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Peak #1
Peak
After Peak Marcello is arrested for scaling a New York City skyscraper, he's left with two choices: wither away in Juvenile Detention or go live with his long-lost father, who runs a climbing company in Thailand. But Peak quickly learns that his father's renewed interest in him has strings attached. Big strings. He wants Peak to be the youngest person to reach the Everest summit - and his motives are selfish at best. Even so, for a climbing addict like Peak, tackling Everest is the challenge of a lifetime. But it's also one that could cost him his life.
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First published May 1, 2007
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About the author
Roland Smith
152 books837 followersRoland Smith is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,918 reviews
March 30, 2020
everest is a giant mountain that people climb when they want to die. there is no other reason to climb it. is there a mac-and-cheese restaurant at the top?? no. is tamerlane up there?? nope. do you get free rent for life if you succeed? no way. so what's the allure??
the thrill of danger?? throw a rock at a bear. it will take less time and you are less likely to freeze to death. a sense of achievement? run a marathon - you will probably not lose any toes. wanting to be among an elite group of smug people? eat a lot of hot dogs, really fast - you will probably not asphyxiate. unless you aspirate one of 'em. try not to.
really - mountain climbing, who needs it?? everest does not want you to climb it, otherwise why would it be so big?? why would it be so hard to breathe up there?? to successfully climb everest, you have to clamber up a ways, then rest, then GO BACK DOWN so your blood doesn't explode or whatever, and then go back up to the same place you just were and somehow try to breathe the fake air that's up there, and you incrementally make progress, and maybe you get pneumonia or HAPE (where your lungs get all sloshy with liquid - awesome) or you lose some toes or other extremities, maybe you run out of food, maybe you fall down a crevasse and hopefully die instantly, maybe your rock crumbles beneath you or your rope fails and you tumble down forever, maybe a boulder falls on you or an avalanche buries you or a yak eats you. the only thing that could make this scarier is zombies. and that is only a matter of time - there are zombies everywhere else these days.
so despite all my feelings about people who would opt to lose fingers and toes (FINGERS AND TOES!! YOU NEED THEM!!), i loved this book. from the beginning, i knew i was going to love this book.it is purely awesome the whole way through.
peak,the son of two once-famous, now separated mountain climbers, gets caught scaling a skyscraper in manhattan and tagging the very top of it. this is not the first one he has done, but the first one they catch him at. after a copycat dies in his own attempt, peak cuts a deal and gets shipped off to live with his dad in thailand, but dad has a little surprise. instead of going fishing, like normal safe people, he takes his son to tibet climb everest (with a secret agenda to make peak the youngest american ever to reach the top,also conveniently getting publicity for his climbing business)
and the rest is all climbing. and danger. and friendship and personal growth and some really wonderfully touching scenes and a perfectly appropriate ending. i strongly recommend this book, to y/a and other audiences. this is both a great adventure book and a great coming-of-age novel.
and now i see he has a book called sasquatch. this author is my new best friend.
come to my blog!
the thrill of danger?? throw a rock at a bear. it will take less time and you are less likely to freeze to death. a sense of achievement? run a marathon - you will probably not lose any toes. wanting to be among an elite group of smug people? eat a lot of hot dogs, really fast - you will probably not asphyxiate. unless you aspirate one of 'em. try not to.
really - mountain climbing, who needs it?? everest does not want you to climb it, otherwise why would it be so big?? why would it be so hard to breathe up there?? to successfully climb everest, you have to clamber up a ways, then rest, then GO BACK DOWN so your blood doesn't explode or whatever, and then go back up to the same place you just were and somehow try to breathe the fake air that's up there, and you incrementally make progress, and maybe you get pneumonia or HAPE (where your lungs get all sloshy with liquid - awesome) or you lose some toes or other extremities, maybe you run out of food, maybe you fall down a crevasse and hopefully die instantly, maybe your rock crumbles beneath you or your rope fails and you tumble down forever, maybe a boulder falls on you or an avalanche buries you or a yak eats you. the only thing that could make this scarier is zombies. and that is only a matter of time - there are zombies everywhere else these days.
so despite all my feelings about people who would opt to lose fingers and toes (FINGERS AND TOES!! YOU NEED THEM!!), i loved this book. from the beginning, i knew i was going to love this book.it is purely awesome the whole way through.
peak,the son of two once-famous, now separated mountain climbers, gets caught scaling a skyscraper in manhattan and tagging the very top of it. this is not the first one he has done, but the first one they catch him at. after a copycat dies in his own attempt, peak cuts a deal and gets shipped off to live with his dad in thailand, but dad has a little surprise. instead of going fishing, like normal safe people, he takes his son to tibet climb everest (with a secret agenda to make peak the youngest american ever to reach the top,also conveniently getting publicity for his climbing business)
and the rest is all climbing. and danger. and friendship and personal growth and some really wonderfully touching scenes and a perfectly appropriate ending. i strongly recommend this book, to y/a and other audiences. this is both a great adventure book and a great coming-of-age novel.
and now i see he has a book called sasquatch. this author is my new best friend.
come to my blog!
September 9, 2017
Peak Marcello is fourteen years old and like most fourteen year old boys (that I have encountered) he is kinda dumb. He has been climbing skyscrapers in New York City because I guess he is bored. He gets busted after climbing one of them and is given a choice..go to Juvenile Detention or go live with his dad. Peak doesn't really have the typical type of parents..back in the day his mom and dad were known as rock rats..they would climb any mountain. Mom calmed down after she broke her back climbing and went on to settle down and have Peak a couple of sisters. But Dad? He now has started his own adventure expedition company.
Guess what's up next on Dad's agenda?
Oh heck yes! I'm have weird fascinations with several things and that dang Mt. Everest is one of them. I'll read anything featuring that mountain or sit through any movie/documentary or whatever.
Anyways...
Dad surprises Peak with the fact that he is going to be the youngest to summit Everest. He doesn't really ask..it's more a tell situation.
Peak has never had a close relationship with his dad due to the fact that he wasn't a mountain so their relationship has always been strained. Then when he gets to the mountain base camp thinking he is going to go with his dad he realizes that he is living in a dream world. His climbing companion is to be an old monk who used to be a Sherpa and a young boy.
Now let's talk about how good this was. The author does an amaze balls job with how scary that damn mountain is. (Including that elusive 'death zone' where every minute you spend in it is your body dying.)
He even talks about the dead bodies on it. I expected a young adult book to gloss over those.
