Peak (A Peak Marcello Adventure)

by Roland Smith

Book Overview

The only thing you’ll find on the summit of Mount Everest is a divine view. The things that really matter lie far below. – Peak MarcelloAfter fourteen-year-old 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...

• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 0545032032
• ISBN13: 9780545038133
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Criminally underrated

Excellent young adult book. One of my top books ever

Hands down one of my favorites

I love how realistic it feels to read this book. Theres alot of information, I loved connecting to the characters. And it had a good twist.

Excellent Choice!

The book Peak by Roland Smith was a wonderful book, which made me comprehend why bravery comes with danger. This book supported courage, trust and persistance. I loved this book so I gave it a 5 out of 5 stars. I think that all sorts of people would enjoy this book. I think that you should read this book. The genre is adverterous fiction. In the book, Peak, who is the main charater, wants to get up to the summit on Mount Everest. Will he make ut up the icy slopes, or will the cold get the best of him?? B.G.

Great book!

My 10-year-old son bought this book at a book fair at his school. I was doubtful that he would ever read it, since it has no illustrations (except for a map of the mountain) and has nothing to do with basketball or baseball, my son's usual interests. However, he loved it and read it all quite quickly. He recommended it to me, so I read it too. It is an excellent book for anyone over age 9 or so, adult or kid.

Peak

Lots of good information about climbing in this book. It is exciting and yet methodical, which is what climbing safely is. It was amazing to learn about all the preparation and the challenges. A great deal of credit needs to go to the Sherpas.

Peak

In the book Peak, Roland Smith tells a realistic fiction story about a fourteen-year-old boy who gets a chance to summit Mt. Everest. But, when Peak gets up to Base Camp he discovers the good and bad sides to this climb. The story begins with Peak at home in New York where he attends a special school called GSS. They don't specialize in climbing though. Eventually, he discovers another talent, writing. So his new English teacher gives him an assignment to write in moleskin journals about anything interesting in his life. Then his desire to climb gets him into a lot of trouble with the law. So his mom and step dad, make a bargain with the law, which includes going to live with his father who is a well-known professional climber. So he sets off to Nepal with his dad, and learns more about climbing, family history and to appreciate his step dad and sisters. Also on this thrilling adventure, he gets to know many people other than his dad Sun jo a Nepalese boy who's grandfather Zopa is accompanying them up to Base Camp. Another climber, Holly Anglo who is a reporter who wants to tell the story bout the youngest person ever to summit Everest. Which if everything goes okay then that will be Peak. Zopa is trying to hide Sun jo on the Tibetan side of the mountain with a crazy Captain Shek who is after illegal climbers. Shek is constantly trying to find Sun jo and deport him to Nepal. On top of all his discoveries there are so many obstacles on the mountain itself than Peak can imagine. He and Sun jo must help each other make it to the top. Their biggest problem though is the oxygen. There isn't any. The higher they go there is less oxygen and more breath taking obstacles and sights there are.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Have you ever wondered what inspires people to climb mountains? What drives some to the highest peaks? Fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello was born to climb. Born to a couple of dedicated "rock rats," Peak has climbing in his blood. Peak's parents are divorced. He hasn't heard from his father for years. Suddenly, after being arrested for illegally climbing a skyscraper, Peak finds himself on his way to Kathmandu to join his dad, famous climber, Joshua Wood. Forced to leave his mother, stepfather, and half-sisters behind, Peak has mixed feelings about the trip. It means spending time in some of the best climbing territory in the world. It also means spending time with a man who never answered his letters or bothered to get to know his own son. Once Peak arrives in the neighborhood of Mt. Everest, the real plan becomes evident. Joshua Wood runs an adventure/expedition company struggling to make ends meet. Taking the youngest ever person to the summit of Mt. Everest would assure the continued success of his company. Peak is just the fourteen year old for the job. Can he survive the brutal conditions and make it to the top? Will his father be able to protect him from the foreign authorities who have other ideas about who should be allowed to climb in their country? Peak Marcello is about to have the adventure of a lifetime. His mental as well as physical strength will be tested, and what is truly important in life will be revealed. Roland Smith, well-known for his adventure books, provides another great story for his fans. The struggle to survive on Mt. Everest, in addition to the thrilling attempt to reach its summit, makes for some fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat reading. I recommend PEAK for any teen collection. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"