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One Wrong Step
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a brand-new, spine-tingling adventure about two kids and their fight for survival on the unforgiving trails of Mount Everest. Jennifer Nielsen's storytelling climbs to new heights in this epic about loss, letting go, and the most important lesson a climber can where the eye goes, a person follows.
For a climber, letting go means certain death. For Atlas, it means something even worse. But he'll have to learn how to let go and look up if he ever wants to see the top...
Twelve-year-old Atlas Wade has been trying to forget the memory of his mother by climbing mountains ever since she died when he was nine years old. When his father signs them up for an expedition group hoping to be the first to ever summit the unconquerable Mount Everest, Atlas can't wait for the chance to prove himself to his father, and maybe finally he can leave his mother behind him on the mountain.
But this time, Atlas is the one left behind, as well as a young American girl named Maddie and their sturdy yet injured Sherpa, Chodak. When news breaks out that war has returned to Europe, and that Nazis are attempting their own summit dangerously nearby, Atlas and Maddie plead with the expedition to come back down.
Their warnings come too late. Atlas looks up that same morning to see an avalanche and when they receive no word from the group, Maddie and Chodak join Atlas as he begins a dangerous journey up the mountain in the hopes of finding survivors.
Atlas, Maddie, and Chodak will have to rely not just on their own wits for survival, but on each other as well, especially as sickness, bad weather, and their fears of a Nazi spy watching them puts their mission -- and lives -- at risk in the brutal terrain. And Atlas will have to learn how to let go if he wants any chance of finding his father and fixing the rift between them caused by his mother's death, before it's too late.
Using one of the world's greatest -- and most infamous -- mountains as a backdrop, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen's storytelling climbs to new heights in this touching, thrilling epic about grief, letting go, and the bonds that keep us alive.
For a climber, letting go means certain death. For Atlas, it means something even worse. But he'll have to learn how to let go and look up if he ever wants to see the top...
Twelve-year-old Atlas Wade has been trying to forget the memory of his mother by climbing mountains ever since she died when he was nine years old. When his father signs them up for an expedition group hoping to be the first to ever summit the unconquerable Mount Everest, Atlas can't wait for the chance to prove himself to his father, and maybe finally he can leave his mother behind him on the mountain.
But this time, Atlas is the one left behind, as well as a young American girl named Maddie and their sturdy yet injured Sherpa, Chodak. When news breaks out that war has returned to Europe, and that Nazis are attempting their own summit dangerously nearby, Atlas and Maddie plead with the expedition to come back down.
Their warnings come too late. Atlas looks up that same morning to see an avalanche and when they receive no word from the group, Maddie and Chodak join Atlas as he begins a dangerous journey up the mountain in the hopes of finding survivors.
Atlas, Maddie, and Chodak will have to rely not just on their own wits for survival, but on each other as well, especially as sickness, bad weather, and their fears of a Nazi spy watching them puts their mission -- and lives -- at risk in the brutal terrain. And Atlas will have to learn how to let go if he wants any chance of finding his father and fixing the rift between them caused by his mother's death, before it's too late.
Using one of the world's greatest -- and most infamous -- mountains as a backdrop, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen's storytelling climbs to new heights in this touching, thrilling epic about grief, letting go, and the bonds that keep us alive.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2025
84 people are currently reading
877 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer A. Nielsen
48books9,115followersJennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
April 20, 2025
This heart-pounding read will have you gasping for oxygen as you climb Everest alongside Atlas and Maddie, learning the hard way that danger is just one step away.
I felt like I was climbing RIGHT NEXT to our main characters, Atlas and Maddie. I know very little about mountain climbing and don't aspire to climb Mt. Everest because I feel like I just climbed it through the pages of One Wrong Step.
This book was paces so well! I mean basically all they did for the majority of the book was climb a big rock. And yet, in great Jennifer Nielsen fashion, I was GLUED to the pages.
