In this unputdownable, spine-tingling adventure of a lifetime called “a winner at every level,”* fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello attempts to be the youngest climber to summit Mount Everest.
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 an overseas climbing company.
But Peak quickly learns that his father's renewed interest in him has strings attached. Big strings. As owner of Peak Expeditions, he wants his son 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. It's also one that could cost him his life.
This thrilling teen climbing adventure is ""the perfect antidote for kids who think books are boring"" (Publishers Weekly starred review).
Roland Smith's Peak Marcello's Adventures are:
*Booklist, starred review
Download and start listening now!
"Great read! At the Torino Olympics, Bodie Miller had an interview where he talked about the competitiveness of sport. He thinks it is crazy that we weed people out of sports, so that only the strongest and fastest compete after the age of 20 or so. I think Peak's decision to not reach the summit was in this same vein of thinking. In 21st century America, we are always looking to see who is the best. We have phrases in our popular culture like, "Nobody remembers 2nd place!" The U.S. started allowing professional athletes into the Olympics in 1992 after not getting the gold in Men's Basketball at the Seoul Olympics. Maybe you have heard this phrase as well, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing!" It is pathetic that this is the way the majority of our society thinks. Bravo, Peak!"
— Owen (4 out of 5 stars)
" A book worth reading. A compelling story that allows the reader to picture themselves in Peak's place. "
— Emma, 2/12/2014" This book was good if you wanted to kill sime. The story line got boring after a while, but it can shine after a while. Peak Marcello is like a normal kid. Until he climbed a skyscraper to graffiti his mark. He gets caught and is almost sent to jail. His dad appears in court and he is a famous mountain climber. He says he'll take Peak out of the country to live with him. They let him, but instead, he takes Peak to climb Mount Everest. Peak could become the youngest kid to climb it. He meets a buddhist monk, Zopa, and a kid named Sun Jo to help him climb it. Now he must climb the mountain, but can he trust Sun Jo and Zopa. The storyline is boring after a while, but the author does a great job of describing the mountain and good sentence fluency. This book is an okay choice. "
— Igor, 2/11/2014" a boy with mountain climbing in his genes realizes that he has to take a step back to see what is right under his nose, along the way he comes face to face with Everest "
— pati, 2/7/2014" This is a thrilling and exciting book. I couldn't even put it down if my life depended on it. "
— Lauren, 1/30/2014" Gripping story of a boy attempting to climb Everest. Surprise ending and very satisfying. Loved this book. Couldn't put it down. My middle schoolers will love this book! "
— Prairieprincipal, 1/29/2014" So far, this book is so good! It is about a boy who likes to climb, and his Dad takes him on Everest! I guess you'll have to read to find out the rest. "
— Brandon, 1/29/2014" I liked this, surprisingly. But it's been taking me so much longer to read books AAHHH! School makes me so busy "
— Jules, 1/19/2014" I really liked the writing style and thought it was a cute story. "
— Pandora, 1/7/2014" Peak should have just finished the climb instead of the other kid "
— Brittany, 12/16/2013" i think peak is more of a grown-up book. i didn't understand most parts but the parts i did understand i enjoyed. it also taught me i'm never going to climb mt. everest.EVER. "
— Maiya, 12/8/2013" It seems like it would be dull but the adventure Peak finds on Mt. Everest is far from. "
— Megan, 11/22/2013" Action packed adventure! Excelent for anyone who enjoys hiking or alpine climing or anyone who finds it to be an interesting topic. The many surprising twists and turns in the story keep you hanging on the edge of yout seat and defy you to pu the book down! "
— David, 11/9/2013" This is good young adult fiction. It's not patronizing, and the story takes you across the world and across cultures. The detail is persuasive and the characters are real. Smith evokes the Everest adventure effectively, and while there is an inspiring ending, it is not a completely happy one. "
— Charles, 10/22/2013" This is an amazing tale of sacrifice and friendship "
— â“eah, 8/27/2013" So much in one book: adventure, family drama, and more about climbing Mt. Everest than I could have imagined. You feel like you're with Peak every step of the way. "
— Julie, 4/27/2013" This was a great adventure book. I liked the characters and the story. I am not sure I loved the ending, but that is ok. I would recommend this book. "
— Adam, 4/20/2013" Good book, but as it kept going it got more and more boring. "
— Chance, 12/25/2012" Loved it! Great action- and the guys at my school can't get enough of this author! "
— Mary, 11/26/2012" A boy named peak gets caught climbing a skyscraper and sent to live with his dad in Kathmundu or so he thought. Its an inspirational story where a boy learns why his dad really helped him. A tantalizing tidbit is "
— David, 7/7/2012" Another fantasic book by Roland Smith. Nothin but the best. "
— Jonah, 5/19/2012" great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— jym jones, 2/14/2012" It was a really good book. Had a lot of action, but some boring slow parts. "
— Aaron, 10/20/2011" This was very good my teacher last year recomended this to me and I loved it if you don't know much about rock climbing or just climbing in genaral you may think no I wont like that I would be confused!! Can't knock until you try it!! "
— 10-12, 8/13/2011" This book is amazing for anybody who loves a good adventure book. "
— Blake, 6/29/2011" This book gives a good, basic explanation about the ins and outs of climbing Mt. Everest--that alone makes it thrilling and interesting. I didn't love the set-up for getting to the mountain, it felt pretty far-fetched to me, but I didn't mind it's coming-of-age culmination. "
— Jenny, 5/11/2011" A story about a troubled young man climbing Mt. Everest! "
— McKenna, 5/11/2011" Great book! I learned a lot about Mt. Everest ... Started looking up more after reading this! "
— Danielle, 5/4/2011" Slow start, but good overall. Main character is likeable. Some of it seemed far fetched. "
— Renae, 4/25/2011" Another fantasic book by Roland Smith. Nothin but the best. "
— Jonah, 4/22/2011" A book worth reading. A compelling story that allows the reader picture themselves in Peak's place. "
— Emma, 4/21/2011" enjoyable adventure. Would suggest this book to 6-8 grade boys. Outcome was a bit predictable, but a good story. "
— Joanne, 4/20/2011Pat Young is a voice talent and audiobook narrator. His reading of Love and First Sight won an AudioFile Earphones Award.
Pat Young is a voice talent and audiobook narrator. His reading of Love and First Sight won an AudioFile Earphones Award.