Peak by Roland Smith

Roland Smith's Peak is the story of a young man of the same name, who is arrested early in the novel for climbing skyscrapers in New York.  Peak's father, who is flown in for the trial, urges Peak to accomplish a goal that is mainly his own- he wants Peak to become the first 14-year-old to climb Mount Everest.  Peak is perfect for this job- he is a born climber and has been climbing for much of his life.  One of the Shirpas who guides them on the climb has a 14-year-old grandson of his own.  The relationship that forms between Peak and Sunjo (the grandson) is of central importance to the novel.  The decision that Peak makes when they reach the top reflects his resentful feelings towards his father (who cares more about what Peak might achieve than Peak himself) and his newfound understanding and appreciation of the Shirpa culture from which Sunjo hails. 

Analysis:  This novel could be great for students who are more interested in sports and the outdoors than reading.  It would probably appeal most to boys- although some outdoor-oriented girls will appreciate it as well.  This is definitely a novel that is aimed at the reluctant reader- it is not difficult to read and deals with sports and adventure rather than more intellectual topics.  This book would be appropriate for middle school and early high-school.

Ideas:  If the school where you work has a gym program that goes off-campus for alternative sports such as mountain-climbing, an instructor could recommend this book to students who are enrolled in this program.  It might help to motivate them in their physical education as well as connect them to the reading, since they may have direct experience with the activity.