To the Top of Everest FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature
In this compelling tale of courage and danger, Skreslet relates the triumphs and the tragedy of becoming the first Canadian to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Of the 21 Canadians and 30 Sherpas who began the trek, only six people actually reached the top. Four people died along the way and a third of the group gave up and returned home when bad weather set in. Skreslet keeps his young audience in mind as he discusses his mountain climbing training and his determination to always do better than his best. His spectacular photographs, some as two-page spreads, provide a sense of the magnificent grandeur of the peaks. Other photos reveal significant aspects of the journey, such as the extreme cold, the raging winds and the resolve of the climbers. The difficulty of breathing, the nausea, the loss of appetite and the disorientation of surviving in high altitudes are effectively described. The exhilaration of reaching his goal is tempered with his need to descend the mountain safely as he passes bodies and monuments to those who did not survive. He credits his early experiences with Outward Bound and its motto, "to serve, to strive and not to yield," as his guiding focus for the adventure. A glossary and web site for Skreslet appear at the end of the book. 2001, Kids Can Press, $16.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer:Phyllis Kennemer
Parent Council Reviews
Join Everest climber Laurie Skreslet and his team as they encounter near-death experiences in order to triumph over the world's most notorious mountain. The book's background information prepares the reader to appreciate more fully the team's climb and return. Full-color photographs illustrate this unique venture into another world. 2001, Kids Can Press, $16.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: M. Thomas SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-In this stunningly illustrated volume, readers learn about how Skreslet worked hard and challenged himself to achieve his dream of climbing Mount Everest. He talks about his overprotective parents and his unyielding desire for adventure, leaving home at age 17 to join the merchant marines, and his love of mountain climbing. Although he states that he had "poor balance, was afraid of heights and was clumsy," he persevered to overcome those challenges. He shows the incredible dangers of mountain climbing, and children will enthusiastically cheer him on and applaud his success. Dozens of color photographs inform readers about the equipment involved and show pictures of people, animals, and mountains in Nepal. Blue information boxes are scattered throughout the volume to serve up tidbits about "Sherpas," "The Yeti," and "Going to the Bathroom" on a snowy mountain. This exhilarating book is a great addition to the popular literature about climbing Mount Everest.-Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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