How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion

by Ashima Shiraishi, Yao Xiao (Illustrations)

From Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world's youngest and most skilled climbers, comes a true story of strength and perseverence--in rock-climbing and in life.

To a rock climber, a boulder is called a "problem," and you solve it by climbing to the top. There are twists and turns, falls and scrapes, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them. And then there is the moment of triumph, when there's nothing above you but sky and nothing below but a goal achieved.

Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, Growth Mindset, Memoir

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just before I read this book, I was facing some world's first problems:

A. I was forcing a reading slump on myself for reasons unknown.

B. I didn't want to know what I would be reading next.

C. I was trying to be okay with it

But then I was worried about my reading life getting over.

And that's how overthinking goes.

My problem is much as real as the rest of the world's problems. It was stressing me out.

I even thought it wasn't a problem. (I can hear you saying it's not.)

But it's a problem to me. And then I was given some books. Out of the few ones I started reading, this one appealed to me the most. And I got my answers. No, not the answer to if my problem was a problem. But a clear cut answer to my problem.

And without knowing it, I ended up reading a 5 star read.

I fell in love with the contents: the concept and the art.

Everything's perfect and I am back to reading.

Thank you.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the concept of the book, showing how the "problems" (what rock climbers call a boulder) can be related to other "problems" (challenges one faces in life). However, the way the book is written and illustrated, I just think that connection is going to be too abstract for most young readers. The illustrations are cool and inventive, but, again, a bit mystifying. I thought it was neat the way Shiraishi likens different parts in the boulder to different things from her life, one part that sticks out like her father's elbow when he's dancing, another shaped like the bolts of fabric in her mother's sewing room... but it does look a bit puzzling to see a bolt of fabric and a male dancer superimposed onto a boulder. Moreover, I think it would have been more effective if what she saw in the rock reflected some other sort of "problem" in life -- perhaps a test in school? overcoming stage fright? -- I think that would have helped the concept be more meaningful to children than just seeing a piece of cake or a flower she has to climb over. That said, it's a great story about persevering in spite of setbacks, looking at problems in a creative way, and always trying to reach new heights. And my oldest wants to go rock climbing now! ;-)

[Sarah Daniluk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling is just another chance to solve a problem. You can do this.

[Kerri Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous from start to finish—wonderfully illustrated and featuring a meaningful story simply told. I bought this book for my niece's birthday and it moved to tears.

I would happily read an entire series like this about/written by Shiraishi.

[Five stars for (amazing climbers who are also child prodigies, yes! &) perpetually learning how to reframe problems.]

[Connie T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I'm unimpressed. There's isn't enough personal information here to count as a biography or to give readers a real sense of what it's like to be a rock climber. Similarly, I think the metaphor of problem solving is vague. The way the author named parts of a rock face (elbow, folds, etc) and the way they were illustrated seemed confusing.

[Dwan Dawson-Tape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated and inspiring. This would be a no-brainer graduation gift!

[Karan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book, too short. Thank you Alan! I'm looking forward to reading it to the Shamsa children once we have some respite from this physical distancing : )

Also looking forward to giving you your copy!

[ashlynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

had to read 3 separate times at school and i need it out of my life

[Ms. Arca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concept/ Message 5
Writing 3..
Art 5!

Perfect for the classroom - can see this as an easy entry point into so many social emotional convos and projects.

Awesome to have girl Japanese teen badassery rep if I do say so myself, too.

Thanks mom! (She bought it for me).

[Olivia VanDamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a climber, I have been following Ashima’s story and success in climbing for many years. This is a beautifully illustrated children’s book. Her sharing of the creative ways she connects her boulder problems to problems that happen in life is very relatable and why so many of us like climbing. Being a creative problem solver, trusting your body and connecting with nature and who you are- beautiful book!

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of an AMAZING young rock climber, but it is also a guide to a mindful, persevering approach to any kind of problem in your life.

I was a rock climber a few lifetimes ago, which adds to my amazement at what Ashima Shiraishi has accomplished in her 10 years of climbing (age 6-16).

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one for several reasons. It's fantastic to show that solving a problem can take multiple efforts and you can learn from each try even if it hasn't completely solved the problem. This would be great for teaching the growth mindset. It's also fabulous to see a young person excelling at something so tough.

