Peak by Roland Smith

Peak is about to do something no 14 year old has ever done before - climb Mt. Everest! Yes, Peak is his name. He tells us that it could have been worse. His parents could have named him Abyss or Glacier. You see, his parents are mountain climbers which helps to understand why Peak is a natural-born mountain climber, too. Peak lives in New York City with his mother where he climbs tall buildings, which is against the law. He is arrested for scaling the Woolworth Building and taken to jail. Instead of sending him to the juvenile facility, the judge agrees to let Peak's father take him back to Nepal where he is a well-known mountain climber arranging expeditions to the top of Mt. Everest for his wealthy clients. Peak hasn't seen his father in many years but he agrees to the plan. He doesn't know that his father has another motive for wanting to have Peak live with him.

This book is a chilling (brrr) adventure. You will experience the danger, hard work, bitter cold weather, and the thrill of climbing Mt. Everest with Peak if you read Peak by Roland Smith. Read it now or wait until the cold month of January so you can listen to our Michigan winds howling outside the window and you see the snow blowing and swirling in the yard. Then you'll have a bit of an idea what it is like for all those people who try the ultimate adventure - climbing to the top of Mt. Everest!
Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Final Salute : A Story of Unfinished Lives by Jim Sheeler

Ask yourself - When would a final salute be given? Think a bit if you're not sure - a final salute. Here's a hint - The subtitle of this book tells us it is about unfinished lives. Do you think you know? This book is a tribute to the U.S. Marines who have the duty to notify families when a loved one has died in the line of duty. Can you imagine what that responsibility must be like? Can you imagine walking up to the front door of a home ready to deliver that kind of devastating news? You're dressed in your formal military uniform and as soon as a family member sees you approach the home, they know exactly why you are there. Final Salute : A Story of Unfinished Lives by Jim Sheeler is a very moving book. It follows Marine Major Steve Beck as he tells families the news of their loved ones death but also as he befriends each family and carries out his duty to assist them through a most difficult time in a most respectful way. These are all true stories about real families. You'll be proud to be an American after reading this book.
Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Glass Castle : A Memoir by Jeannette Walls.

She's riding in a New York City cab on her way to a high society event when she spots a homeless woman dumpster diving. Rather than turn her eyes the other way and ignore the sad scene before her, Jeannette Walls can't stop watching. She realizes that the woman in tattered clothing is her mother! She is not surprised. She has not seen her mother in some time but certainly does not want to face her now. Afterall, she's about to attend an event where no one knows her upbringing, her family story, her parents, or anything about her life before NYC. She quickly asks the driver to turn around and take her home again. This is how the book The Glass Castle : A Memoir by Jeannette Walls begins. Yet her childhood was very happy and the author is now a columnist for MSNBC. How did she lift herself from a life of poverty to become so successful? When finished reading this book you'll realize the strength that brothers and sisters share when together they face many life challenges. If you choose to read this book you'd better be ready to read all day. This book is a must read.

Simon & Schuster, the publisher, has a wonderful three minute video of Jeannette including footage with her mother.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm