Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Kyra

Peak is a 14 year old, living in New York. He loves climbing anything, which isn't surprising, considering that both of his parents were  once famous mountain climbers. Now, they are divorced, and Peak's mother has settled down with a man named Rolf. Peak lives with them and his two twin step-sisters (although he thinks of them more like regular sisters). His father currently still climbs mountains, and never responds to the many letters Peak writes him. Peak determines that his father wants nothing to do with him, so he just stops trying to contact him. But one day, everything changes.
Peak's hobby is climbing skyscrapers. Sure, its illigal, but its such a rush! Peak is climbing his (7th I think) skyscraper, and is close to the top, he draws two mountains and spray paints them blue. Suddenly, police cars and helicopters come. When Peak gets to the top, they arrest him.
It is a huge case across America. They find out that Peak has climbed a ton of skyscrapers all over the city. While they sort this out, Peak sits in Juvi. His face is on the front page almost every day, as they find out who his parents are: He is Joshua Woods, the famous mountain climbers, son. As headline after headline are still about him, Peak just stops reading. Then, one day, there is shocking news: a boy who idoled Peak, just went on his very first climb up the skyscraper that Peak had. After he got up 75 feet, he fell to his death. Peak is then taken to a judge, and his lawyer convinces the judge that just a fine and probation out of the state will be enough. If Peak goes out of the public eye, this wont happen again (they determine it the media's fault that the boy died, and not Peak's fault) Peak is very confused until he sees his real father, Joshua Wood, standing say that he will take Peak in with him, in Thailand.
Well, after that, Peak find out that his father intends for him to climb the greatest mountain in the world, Everest. If he does it quickly, he could be the youngest person ever tor each the peak. Now I don't think I should go any farther, but let me just say, not too soon afterwards, a boy who is six days older than Peak, Sun-jo, is going to be tagging along.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was very gripping, beginning to end. The story line was very unique, and the sacrifce that Peak makes you realize how he matured. But, another lesson he learned can be summarized at the end: The only thing you'll find on Mount Everest is a divine view. The things that matter lie far below.