Peak

( 295 )

Overview

When fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello's long-lost father presents the opportunity for them to summit Everest together, Peak doesn't even consider saying no--even though he suspects there are a few strings attached. And if he makes it to the top before his birthday, he'll be the youngest person ever to stand above 29,000 feet. It's not a bad turn of events for a guy who's been stuck in New York City with only skyscrapers to (illegally) scale.

Here, in Peak's own words, is the ...

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Peak

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More About This Book

Overview

When fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello's long-lost father presents the opportunity for them to summit Everest together, Peak doesn't even consider saying no--even though he suspects there are a few strings attached. And if he makes it to the top before his birthday, he'll be the youngest person ever to stand above 29,000 feet. It's not a bad turn of events for a guy who's been stuck in New York City with only skyscrapers to (illegally) scale.

Here, in Peak's own words, is the exhilarating, gut-wrenching story of what happened on that climb to the top of the world--a climb that changed everything. Welcome to Mount Everest.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher
[set star] “A thrilling, multifaceted adventure story . . . A winner at every level.”—Booklist (starred)
 
“A riveting read for reluctant and experienced readers alike.”—VOYA (5Q—highest rating)
Publishers Weekly

Here's the perfect antidote for a kid who thinks books are boring. In his latest, Smith (Cryptid Hunters) introduces 14-year-old Peak Marcello (named by his mountaineering parents) as he's arrested for scaling Manhattan's Woolworth Building, in an attempt to graffiti his tag-a blue mountain peak-high on the side of it. Peak is headed for a long stint in juvie when his estranged father swoops into the courtroom with a solution that will get the media's newest darling-the papers have dubbed Peak "Spider Boy"-immediately and far out of sight. Before the trek to China, where Peak's father runs a commercial climbing operation on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, Peak's English teacher, Vincent, gives him two notebooks to fill, which will complete his requirements for the school year. This conceit allows Peak to tell his story in his own wry voice and to share lots of Vincent's advice. "A good writer should draw the reader in by starting in the middle of the story with a hook," Peak recalls. "I guess Vincent thinks readers are fish." The hook here is irresistible-Peak will try to become the youngest person ever to scale Everest-overcoming Chinese bureaucrats, resentment of his father, rivalry with a Nepalese teen who has the same goal, avalanches, icy crevasses, howling winds, searing cold and many, many frozen corpses to reach the 29,028-foot summit. The nifty plotting, gripping story line and Peak's assured delivery give those who join this expedition much to savor. Ages 12-up. (May)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
VOYA - Mathew Sprague
I really liked this book a lot. I was quite surprised by the ending and the decisions that Peak made. I think that those decisions were made because he remembered what his mom told him on the phone about having to be really selfish to be a climber, and he was thinking about his twin sisters.
VOYA - Kim Carter
Met at the top of the Woolworth Building in New York City by a SWAT team, fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello faces years of jail time as a result of his evening climb to tag the top of the building. But his long-absent father swoops in and negotiates to take Peak out of the country long enough to let the publicity die down. When Peak learns that his father's motives are self-serving, aimed at garnering advertising for his Thailand-based climbing company, Peak has choices to make, ultimately opting for the opportunity to be the youngest climber to summit Everest, even if it means serving his father's purpose. In an attempt to deflect attention, Josh-Peak's father doesn't like to be called "Dad"-puts Peak in the care of Zopa, a former head Sherpa-turned-Buddhist monk. Zopa and Peak are joined by Sun-jo, a young Nepalese boy whose Sherpa father died saving Josh's life. This book is Peak's story about what really happens on the mountain, including coming to terms with his relationship with his father as well as with his mother and stepfather, twin sisters, and above all, with himself. The first-person narrative is presented as a school-credit writing assignment done throughout the journey, adding an element that serves to tether the story to some more mundane realities. Deftly developed characters who matter and a gritty story line packed with the intrigue and challenge of serious mountain climbing for serious stakes make this book a riveting read for reluctant and experienced readers alike.
VOYA - Kelsey Sands
Fourteen-year-old Peak is a prodigy climber who appears to have more maturity than most adults in this book. He struggles with the idea of being used by his father for personal gain and tells the story of what he does to battle that. The book is very well written and even humorous at times. People who enjoy reading about a character's personal growth and how that person overcomes challenges will like this book.
KLIATT - Paula Rohrlick
When Peak scales a Manhattan skyscraper in order to tag it, he's caught and arrested. He escapes being sentenced to Juvenile Detention when he agrees to go live with his long-absent father, who runs a climbing company in Thailand. However, it turns out that Peak's father has a special reason for rescuing his son: he wants Peak, age 14, to be the youngest person to scale Everest, because the publicity could help save his struggling company. Reaching Everest's summit is every climber's dream, but can Peak survive the trip? Altitude, illness, bad weather, and a hostile Chinese army official all pose problems, not to mention the film crew focused on Peak's every move. And will a younger Tibetan Sherpa reach the top before him? Lots of convincing detail about the rigors of mountain climbing and the political situation in Tibet add to the realism in this tale of a boy testing himself against the elements, struggling with his relationship with his father, and making difficult moral decisions. Readers will enjoy Peak's daring, the exotic setting and the suspense.
Children's Literature - Sharon Salluzzo
When Peak Marcello is caught climbing the side of a New York City skyscraper, the judge is determined to throw the book at him. His mother, stepfather, and father devise a plan that will keep him out of jail and away from the press. He is to leave the United States with his father, Josh, a famous mountain climber. Peak thinks he is on his way to Thailand and is thrilled when his father takes him to climb Mount Everest. Peak is hoping to bond with the father he hardly knows; however, it is not long before he learns the real reason his father has brought him there: He wants his son to have the distinction of being the youngest climber to reach the peak of Mount Everest. It would bring a great deal of fame and fortune to Josh. The plot thickens as the Buddhist monk, Zopa, hopes that his grandson, Sun-Jo, will be the youngest to reach the summit. Sun-Jo is in Tibet on forged papers, and he is being tracked by the Chinese Captain Shek. Readers will feel the difficulties of climbing this mountain. The story is full of action, mystery, the suspense of who will make it to the summit, and the added suspense of Chinese politics. The harshness of climbing Everest offers Peak harsh lessons of life and death, and helps him grasp the true importance of family and friends. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up
In this high-altitude adventure, 14-year-old Peak Marcello's passion for climbing is clearly in the genes, but when he is arrested for scaling tall buildings, his mom and stepdad make a deal with the judge to ship him out of the country to live with her ex-husband and squelch the media attention that might inspire "Spider Boy" copycats. The teen's father, Josh, and his Himalayan expedition company are preparing teams to climb Mount Everest and suddenly Peak is faced with the possibility of becoming the youngest climber to reach the summit. Excited about the adventure, he learns that Josh may have less-than-fatherly motives involving publicity and financial gain for his company, at the expense of his paying customers. Peak is handed off to his father's head Sherpa for training and altitude acclimation with a Nepalese boy his own age, named Sun-jo. At the same time, a media crew gathers at base camp to witness the climb, and an overzealous Chinese police captain doggedly searches for passport violations and underage climbers. Facts about Mount Everest, base camps, and the dangers of climbing are plentiful, depicting an international culture made up of individuals who are often self-absorbed and indifferent to the Tibetan Sherpas, who risk their lives for them. Peak's empathy for Sun-jo helps him make a critical decision as they near the summit, revealing his emotional growth and maturity. A well-crafted plot and exotic setting give the novel great appeal to survival adventure fans.
—Vicki ReutterCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews
Dare-devil mountain-climber, Peak Marcello (14), decides to scale the Woolworth Building and lands in jail. To save him, his long-lost Everest-trekking dad appears with a plan for the duo to make a life in Katmandu-a smokescreen to make Peak become the youngest person in history to summit Mount Everest. Peak must learn to navigate the extreme and exotic terrain but negotiate a code of ethics among men. This and other elements such as the return of the long-lost father, bite-size chunks of information about climbing and altitude, an all-male cast, competition and suspense (can Peak be the youngest ever to summit Everest, and can he beat out a 14-year-old Nepalese boy who accompanies him?) creates the tough stuff of a "boys read." The narrative offers enough of a bumpy ride to satisfy thrill seekers while Peak's softer reflective quality lends depth and some-but not too much-emotional resonance. Teachers will want to pair this with Mark Pfetzer's Within Reach: My Everest Story (1998). (Fiction. 12-15)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780152062682
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Publication date: 8/1/2008
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 256
  • Sales rank: 204
  • Age range: 12 - 17 Years
  • Lexile: 760L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 4.50 (w) x 6.90 (h) x 0.80 (d)