That being said, I didn't love the ending... I felt a little misled that but I did like that But I was mostly bummed that Atlas and Maddie I thought there was really good potential for their friendship and that's another note. I don't feel like their friendship was fleshed out as much as it could've been. I personally wanted to know more about Maddie and see their friendship bloom a little more.
The flashback at times annoyed me but they were also so well timed and release the perfect amount of information that added to the story.
I thought Atlas's character was AMAZING. His arc was so well done and you really felt right alongside him. I loved him.
Nielsen does it again with another fabulous book!!
Content: Not much... a good amount of talk about death, injuries, and sickness, while climbing since all of those are prevalent. Nothing gory, but some characters get frostbite, hypothermia, are hospitalized, etc. Atlas' mother died before the story starts and he has to emotionally work through that throughout the story. No romance.
� 4.5 Stars �
I felt like I was climbing RIGHT NEXT to our main characters, Atlas and Maddie. I know very little about mountain climbing and don't aspire to climb Mt. Everest because I feel like I just climbed it through the pages of One Wrong Step.
This book was paces so well! I mean basically all they did for the majority of the book was climb a big rock. And yet, in great Jennifer Nielsen fashion, I was GLUED to the pages.
That being said, I didn't love the ending... I felt a little misled that but I did like that But I was mostly bummed that Atlas and Maddie I thought there was really good potential for their friendship and that's another note. I don't feel like their friendship was fleshed out as much as it could've been. I personally wanted to know more about Maddie and see their friendship bloom a little more.
The flashback at times annoyed me but they were also so well timed and release the perfect amount of information that added to the story.
I thought Atlas's character was AMAZING. His arc was so well done and you really felt right alongside him. I loved him.
Nielsen does it again with another fabulous book!!
Content: Not much... a good amount of talk about death, injuries, and sickness, while climbing since all of those are prevalent. Nothing gory, but some characters get frostbite, hypothermia, are hospitalized, etc. Atlas' mother died before the story starts and he has to emotionally work through that throughout the story. No romance.
� 4.5 Stars �
March 20, 2025
"'Are we in danger?'
'We're on Everest.... Of course we're in danger.'"
✏️ Review ✏️
Of all the Jennifer A. Nielsen historical fiction books I've read, One Wrong Step comes across as the most unrealistic. But don't get me wrong; we wouldn't want to take a wrong step here! It's still an enjoyable story, but leans more towards the side of being unbelievable � how likely is it that two teens would be climbing Mount Everest alone right before World War II? Ok, yeah, it's fiction after all, so let's set that behind us (for the time being 😉) and summit our way to the end of this review. :�-�)
The writing style is typical Nielsen: streamlined and straightforward but descriptive enough to add enjoyable energies.
While they're not very deep or developed, the characters are still nicely presented during the story's progression. I did like how the MMC had a bit of a backstory that allowed for some internal conflicts and a bit of dynamic development. But on the other hand, the FMC is a flat and static character, so she's sorta just in the story as a convenient climbing companion for Atlas, the MMC.
The plot does require many suspensions of belief. The most notable being the fact that two teens (one with some experience, the other none) summit a large portion of Mount Everest by themselves. And mountain climbing requires a rigorous amount of endurance training � the FMC has had none and yet she's able to summit three-fourths of Everest just fine (besides some coughing and shortness of breath). Possible in the real world? Absolutely not. Possible in fiction? Yeah, I suppose.... The rest of the plot is average: somewhat predictable and a bit too fast paced to be realistic. There were events that took me by surprise and kept me flipping the pages, but nothing super unexpected.
What's saving One Wrong Step from being a two-star read for me are the themes Nielsen has weaved throughout the story. Navigating the road of grief, emphasizing the strengths found in connections and relationships with others, highlighting the importance of team work, and illustrating that it's okay to ask for help when you need it � all of these themes are aptly and metaphorically presented during the characters' mountain climb, adding an important dimension to the story.
While it isn't the most realistic read, One Wrong Step still delivers an enjoyable, educational, and meaningful story about summiting Mount Everest � and the figurative mountains that we encounter in our own lives.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
🏼 What I Liked:
� The themes � they are metaphorically and meaningfully weaved into the story.
