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67 pages 2 hours read

Roland Smith

Peak

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2007

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Released in 2007, Roland Smith’s novel Peak is the story of a teenager—whose name is Peak—who has a lot of mountains to climb, both metaphorical and literal. When he is fourteen, Peak climbs a skyscraper in New York to place his tag on it: a spray-painted small, blue mountain. He is caught and arrested. As he waits for a hearing, another boy tries to emulate him by scaling a building and falls to his death. Peak’s estranged father Josh appears at the last moment with bail money and a plan to take him to Thailand. In Bangkok, Josh surprises Peak with an attempt to summit Mount Everest, aiming to make Peak the youngest climber to achieve this. As the climb unfolds, Peak’s feelings toward his father become complex, culminating in a decision to prioritize another climber's success over his own.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Peak by Roland Smith has garnered praise for its thrilling storytelling and well-developed characters, particularly the protagonist's resilience. Readers commend its realistic portrayal of climbing and captivating plot. Some criticisms include predictable plot elements and occasional lags in pacing. Overall, it remains a compelling read for young adventure enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Peak?

A reader who would enjoy Peak by Roland Smith is likely an adventure enthusiast, particularly one fascinated by climbing and survival stories. Fans of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and Touching the Void by Joe Simpson will appreciate the teenage protagonist's journey, the challenging environments, and the themes of perseverance and self-discovery.

RecommendedReading Age

10-14years

Lexile Level

760L