Everest Book 1: The Contest

     By the title it is probably obvious that this book is similar to "the Peak". Both are about climbing and Everest but "Everest Book 1" is written at a level that makes it accessible to more readers. A lexile level of 690 while "The Peak" is at 760. However, this book does have complicated themes. Competition elevates how identity gets tied into what you do rather than who you are. I think this can be a difficult issue to understand for young adults because they often (and adults as well) judge or segment people by what they do not who they are. The line between the two can get pretty hazy for all of us. The book is a pretty intense mix of identity and competition. Competition that includes huge rewards and bigger disappointments. This brings out some characteristics that may need explaining or can be good discussion starters. There are rivalries, corporate interests, following dreams and following someone else's dream.This book does not require its readers to be climbers. It can used as a vehicle for any student who is involved in some type of competition. Although because the book is about climbing there are some safety aspects to deal with. The characters deal with some dangerous situations and hide information, to forward personal objectives, that creates a large potential for others getting hurt. This is another starter for students to learn that they do not exist in a vacuum and have to have regard/respect for the safety of others as well as their own.
      This book is part of series that will also enable a teacher to use it as a gateway to more reading or potentially non-fiction reading about Everest. Although "The Peak" is an even better book for this because it comments about the littering problem, the employment of Sherpas, and ownership. I did not put this book in my library but rest assured it will be added because it has value as an access point to future readers. Have a good one because that's a wrap.