I need to buy a copy of this one tomake convince the boy child to read. It's got all the good stuff: No lurrrve story, great writing, quick paced and there is a real heartwarming part for the people that have feelings.
And best of all????
Everest for the ones of us that are fascinated but no there is no way in hello that we'd ever do it.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review. PS...I got this from Netgalley a hundred years ago and forgot to read it. Because I'm a dumbass. :D
Guess what's up next on Dad's agenda?
Oh heck yes! I'm have weird fascinations with several things and that dang Mt. Everest is one of them. I'll read anything featuring that mountain or sit through any movie/documentary or whatever.
Anyways...
Dad surprises Peak with the fact that he is going to be the youngest to summit Everest. He doesn't really ask..it's more a tell situation.
Peak has never had a close relationship with his dad due to the fact that he wasn't a mountain so their relationship has always been strained. Then when he gets to the mountain base camp thinking he is going to go with his dad he realizes that he is living in a dream world. His climbing companion is to be an old monk who used to be a Sherpa and a young boy.
Now let's talk about how good this was. The author does an amaze balls job with how scary that damn mountain is. (Including that elusive 'death zone' where every minute you spend in it is your body dying.)
He even talks about the dead bodies on it. I expected a young adult book to gloss over those.
I need to buy a copy of this one to
And best of all????
Everest for the ones of us that are fascinated but no there is no way in hello that we'd ever do it.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review. PS...I got this from Netgalley a hundred years ago and forgot to read it. Because I'm a dumbass. :D
July 9, 2013
Asked why he wanted to climb Everest in 1023, George Mallory quipped "Because it's there." The mountain killed him soon thereafter. He was last spotted 800 feet from the summit, and disappeared after that. Seventy five years later they found his body, and from the examinations that were done on it, it sounds like it was mostly intact, basically frozen for eternity or until discovered. There's still some debate over whether Mallory got to the summit, and if he did, whether that counts as the first "ascent" of Everest, or whether the laurels should still go to Sir Edmund Hillary.
Since then, an additional 216 people have died trying to climb Everest. If you like stats, that's 4.6 deaths for every 100 successful attempts at the summit. Of those, over a quarter of the people who died actually reached the summit, and then died on the way down.
Peak is about a 14 year old whose father wants him to climb to the summit. His father runs a commercial climbing company, and it would be a big boon to business to lead the youngest climber to ever reach the summit. Peak, however, does not have many of his own reasons. He can't even say that he's climbing it "because it's there."
At the start of the book, Peak is both a climber and a graffiti artist. He illegally climbs skyscrapers in Manhattan to tag them with his mark. During the book, he is simultaneously climbing Everest and keeping a journal about it (the book we get to read). So which is he? A climber, or a graffiti artist/ournal keeper. In a strange way, that's what this book is about. Peak is in search of motivation, and on Everest he finds it.
And that would be a great story, except that I didn't buy the ending of the book at all. At first, it looked like this book would be a bonding story between Peak and his estranged father. But Smith thankfully avoids that aspect, at least for the most part, and that relationship never becomes cloying. But the book ends up with Peak making an arbitrary choice and decision, and the more I think about what happens, the more arbitrary and unconvincing it seems to me.
The book did a wonderful job of detailing the pain and boredom of acclimating to extreme high altitude. It dod a less good job of conveying the wonder of climbing. Instead, it stressed the concentrated focus of doing things one step at a time and repeating the process. Between the pain, the boredom, the repetition, the illness, and the dead bodies littering the trail, it convincingly makes one wonder why anyone would want to climb Everest at all. And if it had had a more satisfying conclusion (and there's part of me that doubts the reliability of the narrative at the end), I would have liked it much better.
Oh, and if you think the idea of a 14 year old kid climbing Everest is a preposterous premise, the current record for youngest to reach the summit is 13 years old, set in 2010, three years after the publication of Peak. There are also records for first blind person, first amputee, etc...
Since then, an additional 216 people have died trying to climb Everest. If you like stats, that's 4.6 deaths for every 100 successful attempts at the summit. Of those, over a quarter of the people who died actually reached the summit, and then died on the way down.
Peak is about a 14 year old whose father wants him to climb to the summit. His father runs a commercial climbing company, and it would be a big boon to business to lead the youngest climber to ever reach the summit. Peak, however, does not have many of his own reasons. He can't even say that he's climbing it "because it's there."
At the start of the book, Peak is both a climber and a graffiti artist. He illegally climbs skyscrapers in Manhattan to tag them with his mark. During the book, he is simultaneously climbing Everest and keeping a journal about it (the book we get to read). So which is he? A climber, or a graffiti artist/ournal keeper. In a strange way, that's what this book is about. Peak is in search of motivation, and on Everest he finds it.
And that would be a great story, except that I didn't buy the ending of the book at all. At first, it looked like this book would be a bonding story between Peak and his estranged father. But Smith thankfully avoids that aspect, at least for the most part, and that relationship never becomes cloying. But the book ends up with Peak making an arbitrary choice and decision, and the more I think about what happens, the more arbitrary and unconvincing it seems to me.
The book did a wonderful job of detailing the pain and boredom of acclimating to extreme high altitude. It dod a less good job of conveying the wonder of climbing. Instead, it stressed the concentrated focus of doing things one step at a time and repeating the process. Between the pain, the boredom, the repetition, the illness, and the dead bodies littering the trail, it convincingly makes one wonder why anyone would want to climb Everest at all. And if it had had a more satisfying conclusion (and there's part of me that doubts the reliability of the narrative at the end), I would have liked it much better.
Oh, and if you think the idea of a 14 year old kid climbing Everest is a preposterous premise, the current record for youngest to reach the summit is 13 years old, set in 2010, three years after the publication of Peak. There are also records for first blind person, first amputee, etc...
August 7, 2015
Roland Smith has captured the ever elusive thoughts and feelings of a teenaged boy who journals his thoughts, life and experiences on his climb up Mt. Everest and most importantly, his new found maturity and values as he braves frigid temperatures, a death-defying climb and the gritty side of human nature, as well as the best humanity has to offer. Welcome to the world of Peak, bundle up, grab some oxygen, and settle in for a breathtaking read for all ages!
Born to climb, born to parents who lived for the thrill of the danger, the exhilaration and feeling of accomplishment in defying gravity, Peak was a natural. When a stunt in NYC lands him in the custody of his mountain climbing, absent father, he is caught between his own desire to make his mark in the world and his father’s single-minded selfish desires to use his son as a marketing tool to stroke his own ego and fill his pockets.
