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The High Climber of Dark Water Bay
“How brave are you?”
“Not very.”
“Well, you will be tomorrow.” Twelve-year-old Lizzie Parker’s father died after the stock market crash of 1929. Accustomed to a comfortable life in Seattle, she is now so poor that she is sent to live with her uncle in a remote logging camp in British Columbia. But when she arrives, her uncle is gone. Left to fend for herself among rough loggers, she begins to unravel the mystery of her uncle’s disappearance ―only to discover that her own life is in danger. Now Lizzie must find out just how brave she truly is.
“Not very.”
“Well, you will be tomorrow.” Twelve-year-old Lizzie Parker’s father died after the stock market crash of 1929. Accustomed to a comfortable life in Seattle, she is now so poor that she is sent to live with her uncle in a remote logging camp in British Columbia. But when she arrives, her uncle is gone. Left to fend for herself among rough loggers, she begins to unravel the mystery of her uncle’s disappearance ―only to discover that her own life is in danger. Now Lizzie must find out just how brave she truly is.
230 pages, Hardcover
Published June 5, 2018
1 person is currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 10, 2020
This is one of those books that I wanted to keep reading. Hopefully this isn't the last we've heard about Lizzie.
June 13, 2018
This is a wonderful book. The depression years were devastating to so many people and this is but a small story of that era but an important one. nonetheless. How many people, let alone a child, can muster up such strength to survive the hardships thrust upon them? Lizzie is 10 years old, her father is dead, her older sister bone tired with no time for her when an opportunity is presented to her to leave for the summer. It will not be an opportunity that she would have wished for, but life is funny and sometimes things do work out.
I enjoyed this book!. You will too!
I received a copy of this book from Turner Publishing for my review.
I enjoyed this book!. You will too!
I received a copy of this book from Turner Publishing for my review.
July 27, 2025
This was a great book. It took me a while to finish it, but it was great. :)
August 15, 2018
Being an orphan is difficult for Lizzy, but especially because she has lived a privileged life until the Stock Market crash of 1929 when her father committed suicide. Lizzy moves in with her sister and brother-in-law who are expecting a baby and now need Lizzy's room to rent to boarders. So the plan is that Lizzy will be a governess to her uncle's children at a logging camp in British Columbia.
When Lizzy arrives there, she finds her uncle has moved and she accidentally learns she is being held for ransom by the camp boss. Now Lizzy must use her wits and she develops tree climbing skills which give her respect and help her survive in a tough logging camp.
I wish the author had written an author's note to give the reader insight on how she knew so much about logging. The descriptions of the job were intriguing.
When Lizzy arrives there, she finds her uncle has moved and she accidentally learns she is being held for ransom by the camp boss. Now Lizzy must use her wits and she develops tree climbing skills which give her respect and help her survive in a tough logging camp.
I wish the author had written an author's note to give the reader insight on how she knew so much about logging. The descriptions of the job were intriguing.
December 2, 2017
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Edelweiss/Ingram Publisher Services. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
How far would you be willing to go to be wanted and needed? Would you be willing to travel to the remote wilderness of British Columbia where the boss is a corrupt man who plans on holding you for ransom or subjecting you to death or serious injury as part of the accidents of the job? Would you be willing to take on death-defying jobs like climbing to the top of tall trees to recover logging equipment? How far would you go and what would you be willing to do? This book, a modest sized literary novel aimed at young women, is set in the time of the Great Depression with a spirited orphan [1] named Lizzie at its center, asks that question insistently and the answers it provides are more than a little bit disturbing. Those who have sensitivities about vulnerable children being left in the company of loggers will likely find plenty to keep one up late.
The story itself is told well, setting the stage where the main character struggles with poverty and feeling unwanted by her relatives after the death of parents, her father by suicide. While struggling to find a place in the world she receives an invitation to serve as the governess to her nephews in the forests north of Vancouver, and finds herself a bit out of place, struggling to be safe and to be respected by others. Through her bravery and tenacity and a certain degree of skill in climbing trees she manages to earn the respect of her fellow loggers and a certain degree of safety in an unsafe place because of the protective instincts of the better sort of man there. This is historical fiction of a kind that presents a heroic but dangerous life of adventure as possible for young women and will likely be a popular one for those girls who want to find in history plausible inspiration from girls who bucked tradition and were able to make a path for themselves in a world that was often cruel and unkind--and Lizzie's life certainly qualifies as that.
