By Jennifer A. Nielsen
New York: Scholastic, 2025. Fiction. 324 pages.
It's 1939 and 14-year-old Atlas Wade is about to accompany his father on their most dangerous expedition yet. In the years since his mother died, Atlas and his father, both British, have climbed many of the most famous peaks in the world, it's what they do to avoid talking about their grief. No one has yet reached the top of Mount Everest, but Atlas is hoping he will be part of the first party, but his hopes are dashed when his father insists he remain at Advanced Base Camp with a Sherpa named Chodak and Maddie, the daughter of another explorer. When an avalanche cuts off communication with the expedition team, Atlas decides to stage a rescue, bringing Maddie and Chodak, who is injured, along with him. Things go from bad to worse as they fight for survival and fear there may be Nazis with them on the mountain.
Jennifer A. Nielsen is an expert of blending historical fiction with gripping action and adventure, and this latest novel is no exception. As an adult reader, many elements of the plot feel a little far-fetched, but they are rendered so realistically that you almost don't want to care. The story moves fast and the stakes rise quickly, and both Maddie and Atlas have a lot to learn about themselves before they reach the conclusion. Local readers will be excited to know that this story starts with Atlas and his father on Kings Peak in Utah.
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