Enter the mind and thoughts of a teen who learns what is important in life as his eyes are opened to the world and the people around him. Roland Smith has given us adventure, danger and tells it with the youthful voice of young Peak. Magnetic, adventurous, young readers will feel the highs, the lows and the awe of this adventure as if they were there. An amazing journey filled with the heart of a young boy, the brutality of an ancient mountain and the narcissist egos of the adults around him who seem to forget there is no “I” in TEAM when lives are always ON THE LINE and there is no room for the phrase, “Every man for himself.” Eye-opening, realistic, enough to fuel younger readers’ minds with the power of reaching for the sky, while learning to stay well-grounded in life. Highly recommended for ALL ages, classrooms, libraries, everywhere!
I received this copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Peak - Book 1
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
ISBN 9780547417172
Genre: YA Adventure - Great reading for boys
Print Length: 257 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Born to climb, born to parents who lived for the thrill of the danger, the exhilaration and feeling of accomplishment in defying gravity, Peak was a natural. When a stunt in NYC lands him in the custody of his mountain climbing, absent father, he is caught between his own desire to make his mark in the world and his father’s single-minded selfish desires to use his son as a marketing tool to stroke his own ego and fill his pockets.
Enter the mind and thoughts of a teen who learns what is important in life as his eyes are opened to the world and the people around him. Roland Smith has given us adventure, danger and tells it with the youthful voice of young Peak. Magnetic, adventurous, young readers will feel the highs, the lows and the awe of this adventure as if they were there. An amazing journey filled with the heart of a young boy, the brutality of an ancient mountain and the narcissist egos of the adults around him who seem to forget there is no “I” in TEAM when lives are always ON THE LINE and there is no room for the phrase, “Every man for himself.” Eye-opening, realistic, enough to fuel younger readers’ minds with the power of reaching for the sky, while learning to stay well-grounded in life. Highly recommended for ALL ages, classrooms, libraries, everywhere!
I received this copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Peak - Book 1
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
ISBN 9780547417172
Genre: YA Adventure - Great reading for boys
Print Length: 257 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 16, 2008
I have several students who jokingly tell each other, "Climb high, sleep low," when they have a problem, great advice from Peak! This is definitely a book that adds to your schema for all things Everest. I learned so much from this book--the types of people drawn to mountain climbing, technical terms for gear and mountains, and the dangers of attempting to reach the summit.
A great coming of age story which parallels the mountain climb.
A great coming of age story which parallels the mountain climb.
May 30, 2012
"I have climbed my mountain, but I still must go back and live my life."----Tenzing Norgay on the summit of Mount Everest
Peak Marcello is a fourteen year old boy living in New York City who illegally climbs skyscrapers to satisfy his passion for climbing, handed down to him from both of his parents. Unfortunately, his last illegal climb of a skyscraper hands him a harsh sentence from a Judge who is trying to make an example of him. Peak's father steps in and offers to finish raising the boy halfway around the world. His father gives Peak an opportunity to climb Mount Everest in order to be the youngest climber to top the mountain, but Peak soon realizes there are strings attached to the deal.
I love this book because Peak realizes that there is more to life than just grazing skyscrapers and topping mountains. He learns a lesson that his father will never learn---that there is more to life than climbing mountains and One must set his sights on something higher in the end. Peak learns that he must find a healthy balance between his passion for climbing and other goals in life that build a young boy's character. Famous climbers have often said that "Altitude is the great equalizer" in one's life. Peak begins to wonder if his lack of selfishness and self-centeredness will ultimately costs him his claim to fame as the world's youngest climber to top Mount Everest.
"The only thing you'll find on the summit of Mount Everest is a divine view. The things in life that really matter lie far below."------Peak
Great read for middle school boys!!!
December 15, 2008
In the beginning, fourteen year old Peak Marcello winds up getting arrested for illegally climbing skyscrapers in New York City. This leads him to his long-lost father and to a climb that changed everything- a climb on Mount Everest.
I learned three main things from this book...
1) "...what makes a story unique is not necessarily the information in the story but what the writer chooses to put in or leave out. (pg. 146-147)"
2)"You don't have to be alone to feel alone. (pg. 154)"
3) Sacrifice. Think of others before yourself.
I learned three main things from this book...
1) "...what makes a story unique is not necessarily the information in the story but what the writer chooses to put in or leave out. (pg. 146-147)"
2)"You don't have to be alone to feel alone. (pg. 154)"
3) Sacrifice. Think of others before yourself.
Read
August 6, 2015Copy provided by NetGalley:
Peak Marcello is fourteen, and at the start of the novel he's clambering at the side of a New York skyscrapers, which he has climbed using his mountaineering training in order to tag. He's arrested and the authorities want to throw the book at him for maximum sentence as a warning.
So his absent mountain climber dad swoops in for the first time in Peak's life. Helps out, promising to whisk Peak off to Tibet and private school, until the notoriety dies down. But what his dad actually wants Peak to do is become the youngest person ever to climb Mt. Everest.
While the voice did not remind me of any fourteen year old boy [not just in its clear-sighted maturity, which some adults have trouble managing, but also in certain turns of phrase] I have ever known in a very long life of parenting, teaching, and counseling, that didn't matter much because I liked the voice, I liked the character, and I found the story brisk, vividly described, and gripping. This book is not new. NetGalley seems to have it as a publicity move to highlight the sequel.
Well, that worked. I want to read that sequel.
Peak Marcello is fourteen, and at the start of the novel he's clambering at the side of a New York skyscrapers, which he has climbed using his mountaineering training in order to tag. He's arrested and the authorities want to throw the book at him for maximum sentence as a warning.
So his absent mountain climber dad swoops in for the first time in Peak's life. Helps out, promising to whisk Peak off to Tibet and private school, until the notoriety dies down. But what his dad actually wants Peak to do is become the youngest person ever to climb Mt. Everest.
While the voice did not remind me of any fourteen year old boy [not just in its clear-sighted maturity, which some adults have trouble managing, but also in certain turns of phrase] I have ever known in a very long life of parenting, teaching, and counseling, that didn't matter much because I liked the voice, I liked the character, and I found the story brisk, vividly described, and gripping. This book is not new. NetGalley seems to have it as a publicity move to highlight the sequel.
Well, that worked. I want to read that sequel.