There are at least a few deeper areas of this book that are worthy of thought and reflection. Lizzie is a sharp enough girl whose wits and pluck and native charisma earn her a lot of goodwill. Her duel of wits with the corrupt boss of the logging camp has all of the markings of the battles between predators and prey throughout history, where predators seek to use their power to get their way while those who are weak form alliances with others, are hypervigilant while appearing to be harmless and inoffensive, and are resourceful and frequently dishonest. This is a book about adults who put children in harm's way in order to earn some money or to be seen as a patron, and of children willing to go into harm's way in order to feel themselves necessary to someone, anyone at all. The book has some overtones of a certain mutual fondness between Lizzie and one of the loggers there named Freddie which has romantic overtones, and is something which could be viewed as troubling, although the author handles it very gently and while avoiding any hint of physical intimacy. Still, this is a novel about a vulnerable and somewhat superfluous girl in danger who manages to cope and come up with some savvy survival strategies and ends up appreciating and enjoying the danger and finding the more conventional life others want for her to be a bit boring. There is both promise and matters of concern to be found here for contemporary young women and their parents.
[1] The history of lovable and spirited orphans in children's literature is a long and noble one. See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
How far would you be willing to go to be wanted and needed? Would you be willing to travel to the remote wilderness of British Columbia where the boss is a corrupt man who plans on holding you for ransom or subjecting you to death or serious injury as part of the accidents of the job? Would you be willing to take on death-defying jobs like climbing to the top of tall trees to recover logging equipment? How far would you go and what would you be willing to do? This book, a modest sized literary novel aimed at young women, is set in the time of the Great Depression with a spirited orphan [1] named Lizzie at its center, asks that question insistently and the answers it provides are more than a little bit disturbing. Those who have sensitivities about vulnerable children being left in the company of loggers will likely find plenty to keep one up late.
The story itself is told well, setting the stage where the main character struggles with poverty and feeling unwanted by her relatives after the death of parents, her father by suicide. While struggling to find a place in the world she receives an invitation to serve as the governess to her nephews in the forests north of Vancouver, and finds herself a bit out of place, struggling to be safe and to be respected by others. Through her bravery and tenacity and a certain degree of skill in climbing trees she manages to earn the respect of her fellow loggers and a certain degree of safety in an unsafe place because of the protective instincts of the better sort of man there. This is historical fiction of a kind that presents a heroic but dangerous life of adventure as possible for young women and will likely be a popular one for those girls who want to find in history plausible inspiration from girls who bucked tradition and were able to make a path for themselves in a world that was often cruel and unkind--and Lizzie's life certainly qualifies as that.
There are at least a few deeper areas of this book that are worthy of thought and reflection. Lizzie is a sharp enough girl whose wits and pluck and native charisma earn her a lot of goodwill. Her duel of wits with the corrupt boss of the logging camp has all of the markings of the battles between predators and prey throughout history, where predators seek to use their power to get their way while those who are weak form alliances with others, are hypervigilant while appearing to be harmless and inoffensive, and are resourceful and frequently dishonest. This is a book about adults who put children in harm's way in order to earn some money or to be seen as a patron, and of children willing to go into harm's way in order to feel themselves necessary to someone, anyone at all. The book has some overtones of a certain mutual fondness between Lizzie and one of the loggers there named Freddie which has romantic overtones, and is something which could be viewed as troubling, although the author handles it very gently and while avoiding any hint of physical intimacy. Still, this is a novel about a vulnerable and somewhat superfluous girl in danger who manages to cope and come up with some savvy survival strategies and ends up appreciating and enjoying the danger and finding the more conventional life others want for her to be a bit boring. There is both promise and matters of concern to be found here for contemporary young women and their parents.
[1] The history of lovable and spirited orphans in children's literature is a long and noble one. See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
June 11, 2018
A Plucky Heroine in a 1930’s Logging Camp
Lizzie had a sheltered childhood with he beloved father; however, the Wall Street Crash in 1929 caused him to commit suicide. Lizzie goes to live with an older sister who is struggling to provide for her own family and sees Lizzie as another mouth to feed.