When I was a child we would go to the coast and climb or boulder on the rocks and cliffs. A few months ago I started working out in a climbing gym and even took a few classes. It's fun that I can share that sport with students with this text.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a remarkable young woman and story. Beautiful, colorful illustrations and I love the book's theme of problem solving, discipline, and perseverance. A young Karissa would have been enthralled by this book since my first answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" was "A rock climber." I will definitely be buying this book for my nephews and nieces, especially since the book's dedication is to her Aunt Kay for teaching her to believe. Auntie Kay is what the little ones call me so this book feels like fate!

[Sydney Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concepts in this book are really beneficial to students in elementary school. This author was able to connect problem solving in rock climbing to problem solving in the real world. We are also able to see the views of a strong asian female role model. Students are able to connect to this from all different cultures. This book is a great demonstration of perseverance in all areas. Students can locate many different examples of perseverance and replicate this within different settings in the classroom.

[Abby Johnson]

Love, love, love. This is a great book about tackling problems and never giving up. Wrapped up in a personal story about rock climbing, it's really a good blueprint for solving problems and has a really great way of looking at falls and failures - pick yourself back up and look at the new information you learned from that fall. This would be a great classroom read aloud or a great book to share with anyone with problems (which is all of us, yeah?).

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. The concept was great, but my son and I didn't think the abstract aspects helped enough. Seeing familiar shapes in the rocks surfaces as she climbed didn't really convey well in the way it was done. Overall, the main themes of how to approach problems and using failures to learn from and try again are shown well.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerr found this for her niece...and I have to say, it's pretty much perfect and we need far more books like it. (Also, if you don't know Shiraishi, you should look her up. She's a badass and one of the best climbers in the world today regardless of age or gender.)

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetic analogy of what it takes to overcome challenges and rise stronger.

[Fiona Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would make an excellent read aloud for Y2-8. Themes of resilience, perseverance, problem solving - perfect for anyone who is doing Habits of Mind with their students.

[Aquene · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best kids books I have read. My 4 year old absolutely loves it, it’s inspiring and helps kids think about how they might go after their own dreams and build resilience in the face of setbacks. I plan to give this book as a gift.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Hannah]

I liked it because I recently started climbing, but I'm not sure this would work for a young reader.

[Jody Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book about overcoming challenges. Nice artwork. I think kids would really enjoy this because it is about a young person doing something challenging, easy to relate to.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion is a children's picture book written by Ashima Shiraishi and illustrated by Yao Xiao. It is an autobiographical picture book about a philosophy for life, built word by word, hold by hold, and climb by climb.

Ashima Shiraishi is an American rock climber. Shiraishi started climbing at the age of six at Rat Rock in Central Park, joining her father. Only a few years later, she quickly established herself as one of the top boulderers and sport climbers in the world, and is nowadays widely considered to be the best teenage climber ever.

Shiraishi's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Japanese American teen rock-climbing champion Shiraishi narrates the story of how she navigated one of her biggest climbs with patience, perseverance, and creativity. Backmatter both narrates and visually depicts the author's rise through the annals of climbing, including her completion of a formidable boulder problem, the first woman to do so. Xiao's vivid, clean-lined illustrations by debut artist Xiao immerse readers in sweeping, earth-toned vistas of rock and sky that form Ashima's world.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Shiraishi shares how she overcomes her problems, whether facing a wall of rock or in life, can look tremendously endless to anyone. However, her ascent isn’t perfect. However, she regroups with her father’s help, and approaches the rock with renewed mental and physical strength. Her summit portrays the perseverance, reflection, and tenacity Ashima demonstrates in every climb.

All in all, How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion is a riveting narrative and an excellent guide for young readers to try, try again.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Solve a Problem : The Rise (and falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, illustrations by Yao Xiao, PICTURE BOOK Make Me World (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9781524773274

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ashima Shiraishi is a rock climbing champion. She calls it solving problems. When she looks at a rock or boulder, she sees the problems that need to be solved so she can climb it - she maps out the problem in her head and learns from her mistakes. She tries again, climbs, falls, learns and tries again. Broken up into pieces, the difficult climb - full of problems, is eventually achieved.