April 17, 2018
Once in a while, there is a piece of YA fiction with a style that is borderline genius – and that would undoubtedly be Peak. An incredibly strong style and voice utterly captivated me – more specifically I was utterly captivated by it’s narrator – Peak, a fourteen year old climber. From the very first sentence, I was instantly transported into this boy’s smart mind, hurting heart, and incredible integrity and strength. Peak was the first person this year to join my Hall of Favorite Characters and he is an utterly amazing edition. He is impossible to describe – you will have to read it for yourself. Thematically strong – compelling motifs of forgiveness, sacrifice and maturing are woven amongst a book that portrays the endeavor of surmounting Everest so realistically, it will make make your heart pound and your muscles ache to read it. The descriptions in this book are gloriously detailed and startlingly pictorial, summing up a frigid and deathly environment that awes and cows the reader.
Mini review from my blog: http://allisonswell.website/2018/04/1...
Mini review from my blog: http://allisonswell.website/2018/04/1...
May 14, 2016
There are good books and then there are books you cannot put down. Peak was one of those books for me. I took it with me everywhere. I read it during every spare moment I had - even during boring parts of a movie I "watched" with my sister. I was, quite literally, on the edge of my seat through the whole thing.
In first person, written as a story for a school assignment, Peak tells the story of, well, Peak. A fourteen, almost fifteen, year old boy who loves climbing. Because he lives in New York, he resorts to - illegally - climbing skyscrapers and tagging blue mountains in inconspicuous places. When he gets caught, it seems he's set to spend the next three years in JV until his father shows up with an alternative. Peak will spend the next three years with his father. One thing quickly leads to another and next thing we know, Peak is preparing to be the youngest person ever to set foot on the summit of Mount Everest.
I picked this up because this book is probably the closest I'll ever get to climbing Mount Everest myself. I am addicted to books about survival, life and death. Airplane passengers stranded on islands, swimmers in shark infested waters, fourteen year old's climbing five feet above sea-level. (I live in the mile high city; I can't tell you how many out of towners have trouble breathing here.) It fascinates me. I can't look away. The book would have to be horrendously written for me to give up on it.
Fortunately, Peak didn't disappoint. It wasn't a mind blowing read. It wasn't difficult, and in fact I'd probably recommend it to middle school age kids, maybe even advanced readers younger than that. Peak keeps you hooked till the very end with surprises at every turn. It's not just a story about survival. It's a story about family and friendship and growing up. And I liked that things didn't turn out all cookie cutter, cheesy, everyone-lives-happily-ever-after. (Ooops, spoiler?)
:P
In first person, written as a story for a school assignment, Peak tells the story of, well, Peak. A fourteen, almost fifteen, year old boy who loves climbing. Because he lives in New York, he resorts to - illegally - climbing skyscrapers and tagging blue mountains in inconspicuous places. When he gets caught, it seems he's set to spend the next three years in JV until his father shows up with an alternative. Peak will spend the next three years with his father. One thing quickly leads to another and next thing we know, Peak is preparing to be the youngest person ever to set foot on the summit of Mount Everest.
I picked this up because this book is probably the closest I'll ever get to climbing Mount Everest myself. I am addicted to books about survival, life and death. Airplane passengers stranded on islands, swimmers in shark infested waters, fourteen year old's climbing five feet above sea-level. (I live in the mile high city; I can't tell you how many out of towners have trouble breathing here.) It fascinates me. I can't look away. The book would have to be horrendously written for me to give up on it.
Fortunately, Peak didn't disappoint. It wasn't a mind blowing read. It wasn't difficult, and in fact I'd probably recommend it to middle school age kids, maybe even advanced readers younger than that. Peak keeps you hooked till the very end with surprises at every turn. It's not just a story about survival. It's a story about family and friendship and growing up. And I liked that things didn't turn out all cookie cutter, cheesy, everyone-lives-happily-ever-after. (Ooops, spoiler?)
:P
May 7, 2009
"Peak" is about fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello who has just been arrested for climbing a skyscraper in the center of New York City. He has the choice of rotting away in juvy, or escaping with his father to climb Everest (although he doesn't know it at the time). It's no wonder he decides to go with his neglectful father, who wants Peak to call him Josh. The rest of the book is about Peak's adventure climbing the legendary mountain, including Josh's incentive and motivation to get his son up there. There are also other background characters, like Peak's friend Sun-jo and his grandfather Zopa.
"Peak" was a very good read, and I wasn't expecting it to be so good because mountain climbing isn't really my favorite hobby. The author described the climbing scenes very well though, so even someone like me - who is naive in the ways of climbing - could understand the adventure. I also enjoyed the family conflict between Peak and Josh. Overall, a decent read.
"Peak" was a very good read, and I wasn't expecting it to be so good because mountain climbing isn't really my favorite hobby. The author described the climbing scenes very well though, so even someone like me - who is naive in the ways of climbing - could understand the adventure. I also enjoyed the family conflict between Peak and Josh. Overall, a decent read.
October 4, 2007
Named Peak by his obsessed by mountain climbing father, Peak finds himself in court about to be sent to juvenile detention cell, for climbing a skyscrapper. Peak is snapped away to China for an attempt on Mt Everest with his father. Peak can not decide if his father is there to use him or because he thinks Peak can make it. A gripping story with great characters, be sure to read this somewhere warm, because PEAK radiates an icy chill that settles into your bones.
September 16, 2020
Smith is popular with boys Grades 6 & 7 in my library. I've never been interested in reading any of the books because the topics never interest me. Due to Peak being selected for the Battle of the Books club this year, it became required reading.
I was gripped by the beginning, which surprised me, but then I persevered through a mildly interesting plot for most of the rest of it. The amount of climbing and climbing jargon did not hold my interest...again, not my kind of topic. I wondered if the political issues that added to the suspense would be understood by 6th and 7th grade boys, but regardless, the ending was so good that I cried and I decided that I REALLY liked the the piece as a whole.
I highly recommend this to all students interested in a suspenseful story, especially if you're interested in thrill sports. It's not an ideal pick for readers like me who cannot comprehend why anyone would want to climb Everest.
I was gripped by the beginning, which surprised me, but then I persevered through a mildly interesting plot for most of the rest of it. The amount of climbing and climbing jargon did not hold my interest...again, not my kind of topic. I wondered if the political issues that added to the suspense would be understood by 6th and 7th grade boys, but regardless, the ending was so good that I cried and I decided that I REALLY liked the the piece as a whole.
I highly recommend this to all students interested in a suspenseful story, especially if you're interested in thrill sports. It's not an ideal pick for readers like me who cannot comprehend why anyone would want to climb Everest.
June 26, 2020
Peak by Roland Smith (#69 in 2020)
At 14 years old, Peak gets arrested for climbing a skyscraper in New York City. His punishment could result in either time in juvie OR he could go away to live with his father, an accomplished mountain climber who lives in Thailand. When Peak chooses to live with his estranged father, he learns that his father has big plans for him. Peak's father wants him to be the youngest person to ever climb Mount Everest...
Whenever I read something from the YA genre, I have to consider the book from two different perspectives: that of an adult (because I am), and that of a young adult (because that's the intended audience).
For adults: The issues that are important to Peak are juvenile on the surface, but the deeper feelings are what make Peak special. The writing was descriptive and provided a lot of detail into how treacherous climbs, such as that of Mount Everest, are executed. As an adult, I can appreciate all the research that Smith must have conducted in order to nail down the accuracy of the mountain, the conditions, and the challenges with the climb.
For young adults: The cover and synopsis lead readers to believe that this is going to be an action-packed book. Spoiler alert- it's not (at all). The time that Peak spends in NYC is minimal, and a bulk of the story takes place where Peak is training and slowly making his ascent up the mountain. The scenery lacks a lot of detail making the setting difficult to grasp. In middle school, we teach our students to write using imagery from the five senses, and Smith doesn't really follow the style the way most YA books do. There is a LOT of focus on Peak's physical climbing... actually too much of a focus to maintain a child's attention. The novel is almost entirely character driven, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think a younger reader might require more action or suspense to remain interested. Regarding morals, Peak doesn't do much reflecting and the story focuses more on his actual climb than on the actions that led him to the mountain in the first place. Another thing we teach kids to look for in literature is characterization - dynamic and round characters who evolve as the story progresses. Peak is only minimally developed, and the other characters remain flat for the entirety of the book.
It's a super short book at only 246 pages, so you could likely read it quickly or in one sitting. The ending got this reaction out of me: "oh." If you're looking for realistic survivalist stories for young adult readers, I would much rather recommend Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, The Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George, or Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. 2.5 stars for this one.
At 14 years old, Peak gets arrested for climbing a skyscraper in New York City. His punishment could result in either time in juvie OR he could go away to live with his father, an accomplished mountain climber who lives in Thailand. When Peak chooses to live with his estranged father, he learns that his father has big plans for him. Peak's father wants him to be the youngest person to ever climb Mount Everest...
Whenever I read something from the YA genre, I have to consider the book from two different perspectives: that of an adult (because I am), and that of a young adult (because that's the intended audience).
For adults: The issues that are important to Peak are juvenile on the surface, but the deeper feelings are what make Peak special. The writing was descriptive and provided a lot of detail into how treacherous climbs, such as that of Mount Everest, are executed. As an adult, I can appreciate all the research that Smith must have conducted in order to nail down the accuracy of the mountain, the conditions, and the challenges with the climb.
For young adults: The cover and synopsis lead readers to believe that this is going to be an action-packed book. Spoiler alert- it's not (at all). The time that Peak spends in NYC is minimal, and a bulk of the story takes place where Peak is training and slowly making his ascent up the mountain. The scenery lacks a lot of detail making the setting difficult to grasp. In middle school, we teach our students to write using imagery from the five senses, and Smith doesn't really follow the style the way most YA books do. There is a LOT of focus on Peak's physical climbing... actually too much of a focus to maintain a child's attention. The novel is almost entirely character driven, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think a younger reader might require more action or suspense to remain interested. Regarding morals, Peak doesn't do much reflecting and the story focuses more on his actual climb than on the actions that led him to the mountain in the first place. Another thing we teach kids to look for in literature is characterization - dynamic and round characters who evolve as the story progresses. Peak is only minimally developed, and the other characters remain flat for the entirety of the book.
It's a super short book at only 246 pages, so you could likely read it quickly or in one sitting. The ending got this reaction out of me: "oh." If you're looking for realistic survivalist stories for young adult readers, I would much rather recommend Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, The Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George, or Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. 2.5 stars for this one.
January 18, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this with my class! It has great themes and is a great tool to teach students about Mt. Everest. However, it also teaches them to care for others and to accept them for who they are.
What I didn't like is that it makes Mt. Everest looks easy to climb. Yes, you can tell that it's dangerous, but it doesn't describe a lot of the hardships (other than HAPE and storms) you can encounter.
What I didn't like is that it makes Mt. Everest looks easy to climb. Yes, you can tell that it's dangerous, but it doesn't describe a lot of the hardships (other than HAPE and storms) you can encounter.
December 30, 2024
wasn’t even that good
June 10, 2022
3.5 stars
October 3, 2024
Well-written and wonderful life lesson. The writing felt formulaic, but it is a book geared towards middle schoolers. It was easy to keep reading with an active plot.
January 19, 2023
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to climb twenty-nine thousand feet, in as cold as -70 degrees? In the story, “Peak” by Roland Smith, a 14-year-old boy named Peak goes along with his father to climb Mount Everest. I chose to read this book because my English teacher from school recommended it to me and I thought it sounded like a great book full of suspense and excitement. This book contains the thrilling stories of climbing Mount Everest. Anyone who likes adventure should read it.
We are told in the book that Peak has lots of experience climbing. Peaks' father takes him on a surprise trip to climb Mount Everest. Peak needs to climb to the summit before his 15th birthday to be the youngest person to climb to the summit. Peak’s parents divorced, and when Peak was little, he sent his Dad many letters but never received one back. Climbing the mountain together is the first time they were able to talk to each other. Throughout the story, you will meet more characters such as some of Peak’s father’s friends and other climbers with them on Everest.
The author wrote the story in an easy way to understand while still making it exciting. One small problem in the book was that the entire story was written in first person, which is not bad, but the author never really told us how the different characters were feeling about each other. Even though we didn’t know what the other characters were thinking, we still knew how they were feeling on the outside. For example, as you read throughout the story, you know when the other characters are struggling with the climb, or even getting sick. Teens and young adults that like an exciting and rough journey will enjoy this book. Reluctant readers like me will also appreciate the detail and how the author did a good job of making it easy to picture the story in your head. As you read the book you will understand the difficulties of climbing mount Everest and why so many climbers die from attempting it.
I loved this book because of everything going on during the climb and I liked the character development. I recommend it to anyone that is even the slightest bit interested. You won't regret it. In the book Peak, the author did a good job with the details of explaining how the climb is. If you’ve ever thought about what it's like climbing Mount Everest then this book will tell you everything about it.
We are told in the book that Peak has lots of experience climbing. Peaks' father takes him on a surprise trip to climb Mount Everest. Peak needs to climb to the summit before his 15th birthday to be the youngest person to climb to the summit. Peak’s parents divorced, and when Peak was little, he sent his Dad many letters but never received one back. Climbing the mountain together is the first time they were able to talk to each other. Throughout the story, you will meet more characters such as some of Peak’s father’s friends and other climbers with them on Everest.
The author wrote the story in an easy way to understand while still making it exciting. One small problem in the book was that the entire story was written in first person, which is not bad, but the author never really told us how the different characters were feeling about each other. Even though we didn’t know what the other characters were thinking, we still knew how they were feeling on the outside. For example, as you read throughout the story, you know when the other characters are struggling with the climb, or even getting sick. Teens and young adults that like an exciting and rough journey will enjoy this book. Reluctant readers like me will also appreciate the detail and how the author did a good job of making it easy to picture the story in your head. As you read the book you will understand the difficulties of climbing mount Everest and why so many climbers die from attempting it.
I loved this book because of everything going on during the climb and I liked the character development. I recommend it to anyone that is even the slightest bit interested. You won't regret it. In the book Peak, the author did a good job with the details of explaining how the climb is. If you’ve ever thought about what it's like climbing Mount Everest then this book will tell you everything about it.
December 12, 2013
Have you ever wondered how climbing is really like? What kind of things happen while people are climbing and how long it takes to climb to get to your destination? Peak gives you all of the information about it. And including a story line to go with it, not just facts on climbing. Being the kind of reader I am (reading mysteries and crimes and such), this book is actually fascinating. It actually caught me onto some spots in the book where there was a twist and it got me more into it and wondering what will happen next.
Peak, is a fourteen year old boy who loves to climb. Long story short, his dad left his mom for climbing while she took care of Peak. Anyway, Peak took the chances and climbed a building in New York. He got caught by the police and went to trial. It was either to go to a Juvenile Detention Center or have his mother bail him out. Peak has not seen his dad in seven years and Josh (Peak’s dad) comes to trial to bail Peak out. He succeeded. The only reason why he bailed Peak out? Is so he can go climb Mount Everest and be the youngest person to reach the top. That means, they had to hurry before Peak’s birthday, which was close.
I’d have to say my least favorite character was Josh, because he’s only been using Peak for fame. He left Peak’s mom so he could climb, (she could not climb anymore because of breaking her back). My opinion on this book is that it was actually pretty amazing to read. There were great events in the story and points where I had fun reading it. One weakness is that it caught me off guard on some points, then it would redirect me and I figured out on what’s been happening.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves climbing and are into great twists in books. There was a twist that really got me and I kept my eyes locked on the book for a while. You can learn a lot about what climbers really do on the mountains and how they do it. That’s why it’s a great book to read.
Peak, is a fourteen year old boy who loves to climb. Long story short, his dad left his mom for climbing while she took care of Peak. Anyway, Peak took the chances and climbed a building in New York. He got caught by the police and went to trial. It was either to go to a Juvenile Detention Center or have his mother bail him out. Peak has not seen his dad in seven years and Josh (Peak’s dad) comes to trial to bail Peak out. He succeeded. The only reason why he bailed Peak out? Is so he can go climb Mount Everest and be the youngest person to reach the top. That means, they had to hurry before Peak’s birthday, which was close.
I’d have to say my least favorite character was Josh, because he’s only been using Peak for fame. He left Peak’s mom so he could climb, (she could not climb anymore because of breaking her back). My opinion on this book is that it was actually pretty amazing to read. There were great events in the story and points where I had fun reading it. One weakness is that it caught me off guard on some points, then it would redirect me and I figured out on what’s been happening.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves climbing and are into great twists in books. There was a twist that really got me and I kept my eyes locked on the book for a while. You can learn a lot about what climbers really do on the mountains and how they do it. That’s why it’s a great book to read.
October 26, 2020
What a great little book. PEAK is an action adventure that is imminently readable, and suitable for anyone who likes the description and who can read at the Lexile: 780L level. [That would be Accelerated Reader 5.0 with 9pts.]
The story is about Everest and rock climbing. It's also a story about what makes a family a family.
~
PEAK is the name of 14 year old boy. The offspring of two rock climbers and as the book begins Peak is getting into serious serious trouble for climbing a building in NYC.
The solution to that problem turns out being a trip to Katmandu and from there it's just up. And up some more.
I'm an armchair explorer and one of the places I've been a few times are K2 and Everest. Formerly I went in the company of some of the world's best. This time I went with Peak and Roland Smith and I have to say that the author did a marvelous job in capturing the nature of the tortuous climb. And he did it without making it seem too technical nor boring.
No, this climb was a really good read with likable characters and a good story, and there's not many people that I wouldn't suggest this book to.
~library find
The story is about Everest and rock climbing. It's also a story about what makes a family a family.
~
PEAK is the name of 14 year old boy. The offspring of two rock climbers and as the book begins Peak is getting into serious serious trouble for climbing a building in NYC.
The solution to that problem turns out being a trip to Katmandu and from there it's just up. And up some more.
I'm an armchair explorer and one of the places I've been a few times are K2 and Everest. Formerly I went in the company of some of the world's best. This time I went with Peak and Roland Smith and I have to say that the author did a marvelous job in capturing the nature of the tortuous climb. And he did it without making it seem too technical nor boring.
No, this climb was a really good read with likable characters and a good story, and there's not many people that I wouldn't suggest this book to.
~library find
Read
April 8, 2012Rebecca Weimert
Adventure
Peak Marcello was caught climbing the Woolworth Building in New York and is sentenced to live with his is biological father in China. Peak believes he will be attending a private school, but to his surprise his father has other plans. His father Josh owns a mountain climbing company and has decided to take Peak to the top of Everest so he will become the youngest person to climb up the entire mountain. At first Peak is upset with the idea, but just as he was getting excited about it he learns Sun-jo a boy that has been helping him along the way is also trying to win the record as well so he can return to school with his sisters. Peak learns a little about himself, and a lot about the real meaning of friendship.
I loved this book! The story was written so well it left me on the edge of my seat. The book is great not only for teens, but adults as well. The language of mountain climbing was explained so the reader was never lost. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure!
Adventure
Peak Marcello was caught climbing the Woolworth Building in New York and is sentenced to live with his is biological father in China. Peak believes he will be attending a private school, but to his surprise his father has other plans. His father Josh owns a mountain climbing company and has decided to take Peak to the top of Everest so he will become the youngest person to climb up the entire mountain. At first Peak is upset with the idea, but just as he was getting excited about it he learns Sun-jo a boy that has been helping him along the way is also trying to win the record as well so he can return to school with his sisters. Peak learns a little about himself, and a lot about the real meaning of friendship.
I loved this book! The story was written so well it left me on the edge of my seat. The book is great not only for teens, but adults as well. The language of mountain climbing was explained so the reader was never lost. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure!
February 24, 2014
This book was a bout a boy Peak and his life, it took place mostly at Mount Everest. found this book very interesting because it was cool to see what peak did in his life because he is the same age as us. This is about Peaks life it first took place in the city living with his Mom,but peak got in deep trouble and and his dad took him to mount Everest. Peaks Dad is a famous mountain climber and Peak is trying to be the youngest kid to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Read this book to find out if peak will make it to the top or not.
April 28, 2013
One of the most fascinating and informative books I have ever read. The retelling of the journey to the summit of Mount Everest had me completely immersed in research for weeks. I never thought I would become interested in the action type of literature, but this book proved me wrong in all aspects.
November 9, 2015
Peak is the kind of book that you will never read because the title looks boring, But i actually pick up the book and read it. It is a very inspirational where it teaches to never give up even when things go bad. You would never think anything about the ending. Another great book by Roland Smith
November 6, 2015
One of the best books ever! Luv it
October 19, 2020
This book was recommended for my son by a friend of mine who teaches troubled young men at a Christian School. Many might disagree with me on giving this book five stars. I might possibly agree with them if they gave it a three or four star rating. However, that rating comes from my adult perspective. My teenage son struggles with reading and quite frankly hates it, until Peak and Mr. Roland Smith. Mr. Smith is not really writing to old guys like me. He wrote this for the younger crowd. This is the first book my son has read on his own without me badgering him. He would take a headlamp to bed with him to keep reading Peak. In between chores and regular schoolwork we would find him with this book. Any author that can accomplish that with my son is awesome. Needless to say we have three other Roland Smith books on our shelves. As I read them I will rate them as well. If my son completes them and is excited to talk to me about them, they will also receive five stars. Thank you Mr. Roland Smith!
June 17, 2011
Introduction
The novel Peak is written by Roland Smith expressing the physical and emotional tolls on a fourteen year old boy Peak Marcello as he climbs to reach for Mount Everest. In the opening scene, Peak writes about his outrageous stunt in scaling the Woolworth building in New York City to tag his blue mountain on them. Nevertheless, his plans rapidly come to a complete end, as he is caught and arrested for vandalism, and climbing. His stunt goes public and Peak is in deep trouble and has to go into juvenile as he recently hears about a boy who dies trying to attempt his same exact stunt. Just in a nick of time, Peak is saved from going into juvenile detention as the judge agrees to let Peak to go live with his famous mountaineer father Josh Woods in Thailand. However, it all turns out that Peak’s father has a special reason in saving his son; he wants Peak to be the youngest climber in scaling Everest in the efforts of publicity and money in saving his struggling company. Excited Peak is up for the challenge but soon learns again that his father would not be companying him, in the expense of his paying customers. Peak is sent off to his fathers head Sherpa for training and acclimation with a Nepalese boy his same age, name Sun-jo. At the same time, a media crew follows their every move at base camp in their effort to the summit. In addition, an over the top Chinese police captain diligently searches for passports violations and underage climbers. Peak and the others is very aware of the dangers in climbing Mount Everest and Base Camp, can cost them their lives. Peak’s empathy for Sun-jo makes him make a huge decision as he near the summit, revealing his growth and maturity. This novel reminds me of another novel “Somewhere In The Darkness” where it discusses a boy name Jimmy who’s lives with his maternal grandmother until his long- lost father shows up and takes him away in the efforts of running away from the law.
Craft and Structure
The author Roland Smith writes the novel in first person point of view threw the identity of a fourteen- year- old boy Peak Marcello. Where Peak describes his challenges and emotions on his effort to reaching the Summit through writing in his journal for a assignment for his teacher. "My name is Peak. Yeah, I know: weird name. But you don't get to pick your name or your parent". The author also includes a few things about or used in climbing that some people would not quite get such a crampons which, are devices used to improve the climbers mobility in the ice and snow. I was able to figure out what they were because I know cramp is to hold on to. So I know that it could not have been gloves but shoes that have spikes to attach to the snow and ice. Another word that I thought would be tricky is the word crevasses , crevasses are these deep cracks in the glacier that have long vertical walls. I was able to figure out what crevasses mean because I saw a true documentary on it.
Theme
I believe the theme of the novel was learning the deeper meaning of true friendship and the importance of family. Peak experiences both of these virtues at the end of the story and was able to grow and understand the meaning of a solid friendship that can last a lifetime. He didn’t have to give up his only opportunity he was just 10feet away from being the youngest climber to reach the summit."Tomorrow's your birthday. You have a reason to be here, Sun-jo. An important reason. Your future and your sisters' future. I don't have a reason for being here. I'm heading back down the north side." Peak recognized how important it would be to let Sun-jo to reach the summit before his birthday had come. I believe also that he did it because he was sorry that Sun-jo father died in the process of saving his and appreciated Sun-jo fathers courage and willingness to do so. "I didn't want to be the youngest person to summit Everest. Sun-jo's father died saving my father. Reaching the top would save Sun-jo and his sisters." Peak had his own responsibilities he had already help sun-jo to get to the top now he realized how important it would be to get down in order to be with his sister's and family. "The only thing you'll find on the summit of Mount Everest is a divine view. The things that really matter lie far below"
Characterization
The author developed the main character, through indirect characterization. Peak Marcello is an amazing young guy both in his reasonable and unreasonable ways that he possess in the novel. He loves his family a lot but I also think that he sometimes feels lost and confused at the same time. He reveals his deep compassion for his mother, he is also very close with his stepfather Rolf who takes him as his own son, and his deep love for his half-sisters. Even through he has all the family love in the world Peak still feels incomplete he decides to attempt his void in negative ways he pushes his families limits by climbing the New York skyscraper to hook his blue tags, but eventually gets caught by the law. All of his plans are taken from him and is starting a whole new adventure without his family, has to live with his biological father.Through his travels he realize how much he miss his family and how closer he has
become with them. He also gets the chance to understand who he is and what he want to be in the future.
Conclusion
I would recommend the novel Peak to people that love adventure and action books, because it really get you at the edge of your seat to know what happens next. I would also recommend this novel to those who are not fond with reading, this book would be the best fit for you or anyone else that needs a book to entertain them. This book also has a lot of emotion especially at the end of the book which is my favorite part because it is something that each and every on of us can learn from. Learning how to appreciate what we have and making those willing decisions to those that don’t .
The novel Peak is written by Roland Smith expressing the physical and emotional tolls on a fourteen year old boy Peak Marcello as he climbs to reach for Mount Everest. In the opening scene, Peak writes about his outrageous stunt in scaling the Woolworth building in New York City to tag his blue mountain on them. Nevertheless, his plans rapidly come to a complete end, as he is caught and arrested for vandalism, and climbing. His stunt goes public and Peak is in deep trouble and has to go into juvenile as he recently hears about a boy who dies trying to attempt his same exact stunt. Just in a nick of time, Peak is saved from going into juvenile detention as the judge agrees to let Peak to go live with his famous mountaineer father Josh Woods in Thailand. However, it all turns out that Peak’s father has a special reason in saving his son; he wants Peak to be the youngest climber in scaling Everest in the efforts of publicity and money in saving his struggling company. Excited Peak is up for the challenge but soon learns again that his father would not be companying him, in the expense of his paying customers. Peak is sent off to his fathers head Sherpa for training and acclimation with a Nepalese boy his same age, name Sun-jo. At the same time, a media crew follows their every move at base camp in their effort to the summit. In addition, an over the top Chinese police captain diligently searches for passports violations and underage climbers. Peak and the others is very aware of the dangers in climbing Mount Everest and Base Camp, can cost them their lives. Peak’s empathy for Sun-jo makes him make a huge decision as he near the summit, revealing his growth and maturity. This novel reminds me of another novel “Somewhere In The Darkness” where it discusses a boy name Jimmy who’s lives with his maternal grandmother until his long- lost father shows up and takes him away in the efforts of running away from the law.
Craft and Structure
The author Roland Smith writes the novel in first person point of view threw the identity of a fourteen- year- old boy Peak Marcello. Where Peak describes his challenges and emotions on his effort to reaching the Summit through writing in his journal for a assignment for his teacher. "My name is Peak. Yeah, I know: weird name. But you don't get to pick your name or your parent". The author also includes a few things about or used in climbing that some people would not quite get such a crampons which, are devices used to improve the climbers mobility in the ice and snow. I was able to figure out what they were because I know cramp is to hold on to. So I know that it could not have been gloves but shoes that have spikes to attach to the snow and ice. Another word that I thought would be tricky is the word crevasses , crevasses are these deep cracks in the glacier that have long vertical walls. I was able to figure out what crevasses mean because I saw a true documentary on it.
Theme
I believe the theme of the novel was learning the deeper meaning of true friendship and the importance of family. Peak experiences both of these virtues at the end of the story and was able to grow and understand the meaning of a solid friendship that can last a lifetime. He didn’t have to give up his only opportunity he was just 10feet away from being the youngest climber to reach the summit."Tomorrow's your birthday. You have a reason to be here, Sun-jo. An important reason. Your future and your sisters' future. I don't have a reason for being here. I'm heading back down the north side." Peak recognized how important it would be to let Sun-jo to reach the summit before his birthday had come. I believe also that he did it because he was sorry that Sun-jo father died in the process of saving his and appreciated Sun-jo fathers courage and willingness to do so. "I didn't want to be the youngest person to summit Everest. Sun-jo's father died saving my father. Reaching the top would save Sun-jo and his sisters." Peak had his own responsibilities he had already help sun-jo to get to the top now he realized how important it would be to get down in order to be with his sister's and family. "The only thing you'll find on the summit of Mount Everest is a divine view. The things that really matter lie far below"
Characterization
The author developed the main character, through indirect characterization. Peak Marcello is an amazing young guy both in his reasonable and unreasonable ways that he possess in the novel. He loves his family a lot but I also think that he sometimes feels lost and confused at the same time. He reveals his deep compassion for his mother, he is also very close with his stepfather Rolf who takes him as his own son, and his deep love for his half-sisters. Even through he has all the family love in the world Peak still feels incomplete he decides to attempt his void in negative ways he pushes his families limits by climbing the New York skyscraper to hook his blue tags, but eventually gets caught by the law. All of his plans are taken from him and is starting a whole new adventure without his family, has to live with his biological father.Through his travels he realize how much he miss his family and how closer he has
become with them. He also gets the chance to understand who he is and what he want to be in the future.
Conclusion
I would recommend the novel Peak to people that love adventure and action books, because it really get you at the edge of your seat to know what happens next. I would also recommend this novel to those who are not fond with reading, this book would be the best fit for you or anyone else that needs a book to entertain them. This book also has a lot of emotion especially at the end of the book which is my favorite part because it is something that each and every on of us can learn from. Learning how to appreciate what we have and making those willing decisions to those that don’t .
April 5, 2018
How does this book not have well over 4 stars, and how has it taken me so long to read it? This is without a doubt one of the two best children's books about survival and adventure. The other is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Seriously, I can't see any kid, especially boys, not devouring this book. Now that so much about Mt. Everest is on the internet, every kid who reads this is going to be searching the internet for pictures of dead bodies, trash, base camps, and the summit. It's just fascinating material. If you die on Mt. Everest you stay on Mt. Everest. This book is the kid version of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
I'm not going to get into a synopsis, because trust me, you don't need it. You just need to start reading the book. But I will say that one of my favorite things about the book is that Peak's (the main character) mom tells him in a phone call while he's at Base Camp that you have to be selfish in order to make it to the summit, but when he is 10 yards from the summit he makes a move that is the exact opposite. Maybe that annoyed some readers and made them drop their rating, but for me it just made the book that much better. It's true that you can only think of yourself when disaster strikes or you'll be one of those dead bodies left behind. There is a story that Peak's dad tells that illustrates this point perfectly and it also explains why Peak made the decision he did at the Summit.
Just read the book if you have any interest in adventure or if you are a librarian who needs a book that will be a sure thing for boys.
I'm not going to get into a synopsis, because trust me, you don't need it. You just need to start reading the book. But I will say that one of my favorite things about the book is that Peak's (the main character) mom tells him in a phone call while he's at Base Camp that you have to be selfish in order to make it to the summit, but when he is 10 yards from the summit he makes a move that is the exact opposite. Maybe that annoyed some readers and made them drop their rating, but for me it just made the book that much better. It's true that you can only think of yourself when disaster strikes or you'll be one of those dead bodies left behind. There is a story that Peak's dad tells that illustrates this point perfectly and it also explains why Peak made the decision he did at the Summit.
Just read the book if you have any interest in adventure or if you are a librarian who needs a book that will be a sure thing for boys.
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