Wanting to help, Lizzie jumps at the chance, to accept her uncle’s offer to be a governess to his children at a logging camp north of Vancouver, but when she arrives her uncle and his family are gone. Lizzie is now forced to make her way in a camp of rough men where the boss is not only ruthless but dishonest. Lizzie wants desperately to be accepted. She has one skill that is useful, climbing trees which she uses to gain respect from the loggers.
This is a delightful historical novel that will appeal to young teenage girls. Boys might also enjoy the setting, a logging camp in the 1939’s but the girls would be most likely to identify with Lizzie. Young teens want to be accepted in the adult world. Lizzie is not exception. She feels lost until she is able to use her tree climbing skills to gain acceptance.
I enjoyed the book. It’s well written and taps into the feeling of a young teen who has to use her wits to survive in a hostile environment.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
Lizzie had a sheltered childhood with he beloved father; however, the Wall Street Crash in 1929 caused him to commit suicide. Lizzie goes to live with an older sister who is struggling to provide for her own family and sees Lizzie as another mouth to feed.
Wanting to help, Lizzie jumps at the chance, to accept her uncle’s offer to be a governess to his children at a logging camp north of Vancouver, but when she arrives her uncle and his family are gone. Lizzie is now forced to make her way in a camp of rough men where the boss is not only ruthless but dishonest. Lizzie wants desperately to be accepted. She has one skill that is useful, climbing trees which she uses to gain respect from the loggers.
This is a delightful historical novel that will appeal to young teenage girls. Boys might also enjoy the setting, a logging camp in the 1939’s but the girls would be most likely to identify with Lizzie. Young teens want to be accepted in the adult world. Lizzie is not exception. She feels lost until she is able to use her tree climbing skills to gain acceptance.
I enjoyed the book. It’s well written and taps into the feeling of a young teen who has to use her wits to survive in a hostile environment.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
February 17, 2020
At that moment, she was learning something: fear was strongest when she did nothing. Once she started to move, she could conquer it. She kept moving. (p. 166)
One of my favorite things to do is pick up books I have never heard of at the library, entirely on a whim. Most of the time, these books are mediocre, but sometimes they are wonderful. This book definitely falls into the wonderful category. I only checked this book out because the title mentioned climbing (I'm a novice rock climber) but it turned out to be so much more!
The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is a coming of age story that takes place during the Great Depression. Lizzie's father has died and she is going to spend the summer in Canada at her uncle's logging camp. However, when she arrives, her uncle is missing.
Lizzie spends most of the story trying to figure out where her uncle went while making herself useful at the camp. Over the course of the book, she learns to face her fears and fight the stereotype of what a young girl should do. She falls in love with the logging trade and discovers a love of climbing trees.
This book was a fantastic exploration of finding one's place in the world and going beyond what other people think you can achieve. I would highly recommend it to any young reader.
One of my favorite things to do is pick up books I have never heard of at the library, entirely on a whim. Most of the time, these books are mediocre, but sometimes they are wonderful. This book definitely falls into the wonderful category. I only checked this book out because the title mentioned climbing (I'm a novice rock climber) but it turned out to be so much more!
The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is a coming of age story that takes place during the Great Depression. Lizzie's father has died and she is going to spend the summer in Canada at her uncle's logging camp. However, when she arrives, her uncle is missing.
Lizzie spends most of the story trying to figure out where her uncle went while making herself useful at the camp. Over the course of the book, she learns to face her fears and fight the stereotype of what a young girl should do. She falls in love with the logging trade and discovers a love of climbing trees.
This book was a fantastic exploration of finding one's place in the world and going beyond what other people think you can achieve. I would highly recommend it to any young reader.
March 25, 2018
Talk about women's empowerment! Lizzie's beloved father committed suicide when the stock market crashed, leaving her orphaned and dependent on her sister's family for food and shelter. Considered a burden, she was sent to a remote logging camp north of Vancouver, Canada to be a governess for her rich uncle's kids. Only thing is, he isn't there. Letters crossed or were lost, and once again Lizzie is abandoned and unwanted by the cutthroat logging boss and his rough men. But she is needed in the deep woods, and this girl becomes a trusted tree climber. This is historical fiction about an orphan in peril WHO SAVES HERSELF!