What a great metaphor for looking at life's problems and learning from them. Ashima is a remarkable young lady. Writing this picture book while still a teen, she is a world champion climber. I loved the time line of her life (so far) represented with Yao Xiao's beautiful illustration of Ashima climbing through the stars.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent story based on the author's experience as an award-winning rock climber. I am loving the new Make Me a World imprint!

[kate. · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS SO COOL!
she’s my age 🤩
👏👏👏

also, the illustrations are beautiful!

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. A powerful book authored by the fifteen-year-old, international rock climbing champion/professional/elite Ashima Shiraishi.

I am Ashima.
What I do is climb.
What I do is solve problems,
which is to say, I make them mine.

We climbers call our boulders problems.
We also call our problems problems--and to solve them both is sort of the same.

Then readers get to follow Ashima as she confronts and figures out how to climb Golden Shadow in Rocklands, South Africa. While we watch her figure this out, Ashima offers us a clear path for thinking about how to solve our own problems. Readers get a chance to think about how she connects and visualizes along the way. Your students will be inspired. For older readers, I'd ENCOURAGE them TO FIND ADDITIONAL SOURCES about this amazing young woman and her sport.

Yao Xiao's illustrations are bright and bold, bringing the challenges of climbing as well as Shiraishi's thinking to light for the reader.

SO MUCH POTENTIAL as a thoughtful INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD and for SMALL, STUDENT-LED DISCUSSIONS!
*Why do you think the author chose this subtitle?
*What does the author mean by "and to solve them both is sort of the same" (referring to boulders as problems and problem-problems)?
*How does making connections and visualizing help Ashima solve problems?
*How does the illustrator enhance the author's words? How do the illustrations say much more than the words?
*What does the author mean by "then, when I was ready, I looked at the problem again, with the new information the fall had given me"?

SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS IMPRINT of Penguin Random House - https://www.makemeaworld.com/ - "dedicated to exploring the vast possibilities of contemporary childhood" and led by the talented artist/author Christopher Myers.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashima is one of the best rock climbers in the world. Here, she shows how climbers take on the problems (or obstacles in the rock) in front of them. In this book, the problem she shares is the Golden Shadow in Rocklands, South Africa, which she climbed successfully at age 13. Ashima visualized her approach, clapped her hands full of chalk, mapped out each step in her head, and started her climb. Some parts of the rock, she named after different things in her life: her mother’s fabrics and her father’s dancing elbow. But then, the world slipped out from under her, and she fell. She dusted herself off, had a snack, and faced the problem again, learning from her fall. She tried again, stretching muscles to bridge the rock, and conquered it!

The writing here is a great mix of pragmatic approach and also lovely visualizations about the rock itself and the problem it presents. Ashima tells her story in the first person, from examining the huge problem in front of her through the approach, her fall and then success. But each step is executed in front of the reader where they can feel the muscle strain, see the skill that Ashima uses, and also use the approach of falling and learning from those falls, to dust off and try again.

The art by Xiao is marvelous with a substantial comic-book or superhero feel to it. This works really well with the subject matter, which has Ashima climbing what looks like impossible rock walls. The art shows clearly the different steps of the climb and how Ashima approaches each one with determination and focus.

A thrilling read and will inspire you to climb the rocks in your life too. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

[Ni Komang Darmini · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I am inspired by Make Me A World Imprint statements on their vision “we publish books for that world, where kids ask hard questions, and we struggle with them together, where dreams stretch from eons ago into the future, and we do our best to provide road maps to where these young folks want to be. We make books where the children of today can see themselves and each other”. I love their ideas and dedication for publishing diverse books that represent young people’s voices.

In this book I enjoy the story of Ashima, a brilliant and persistent girl who loves climbing. Personally, I think the lines in this book are poems of encouragement. Never give up in learning something you want and passionate about. If you fail, try again because every time you fail, you learn something new, become better and stronger. Finally, you will reach the goal, as Ashima reached the top of her climbing areas. The whole story of Ashima’s climbing skill has this powerful message.

Additionally, the other important message in this book is that Ashima has a very supportive father who is always be there for her. I get an insight that this is a good way to be with people we care, especially when they are teenagers.

At last, I am inspired by the line chart that includes Ashima’s timeline of progress and achievement. I think it is a very good example of how someone should track their learning process and success. At the end of the chart, it is written “What’s next? The sky’s limit”. It feels like a familiar message from well-known successful people in their field.