Meet the Author


Roland Smith is a former zookeeper and leading expert on red wolves as well as an author. He lives on a small farm near Portland, Oregon.
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 295 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(198)

4 Star

(53)

3 Star

(19)

2 Star

(11)

1 Star

(14)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 299 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 20, 2009

    Amazing Book

    Peak by Ronald Smith is an action filled realistic fiction novel. I liked this book because it made me want to keep reading it from beginning to end because of all the adventure going on in the book at once.This story takes place in New York City and Asia. The major conflict in this book is that after being arrested for climbing a skyscraper, Peak has to live with his father in Thailand and is planning on climbing Mount Everest while he is there. Peak thinks he is going to bond with his father but his father actually wants Peak to be the youngest person to reach the peak of Everest for the fame and fortune. Another kid though is trying to also be the youngest to climb Everest. Him and Peak battle to get to the top and learn a lesson from it. The story is told by Peak in the first person. I liked how the author wrote this book because he didn't make things complicated to understand and it was simple to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a thrilling story. Anyone who reads this book will get an adventure out of it.

    16 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 4, 2011

    Great book!

    My daughter was assigned this book in class (7th grade). It seemed interesting, so I gave it a shot. I couldn't put it down. It has adventure, wit and heart. I highly suggest it to any young teen...Moms and Dads should read it as well.