November 20, 2019
Recommend. A 12 yo recently impoverished and orphaned girl living in her older sisters foyer in the Depression Era is sent off to her Uncles logging camp to be a governess for his boys. When she arrives with not enough pocket change to pay the fares home, she discovers his family left months ago. The loggers take her in and she finds safety with them despite all the dangers as she figures out what to do. Clean and interesting historical fiction with a reluctant heroine who is stronger than she realizes. For ages 10 to adult.
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August 31, 2020"The High Climber of Dark Water Bay" is a story that has many surprising and unexpected twists and turns. In this story, the main character, Lizzie Parker, experiences many life changing and major occurrences. From being kicked out of her house to living with complete strangers Lizzie's life has completely turned upside down. She must do her best to defend for herself and to carefully select trust-worthy people. In conclusion, I highly recommend this book if you love to read suspenseful and action-filled books.
September 16, 2018
I received The High Climber of Dark Water Bay by Caroline Arden from Free Book Friday. I enjoyed the book.
C Arden did a great job of character and plot development. I felt like I knew the characters. They were like-able people, except for the boss.
I would recommend The High Climber of Dark Water Bay to readers who like: a well written plot and character development, YA books, fiction, and stories about logging.
C Arden did a great job of character and plot development. I felt like I knew the characters. They were like-able people, except for the boss.
I would recommend The High Climber of Dark Water Bay to readers who like: a well written plot and character development, YA books, fiction, and stories about logging.
December 29, 2017
Mini Review: I liked this one well enough. Simple writing that occasionally touched on serious subject matters, making me wonder what the intended target audience was for this story. I never personally connected to this novel, but I recognize the uniqueness of the story. The writing was quite good in parts, and I think this is an author with a lot of potential!
June 5, 2018
It was hard to put down this story of 12 year old Lizzie, seemingly abandoned in a logging camp in British Columbia in the 1930's. What a story of determination against all odds, of deciding to conquer one's fears. I loved watching her wrestle with her inner (and very real) demons in this palpably rendered setting of rough and tumble loggers.
August 18, 2023
I thought the story and the character development was slow. I was expecting more description of the conditions and work of logging camps, and while that happened, most of it wasn’t till the 2nd half of the book.
Overall it just didn’t meet my expectations so I was a little disappointed.
Caution: alcoholism, death, cruelty, kidnapping, theft,
Overall it just didn’t meet my expectations so I was a little disappointed.
Caution: alcoholism, death, cruelty, kidnapping, theft,
September 19, 2018
Didn’t love all the detailed descriptions of the climbing and tree work, I found myself skimming a lot of that. There were some endearing characters and a plot that was very unique. Did not love the ending
Read
August 26, 2025Was a good book. Read this one with my daughter who enjoyed it as well. The setting was well done. I wish my father in law was here to talk tree climbing with his granddaughter after finishing this one.
May 5, 2018
Original. Inspiring. Awesome “girl power” message without being heavy handed.
July 30, 2018
This feels fictionalized to express truth in a beautifully feminist way.
January 3, 2023
Nice little historical novel about a girl who ends up in a Canadian logging camp. Good message, interesting mystery, compelling setting which I wished I learned more of.
April 2, 2018
Read my review here: elishasbookreview.wordpress.com/2018/...
December 23, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free physical ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This will not affect my review in any way.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, so when I first heard of The High Climber of Dark Water Bay, I wanted to read it. It’s a Middle Grade historical fiction set in the Great Depression, a time period that is often overlooked in modern historical fiction, especially with World War II overshadowing the early 20th century. When I started Arden’s debut novel, I was expecting a lot of action and adventure and even a bit of suspense. Unfortunately, The High Climber of Dark Water Bay didn’t rise up to my expectations–it fell a bit short for me. Although the story became enjoyable in sections towards the end, overall it just did not click for me. The story was not bad, but it wasn’t the best historical fiction book I’ve read.
The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is a story of persistence as a young girl attempts to escape the camp she is being held prisoner by the boss. As Lizzie tries to overcome her “uselessness” (since she feels like she is a burden to others) by working hard labor and even learning how to high climb up trees, she realizes the true potential of her capabilities. She becomes stronger as she receives continual support from the workers who truly care for her and view her as not just a “little girl” but a “strong-willed woman.” I am sure that many young readers who read Lizzie’s story will find themselves inspired to pursue their goals despite the trials and opposition they face.
