Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language: 3 swear words, in addition, the word “crevasse” used twice to mean “ass”

Violence: A boy dies while climbing a skyscraper. Climbers die while climbing Mount Everest. A porter slashes a yak’s throat and sleeps in its carcass so he won’t freeze to death.

Sexual Content: Peak, the boy telling the story, explains that he was conceived in a 2-man tent in Yosemite Park.

Adult Themes: Peak’s parents are divorced and he almost never sees or hears from his father. As they get to know each other, their relationship is often strained when Peak’s expectations of his father are not met.

Synopsis

14-year old Peak Marcello is in big trouble. When he is caught climbing the Woolworth Building in New York City, his mother makes a deal that will keep him out of jail. But the deal includes Peak leaving New York and his family to live in Thailand with his famous mountain climber father, Josh. What Peak and his mother do not know is that Josh is planning for Peak to become the youngest climber ever to summit Everest. As Peak becomes aware of his father’s plan, he wonders whether his father truly loves him or whether he is using him for more publicity and fame for himself.

Climbing Everest is TOUGH, but Peak is ready for the challenge and he learns many life lessons as he climbs the world’s highest mountain.

We read this book aloud as a family and both parents and children loved it.

©2009 The Literate Mother