d been called away to perform a daring high-altitude rescue. For two very long weeks, the SummitQuest climbers had waited at Base Camp, begging fate for the weather to offer a second chance at the peak.
Now they had it. And, as team leader Cap Cicero put it, “We’re not going to let a little breeze get in our way.”.”
It concludes with:
“Cicero’s confident stance belied an inner concern: If the blow’s this bad here, it’s bound to be murderous higher up.
Normally, conditions like this would have sent a team back to Base Camp to wait for better weather. But it was the twenty-first of May, very late in the climbing season. Any day, Everest’s summer monsoon could begin, effectively shutting down the mountain. They climbed now because they could not be sure they would get another chance.
The team leader had no way of knowing that summer would come late that year. Nor could he have foreseen that, before Everest slipped into the monsoon, it would claim the life of one of his young climbers.”
From the very beginning of book one we know this is a tragic tale, and we are reminded again with the prologue of the first two instalments. This story is a hard read. Korman delves deeper into human nature than a lot of his works. It is true a team member is playing a game against them all. He is doing it to get the glory for himself and set himself up for life. But when things go sideways he grows a conscience and puts himself at great risk to try and reverse his earlier mistake.
The main events in this instalment of the series are various attempts to summit Everest, the issues encountered and the conflict within the team and across teams. It becomes a fight for survival with 5 people out on the mountain after dark and a killer storm rushing in, visibility is down, temperatures have dropped and 1 team is trying an unknown route down, 1 team is searching and the fifth is lost after his own solo attempted search.
It is a strong conclusion to the story in the adventure story of the four young climbers that young readers will love. I am in my mid-fifties and I am loved it. This series is published as three short works; it is also published in an omnibus edition with all three stories in 1 volume. Unfortunately that 3 in1 edition is out of print and it looks like it was never released as an eBook. What I like about the shorter versions, is they are great for the classroom, or reluctant readers. This volume is another short read, it really grabs your attention, and draws you in, and it leaves you desperate for the final piece of the story. As mentioned this is one of a few series written around the same time, in a similar format. If you love it check ou the Dive, Island, or Titanic series as well.
A great read from Korman’s masterful pen.
I still have 15 books from series left to read to have completed the canon of Korman’s works. I am grateful I finally gave this series a read; I look forward to the final offering in the trilogy, and finishing the other 3 trilogies as well. It is an intense read in an exciting series!
One description of this volume states:
“A thrilling adventure trilogy from Gordon Korman that follows a group of young climbers to the top of Mt. Everest!
The height of the world. Four kids are prepared to go into thin air. Each one of them could break a record if they reach the top. And each one of them knows that standing at the summit is only half the battle-they'll still have to come back down to earth. None of them is prepared for the challenges that await them as they get closer to the summit. Conditions are extreme. Supplies are low. The temperature is far below zero. And one of the kids is trying to sabotage the others. And then the storm hits...”
another states:
“Four kids. One mountain.
Four kids are prepared to go into thin air in order to become the youngest person ever to climb Everest. But they are not prepared for the challenges that await them as they get closer to the summit. Supplies are low. Conditions are extreme. One of the kids is trying to sabotage the others...”
The story begins with a prologue. That prologue begins with:
“The wind pounced on them above twenty-five thousand feet.
As the youngest expedition in Everest history scrambled up the Geneva Spur, the onslaught began — overpowering, unpredictable gusts that threatened to pluck the climbers off the mountain and hurl them into space.
Amazingly, this was nothing new to them. This was the second time the team had stood atop the Spur, a mammoth club of decaying black rock in the infamous Death Zone high on Everest. Their last summit bid had been scuttled when they’d been called away to perform a daring high-altitude rescue. For two very long weeks, the SummitQuest climbers had waited at Base Camp, begging fate for the weather to offer a second chance at the peak.
Now they had it. And, as team leader Cap Cicero put it, “We’re not going to let a little breeze get in our way.”.”