    8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 18, 2007

    peak is an outstanding book

    This is an outstanding book. I love the way the author starts out with him climbing the side of a skyscraper.If you are the kind of person that likes an exciteing book that you will hav a hard time putting down, this is the book for you. this book is about an almost 15 year old bok that love climbing things. when he get caught climbing a skyscraper he has 2 choices,1 spend some time in prison and 2 go live with his father. he dosnt want to go to prison so he goes to live with his father. he espects to go to his house but his father has something different in mind for him. he takes Peak to mount everest. This book exceptally showed how much it takes to get to the top of everest.along the way to the top of everest peak finds another 14 year old on his way to the top. only 1 problem.....he is 1 week younger then him. like i said this book is outstanding if you get a chance to read it I would, it is a preaty short book that i read in 2 days. sorry Mrs.Britt it was 3 paragraphs but it got squished

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 30, 2011

    AMAZING

    My friend read it and thought it was so cool and interesting.
    It your looking 4 a great book with a winding path to the end ... it right here...PEAK.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted November 2, 2011

    Highly Recommened

    When 14 year old Peak Marcello is presented with the opportunity to climb Mt. Everest with his long-lost father, he doesn't even hesitate to say no. You could say Peak got his passion for climbing from his father, who has been gone for more than 12 years of Peak's life, or you could say he picked it up on his own. Either way, if Peak reaches the top of Mt. Everest before his 15th birthday, he will be the youngest person ever to stand 29,000 feet. It's defiantly a step up from illegally climbing skyscrapers to get his climbing thrills. On his journey to the summit of Mt. Everest Peak faces many challenges, such as, altitude sickness, numbing temperatures, and even himself. Peak is an easy read with lots of plot twists that keep the reader entertained from page one until the end. Great Book!

    3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 29, 2012

    Good

    Great book but bad ending

    2 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 26, 2011

    AMAZING

    Loved it. One of my faves

    2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 14, 2011

    A good book

    This is a very good book it is about a boy named Peak who has to take risks and gets the chance to climb Mt. Everest he experiences on the way friendships and hardships he must overcome so get this book and read it !!!!

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 2, 2011

    One of the best

    This is a book that any teenager would enjoy. I have read it about 12 times. No joke. I have read this book more than anybook i have ever read. I wish they coukd makeba sequek or something. A movie about this would be great. Read it!

    2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 5, 2010

    I am probably the only one who dosen't like this book

    It's not just about mountain climbing. don't get me wrong it was an alright book, but i guess it didn't really get to me. it's relatable to a certain extent. to me the book is very interest oriented. overal it's an okay novel to read.

    2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 29, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    dayo

    This is my favorite book. it is a story that you cant put down

    2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 8, 2013

    Great!

    Love this book. It was great thefirst time, but even better the second. Highly reccomended for adventorous liking people.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 28, 2012

    Absolutly stellar

    This action packed book will keep you on the edge of your set until the last page . Read it!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 4, 2012

    Over All Very Good Book

    I thought this book was extreamly intresting, i was sucked in by the writers fantastic writing. However i would not suggest to a younger reader some subjects in this book may be bad a example

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 30, 2011

    Must read!

    I just finished this book and it was amazing!!! It's not too wordy and it's easy to understand. It's a really good adventure story and story of survival, I suggest you read it even if you're in the fence if reading it. You won't be sorry!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 29, 2011

    Weird

    Hate

    1 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 12, 2011

    Great book! You have to read this!!

    Peak
    By Roland Smith
    Number of Stars: 5
    Peak, the main character, loves to climb. He got that from his parents who have been climbing since before he was born. However, a horrible climbing accident stopped his mother from climbing and separated his parents. His dad is a mountain guide on Mt. Everest with his own successful business, so he¿s never around. Peak doesn¿t get to climb much living in New York, but a dangerous climbing stunt that almost lands him in jail, sends him away to live with his father in Tibet.
    Little to Peak¿s, or his mother¿s, knowledge, Peak was about to experience the climb of a lifetime. His dad set him up to be the youngest climber to get to the top of Mt. Everest. Peak is happy that his dad is finally taking part in his life, but is it just so he can get the youngest climber to the top of Everest and get the publicity? As the story goes along, Peak faces many different hardships, working hard to get to the top. However, a turn in events and a drastic change makes you wonder if he¿ll get the chance to summit at all?
    This story is jam-packed with dangerous and suspenseful stunts that leave you wanting more. I think teens will like the book Peak because it has drama and action that a lot of other books for teens don¿t have. The main character is a teenager himself, so we¿ll be able to relate to him and some of the things he¿s feeling, like being away from his mom, step dad, and two little half-sisters.
    Overall, Peak is a good book to read because it has just the right amount of drama, humor, and suspense to make a great book. Follow Peak¿s adventure up the tallest mountain in the world, as he learns valuable life lessons and makes long term friends.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 3, 2011

    Must Read!

    This was an amazing book! I read it for school and afterwards we had a Skype chat with Roland Smith himself. He really put the book into perspective for us. it's a great book everyone should read!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 30, 2013

    They need to make books abou black jesus

    They never make books about black jesus some peeple think he is not reel weel i do man you guyzzzzzz suk so much you shold all make me a book in blk jesus plezzzzz

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 30, 2013

    School

    I have to read this for school and so far it is really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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