One Wrong Step

Summary

It's 1939, and a small group of brave explorers are hoping to be the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest. One of those men is 12-year-old Atlas's dad. The two of them have climbed many mountains before, so Atlas is hoping to convince him to let him climb, too.

     But there's a reason no one has made it to the top of Everest before. When you're climbing a mountain like Everest, one wrong step can mean a fall to the death. And the mountain is unpredictable. Snow, wind, underground rivers, or avalanches can appear at any moment, putting even the best climbers in grave danger.

     The expedition leaves Atlas and Maddie, the daughter of another climber, at the camp at the base of the mountain. But that doesn't mean they're safe from danger! As World War II begins in Europe, Atlas sees more and more hints that there may be Nazis on the mountain, too. When a disaster strikes the expedition, Atlas must decide whether to follow the rules or risk everything to help the people he cares about most.

Why I love this book

A major theme of the novel is the complexity of humans, which means our quick judgments about others are often wrong. Since the story is told from Atlas's perspective, readers hear his assumptions about the other people on the team, some of which turn out to be inaccurate. It doesn't claim that the bad guys are actually good, but rather that we should be slow to judge, because a first impression rarely does anyone justice.

     There were several other themes I loved, including when it's okay to break the rules and how to handle grief. Atlas also presents an excellent example of perseverance and toughness in the physical challenges he endures.

     I've read other books about climbing Mount Everest, but this was my favorite because of the historical setting, themes, and plot pacing. I recommend it both for adventurers and for those who prefer to adventure through the pages of a book.

Potential concerns

None.

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