It concludes with:
“Cicero’s confident stance belied an inner concern: If the blow’s this bad here, it’s bound to be murderous higher up.
Normally, conditions like this would have sent a team back to Base Camp to wait for better weather. But it was the twenty-first of May, very late in the climbing season. Any day, Everest’s summer monsoon could begin, effectively shutting down the mountain. They climbed now because they could not be sure they would get another chance.
The team leader had no way of knowing that summer would come late that year. Nor could he have foreseen that, before Everest slipped into the monsoon, it would claim the life of one of his young climbers.”
From the very beginning of book one we know this is a tragic tale, and we are reminded again with the prologue of the first two instalments. This story is a hard read. Korman delves deeper into human nature than a lot of his works. It is true a team member is playing a game against them all. He is doing it to get the glory for himself and set himself up for life. But when things go sideways he grows a conscience and puts himself at great risk to try and reverse his earlier mistake.
The main events in this instalment of the series are various attempts to summit Everest, the issues encountered and the conflict within the team and across teams. It becomes a fight for survival with 5 people out on the mountain after dark and a killer storm rushing in, visibility is down, temperatures have dropped and 1 team is trying an unknown route down, 1 team is searching and the fifth is lost after his own solo attempted search.
It is a strong conclusion to the story in the adventure story of the four young climbers that young readers will love. I am in my mid-fifties and I am loved it. This series is published as three short works; it is also published in an omnibus edition with all three stories in 1 volume. Unfortunately that 3 in1 edition is out of print and it looks like it was never released as an eBook. What I like about the shorter versions, is they are great for the classroom, or reluctant readers. This volume is another short read, it really grabs your attention, and draws you in, and it leaves you desperate for the final piece of the story. As mentioned this is one of a few series written around the same time, in a similar format. If you love it check ou the Dive, Island, or Titanic series as well.
A great read from Korman’s masterful pen.
I still have 15 books from series left to read to have completed the canon of Korman’s works. I am grateful I finally gave this series a read; I look forward to the final offering in the trilogy, and finishing the other 3 trilogies as well. It is an intense read in an exciting series!
April 18, 2012
The difficulties of climbing Mt. Everest are experienced firsthand by the young climbers from Summit Quest. Dom is sidelined because of the Pakistani government's fear that he's too young to make it up the mountain. Perry's fear of climbing is so great that he's on the verge of finally telling his uncle. Even the weather doesn't want to cooperate this climbing season. Cap has his hands full leading this group up Everest.
October 24, 2017
I liked the book because there was entertainment. The reading age would probably be 6th grade and up. They're climbing up Mount Everest and some people made it and some did not sadly. Some other books from the same author are Dive, Island, The Titanic, and some other books of Everest. Will somebody die on Mount Everest and have a funeral? Read the book to find out!!!
August 26, 2018
I proudly state that I have conquered 'Everest' and it was a really exhilarating climb for me !!! I had wanted to read this series since a long time. Finally completed that wish. It is the end of yet another exciting series by Gordon Korman. I can really wait to tackle the next series and hope that they are as exciting as this one.
Thank you Gordon Korman for the wonderful series.
Thank you Gordon Korman for the wonderful series.
February 16, 2017
I am probably the chillest person you will ever meet. So now I am reading about an Everest expedition. In Iowa. In the winter. It was a wonderful adventure series. If you are trying to engage the male readers in your classrooms, Gordon Korman should be on you list.
February 10, 2008
if the first one was good this one might be better
January 2, 2011
A satisfactory ending to this trilogy. Fast to read, enjoyable.
February 9, 2018
The series kept me on my toes the whole time. I was surprised by the ending but even more surprised that the author wasn’t a climber.
February 27, 2018
Riveting conclusion of the series! Finished it in one day.
November 15, 2019
I read this series with my 9 year old son. We both really enjoyed it. Great characters and interesting facts that kept both of us enthralled.
February 24, 2019
this was a great book
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