However, I didn’t feel very emotionally connected with Lizzie. At times, I felt like I was reading words off the page rather than actually living and breathing the story. I wanted more action and adventure since it was set in the woods, but readers won’t see the title being fulfilled (when Lizzie actually does any high climbing) until the 2/3-point, which I really wanted to see more of. The setting definitely did a great job of capturing the atmosphere of the Great Depression–it was very bleak–although I wish there was more of the historical aspect in the story. In addition, I didn’t feel like there was much action that helped built up to Lizzie’s escape. Her “capture” felt very abrupt and confusing, and the movement towards her gaining freedom was a bit slow in my opinion. The ending didn’t satisfy me too much, but it did make sense (and I’m happy for Lizzie for making that choice though). As I said before, The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is not a bad book, but it could have been better… at least that’s for me.
I would say that The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is great for reluctant readers trying to get into historical fiction. It’s very short, so for many people it would be a fast and easy read. While it personally may not be the best book I’ve read, I think many readers would enjoy this story of hope, perseverance, and empowerment.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, so when I first heard of The High Climber of Dark Water Bay, I wanted to read it. It’s a Middle Grade historical fiction set in the Great Depression, a time period that is often overlooked in modern historical fiction, especially with World War II overshadowing the early 20th century. When I started Arden’s debut novel, I was expecting a lot of action and adventure and even a bit of suspense. Unfortunately, The High Climber of Dark Water Bay didn’t rise up to my expectations–it fell a bit short for me. Although the story became enjoyable in sections towards the end, overall it just did not click for me. The story was not bad, but it wasn’t the best historical fiction book I’ve read.
The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is a story of persistence as a young girl attempts to escape the camp she is being held prisoner by the boss. As Lizzie tries to overcome her “uselessness” (since she feels like she is a burden to others) by working hard labor and even learning how to high climb up trees, she realizes the true potential of her capabilities. She becomes stronger as she receives continual support from the workers who truly care for her and view her as not just a “little girl” but a “strong-willed woman.” I am sure that many young readers who read Lizzie’s story will find themselves inspired to pursue their goals despite the trials and opposition they face.
However, I didn’t feel very emotionally connected with Lizzie. At times, I felt like I was reading words off the page rather than actually living and breathing the story. I wanted more action and adventure since it was set in the woods, but readers won’t see the title being fulfilled (when Lizzie actually does any high climbing) until the 2/3-point, which I really wanted to see more of. The setting definitely did a great job of capturing the atmosphere of the Great Depression–it was very bleak–although I wish there was more of the historical aspect in the story. In addition, I didn’t feel like there was much action that helped built up to Lizzie’s escape. Her “capture” felt very abrupt and confusing, and the movement towards her gaining freedom was a bit slow in my opinion. The ending didn’t satisfy me too much, but it did make sense (and I’m happy for Lizzie for making that choice though). As I said before, The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is not a bad book, but it could have been better… at least that’s for me.
I would say that The High Climber of Dark Water Bay is great for reluctant readers trying to get into historical fiction. It’s very short, so for many people it would be a fast and easy read. While it personally may not be the best book I’ve read, I think many readers would enjoy this story of hope, perseverance, and empowerment.
May 30, 2021
M read at 11
October 15, 2018
A young orphaned girl in a 1930s logging camp
Lizzie Parker is 12 years old. Her mother died when she was a baby and her father committed suicide after the 1929 Stock Market Crash. She's been living with her older sister and her family but they don't have much and through a series of happenings, Lizzie ends up at a remote logging camp in British Columbia.
She has never had to work or do much for herself but finds herself learning new skills and self-confidence at the camp.
This is a book for Young Adults. There is some colorful language in it so be forewarned for younger readers.
I enjoyed Lizzie's story and actually wish the book had been longer.
I received this book from Turner Publishing through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Lizzie Parker is 12 years old. Her mother died when she was a baby and her father committed suicide after the 1929 Stock Market Crash. She's been living with her older sister and her family but they don't have much and through a series of happenings, Lizzie ends up at a remote logging camp in British Columbia.
She has never had to work or do much for herself but finds herself learning new skills and self-confidence at the camp.
This is a book for Young Adults. There is some colorful language in it so be forewarned for younger readers.
I enjoyed Lizzie's story and actually wish the book had been longer.
I received this book from Turner Publishing through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
January 26, 2019
Read this in a day. Great characters and detail of a time and place I knew nothing about. Highly recommend for YA.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews