Today, we're going to hit a more adventurous read, and one which takes a historical twist. This one promises tension pure as two kids fight for survival on Mount Everest.
ONE WRONG STEP
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Scholastic Press
Middle Grade Historical Adventure
336 pages
COMING...
MARCH 4th!!!
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a brand-new, spine-tingling adventure about two kids and their fight for survival on the unforgiving trails of Mount Everest. Jennifer Nielsen's storytelling climbs to new heights in this epic about loss, letting go, and the most important lesson a climber can where the eye goes, a person follows.
For a climber, letting go means certain death. For Atlas, it means something even worse. But he'll have to learn how to let go and look up if he ever wants to see the top...
Twelve-year-old Atlas Wade has been trying to forget the memory of his mother by climbing mountains ever since she died when he was nine years old. When his father signs them up for an expedition group hoping to be the first to ever summit the unconquerable Mount Everest, Atlas can't wait for the chance to prove himself to his father, and maybe finally he can leave his mother behind him on the mountain.
But this time, Atlas is the one left behind, as well as a young American girl named Maddie and their sturdy yet injured Sherpa, Chodak. When news breaks out that war has returned to Europe, and that Nazis are attempting their own summit dangerously nearby, Atlas and Maddie plead with the expedition to come back down.
Their warnings come too late. Atlas looks up that same morning to see an avalanche and when they receive no word from the group, Maddie and Chodak join Atlas as he begins a dangerous journey up the mountain in the hopes of finding survivors.
Atlas, Maddie, and Chodak will have to rely not just on their own wits for survival, but on each other as well, especially as sickness, bad weather, and their fears of a Nazi spy watching them puts their mission -- and lives -- at risk in the brutal terrain. And Atlas will have to learn how to let go if he wants any chance of finding his father and fixing the rift between them caused by his mother's death, before it's too late.
Using one of the world's greatest -- and most infamous -- mountains as a backdrop, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen's storytelling climbs to new heights in this touching, thrilling epic about grief, letting go, and the bonds that keep us alive.
For a climber, letting go means certain death. For Atlas, it means something even worse. But he'll have to learn how to let go and look up if he ever wants to see the top...
Twelve-year-old Atlas Wade has been trying to forget the memory of his mother by climbing mountains ever since she died when he was nine years old. When his father signs them up for an expedition group hoping to be the first to ever summit the unconquerable Mount Everest, Atlas can't wait for the chance to prove himself to his father, and maybe finally he can leave his mother behind him on the mountain.
But this time, Atlas is the one left behind, as well as a young American girl named Maddie and their sturdy yet injured Sherpa, Chodak. When news breaks out that war has returned to Europe, and that Nazis are attempting their own summit dangerously nearby, Atlas and Maddie plead with the expedition to come back down.
Their warnings come too late. Atlas looks up that same morning to see an avalanche and when they receive no word from the group, Maddie and Chodak join Atlas as he begins a dangerous journey up the mountain in the hopes of finding survivors.
Atlas, Maddie, and Chodak will have to rely not just on their own wits for survival, but on each other as well, especially as sickness, bad weather, and their fears of a Nazi spy watching them puts their mission -- and lives -- at risk in the brutal terrain. And Atlas will have to learn how to let go if he wants any chance of finding his father and fixing the rift between them caused by his mother's death, before it's too late.
Using one of the world's greatest -- and most infamous -- mountains as a backdrop, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen's storytelling climbs to new heights in this touching, thrilling epic about grief, letting go, and the bonds that keep us alive.
MY TIDBITS
History meets adventure in a way which pushes characters to their limits and lets the bravery of human spirit shine.
Atlas's mother died three years before, and he still mourns her loss, especially when him and his father are hiking and mountain climbing. After all, these were some of her favorite activities. Atlas and his father have always had a goal, to scale Mount Everest. They've climbed high peeks, taken months to get themselves acclimated in Tibet, and have arranged all the necessary professional equipment and guides. So they are prepared. But things don't go as planned, and Atlas finds himself making some very tough decisions...ones that could cost his and others' lives.
While this is based on historical events and circumstances around 1939, several aspects are, actually, impossible. Atlas is only fourteen and would have never been involved in an expedition to Mount Everest in 1939. Another teen, Maddie, who joins later and has a fear of heights, would have even been less accepted. Once this aspect is overlooked, the story is very well written. I just wish there had been a word to the reader in the beginning explaining this.
The story is tense, grabbing, and keeps the reader in the pages. The author brings the dangers across carefully and clearly, and hits upon facts surrounding climbing and such which aren't often addressed, especially for this age group. The researcher, who joins the group for his studies, is a great way to introduce the more scientific goals of the time and rolls in some of the aspects naturally, especially during conversations. While the knowledge goodness slides in here and there, the tension is kept high to make sure there's never a boring moment. Atlas makes one mistake after the other, which gives him a more realistic touch and also adds extra clout when his father refuses to let him go past a certain point. Not that the adventure ends at that moment.
This didn't hit on the Nazi side nearly as much as I expected after reading the blurb, but the occurrences in Europe are mentioned and explained. A side character also is involved in this aspect, but the story still stays focused on Atlas and the adventures during the climb.
The ending makes sure the story sticks to the middle grade audience and wraps things up much nicer than reality would have done.
It's a grabbing read for outdoor adventure fans, who love tension, danger, and characters who push their boundaries.
2 comments:
This is one of my top reads for 2025. I'm glad you enjoyed it some much. I hope I can read an ARC of it soon.
It is hard to find a well written read in this direction for MG, isn't it? Can't wait to hear what you think of it!
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