� The MMC � he features internal and the most dynamic development of all the characters.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
� The unrealistic aspects of the plot � requires some suspension of belief.
� The FMC � she's a flat and static character.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
� To Read or Not To Read? �
� Would I recommend this book? Yes*
� To whom? To those who enjoy extreme adventures and who would like to learn various aspects of mountain climbing and some facts about Mount Everest while enjoying a good story. And if you don't mind fiction that leans more on the side of being unrealistic. Definitely suited better for middle grade readers (typically ages 8-12).
*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
� 📈 Plot: 2.5/5
� 📝 Writing: 3/5
� 👥 Characters: 2.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
� 🤬 Language: 0/5
� ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
� ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
� There is a one-page scene in which the MCs partake in a ceremony to receive permission to climb Mount Everest from the "Mountain Gods." The characters are described as eating a ceremonial cracker and sitting in a circle watching incense and wood being burned to these gods. Also, the monastery's monks are described as blessing the climbers' gear and chanting and praying to these gods.
� Maddie, the FMC, talks a few times about how her mother has premonitions. Because of a premonition she had in which Maddie was in danger at home, Maddie's mother has sent her to Mount Everest so that Maddie will avoid the disastrous results of that premonition.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
� "All those who serve others are heroes." (p. 318)
'We're on Everest.... Of course we're in danger.'"
✏️ Review ✏️
Of all the Jennifer A. Nielsen historical fiction books I've read, One Wrong Step comes across as the most unrealistic. But don't get me wrong; we wouldn't want to take a wrong step here! It's still an enjoyable story, but leans more towards the side of being unbelievable � how likely is it that two teens would be climbing Mount Everest alone right before World War II? Ok, yeah, it's fiction after all, so let's set that behind us (for the time being 😉) and summit our way to the end of this review. :�-�)
The writing style is typical Nielsen: streamlined and straightforward but descriptive enough to add enjoyable energies.
"'It may feel as though you're as high as you'll ever be, but we're only just beginning. Once [we reach camp], we'll still have nearly eight thousand vertical feet to the summit. Imagine climbing a building that is eighty stories tall.'
'A building where the staircase is constantly hit by blizzards and high winds, and drop-offs to sheer cliffs.'"
While they're not very deep or developed, the characters are still nicely presented during the story's progression. I did like how the MMC had a bit of a backstory that allowed for some internal conflicts and a bit of dynamic development. But on the other hand, the FMC is a flat and static character, so she's sorta just in the story as a convenient climbing companion for Atlas, the MMC.
The plot does require many suspensions of belief. The most notable being the fact that two teens (one with some experience, the other none) summit a large portion of Mount Everest by themselves. And mountain climbing requires a rigorous amount of endurance training � the FMC has had none and yet she's able to summit three-fourths of Everest just fine (besides some coughing and shortness of breath). Possible in the real world? Absolutely not. Possible in fiction? Yeah, I suppose.... The rest of the plot is average: somewhat predictable and a bit too fast paced to be realistic. There were events that took me by surprise and kept me flipping the pages, but nothing super unexpected.
What's saving One Wrong Step from being a two-star read for me are the themes Nielsen has weaved throughout the story. Navigating the road of grief, emphasizing the strengths found in connections and relationships with others, highlighting the importance of team work, and illustrating that it's okay to ask for help when you need it � all of these themes are aptly and metaphorically presented during the characters' mountain climb, adding an important dimension to the story.
While it isn't the most realistic read, One Wrong Step still delivers an enjoyable, educational, and meaningful story about summiting Mount Everest � and the figurative mountains that we encounter in our own lives.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
🏼 What I Liked:
� The themes � they are metaphorically and meaningfully weaved into the story.
� The MMC � he features internal and the most dynamic development of all the characters.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
� The unrealistic aspects of the plot � requires some suspension of belief.
� The FMC � she's a flat and static character.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
� To Read or Not To Read? �
� Would I recommend this book? Yes*
� To whom? To those who enjoy extreme adventures and who would like to learn various aspects of mountain climbing and some facts about Mount Everest while enjoying a good story. And if you don't mind fiction that leans more on the side of being unrealistic. Definitely suited better for middle grade readers (typically ages 8-12).
*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
� 📈 Plot: 2.5/5
� 📝 Writing: 3/5
� 👥 Characters: 2.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
� 🤬 Language: 0/5
� ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
� ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
� There is a one-page scene in which the MCs partake in a ceremony to receive permission to climb Mount Everest from the "Mountain Gods." The characters are described as eating a ceremonial cracker and sitting in a circle watching incense and wood being burned to these gods. Also, the monastery's monks are described as blessing the climbers' gear and chanting and praying to these gods.
� Maddie, the FMC, talks a few times about how her mother has premonitions. Because of a premonition she had in which Maddie was in danger at home, Maddie's mother has sent her to Mount Everest so that Maddie will avoid the disastrous results of that premonition.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
� "All those who serve others are heroes." (p. 318)
November 7, 2024
� 3.75 stars �
“My dad always says that where a person looks, their feet will follow.
As long as we keep our eyes on the summit, one day someone is certain to reach it.�
� � � � � � � � � � � � Still coming down from the high of Jennifer Nielsen's Ascendance series urged me to check out her upcoming middle-grade historical fiction release a part coming-of-age, part the daring adventure of rescue & personal growth of fourteen-year-old Atlas Wade atop Mount Everest. 🧗🗻
� � � � � � � � � � � � Exhilarating and adventurous, but also heartwarming and touching. It is the brave and daring journey of how Atlas has to brave his own fears of letting go of a past of regret and sadness in order for him to move on. It is an emotional climb, one which has him test his own endurance and his own willpower of scaling mountains that exist not only in his heart, but what he faces in the form of the highest peak of the world - the Goddess of the Earth - Mt. Everest where 'even a small mistake on Everest can be deadly.' 😨 And while it simply is an expedition of which his father regretfully refuses to include his son alongside him, the tide of the mountain is as unpredictable as it is treacherous - how One Wrong Step can be the deciding factor of life or death. For when his father and his team go missing after sending out a cry for help, it is up to him and Maddie Pierson, a young American girl whose father accompanied him on the trek, to find a way to save them. 😟
� � � � � � � � � � � � For in 1939, with the threat of World World II breaking the airwaves, it is not much to wonder if the slopes of the Himalayas would interest anyone to climb for prestige and honor, when war is on the rise. But, for some there is also the threat of a Nazi presence amidst the icy winds and frozen terrain that strikes a fear in all present. 😥 It is that deciding factor that either hinders or spurs them into quicker desperation to save the lives and even be distrustful of any unsuspecting person, before an unwitting threat strike - 'when everything in life blurs, survival becomes a matter of instinct.' It clings to Atlas and thwarts his sense and battles his nerves of wit and grit. For to Atlas, it is not only a mission to save the only living relative he has, but to also find a way to take a step forward - to unseal the heart that he has frozen off to life and time after his mother's death - to find it within himself to be brave to take a risk to trust himself and move forward without regret and find an inner peace within himself. 😟
�You are looking in the wrong direction.�
� � � � � � � � � � � � His grief and heartache over his mother's death was visceral and in a way, his driving force to succeed. To truly climb the impossible - surpass the limits of his own expectations. because he was avoiding not only letting go of that guilt and sadness, but finding it himself to forgive his father for feelings left unspoken. It is that delicate balance of emotional strength and his own physical skills of scaling the mountains and risking life and limb that makes Atlas a relatable character who fights his way to triumph over the challenges he faces. 'I have to see this through, no matter what.' 😥 He and Maddie also made an interesting duo, but one that built a relationship of trust and well, not really friends - but two souls who had to work to survive and save the ones they loved. Even though she shouldered her own burdens, Maddie was levelheaded and honest; she was the outsider perspective Atlas needed for him to better understand whatever demons were still holding onto him and help him let go of that pain and shame. ❤️🩹❤️�
�How beautiful it was, but how cruel, to beckon climbers to its trails over and over again, teasing them with hope, then trading it for disappointment, or even tragedy.�
� � � � � � � � � � � � The writing did a great job in capturing the daunting feel of Everest; there is nothing more majestic than seeing a mountain with its steep slopes that mindfully taunts - You’ve come close enough. Any step farther is at your own risk.' ⛰️ And Nielsen does not shy away in showing how treacherous it is - how any misstep or miscalculation can be everything - how you have to stay quick on your feet - be mindful of your health - be respectful of your team - don't be afraid to ask for help for up here - 'the greatest danger is not a Nazi. It’s you pretending you know what you are doing.' 🥺 Time is off the essence and the hurdles they faced on their trek were captured in a gripping and enthralling manner that also happily fit the age gap it was targeted for. My heart hurt also learning about George Mallory, a tragedy that even now sparks speculation and intrigue - one that once again reminds us how helpless we are at the powers and forces not in our control. 😞
� � � � � � � � � � � � A few notes of complaint that made it less of a stellar read was the transitions of past events interspersed in between that affected the flow of the narrative. I do get the necessity of it, I just wish it could have been approached differently. The Nazi subplot - I think it was a creative and unique approach, a bit hard to believe at times and it did detract from the seriousness of their plight at times; but given the time period, it kinda works. If not for its inclusion, it really would have simply been an adventure story - give or take. 🤔 The ending also lacked a bit of an epilogue, which I think would have tied it a little together - just a bit better.
� � � � � � � � � � � � Of course, one will argue that Atlas and Maddie did treat certain life-threatening moments with a certain levity that definitely would not pass at that moment in real life. But, as Chodak wisely reasoned - 'Sometimes, when things are at their worst, it must be okay to smile. It helps us to survive.' If even the simple courage of making light of the moment of despair gave either of them strength, then who am I to argue. 🫂 But, I did feel it was a bit unfair that Maddie seemed to be made of stronger grit than Atlas - sorta like an American to English dynamic, which is an absurd thing to point out, but yeah, I didn't like it. But, given how fixated Atlas was, I guess, he had to break off that part that was holding him down, in order for him to rise up again. So, bygones. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
� � � � � � � � � � � � I may have stumbled along the way, doubted a few steps in which the story turn, took a leap of faith for certain characters, and eventually came out on top believing that both Atlas and I would survive. Okay, that was a lame mountain pun! 😭 But, yes, this was an enjoyable read with a few bumps, but still definitely worth the read. It leaves you feeling inspired to scale your own mountain; that no matter if life seems like it's too much - just don't let go. One step forward and you'll find your way to the top. 🙏🏻
And if after I read this I went and listened to Miley Cyrus' 'Climb', then nobody's the wiser. 😊
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“My dad always says that where a person looks, their feet will follow.
As long as we keep our eyes on the summit, one day someone is certain to reach it.�
� � � � � � � � � � � � Still coming down from the high of Jennifer Nielsen's Ascendance series urged me to check out her upcoming middle-grade historical fiction release a part coming-of-age, part the daring adventure of rescue & personal growth of fourteen-year-old Atlas Wade atop Mount Everest. 🧗🗻
� � � � � � � � � � � � Exhilarating and adventurous, but also heartwarming and touching. It is the brave and daring journey of how Atlas has to brave his own fears of letting go of a past of regret and sadness in order for him to move on. It is an emotional climb, one which has him test his own endurance and his own willpower of scaling mountains that exist not only in his heart, but what he faces in the form of the highest peak of the world - the Goddess of the Earth - Mt. Everest where 'even a small mistake on Everest can be deadly.' 😨 And while it simply is an expedition of which his father regretfully refuses to include his son alongside him, the tide of the mountain is as unpredictable as it is treacherous - how One Wrong Step can be the deciding factor of life or death. For when his father and his team go missing after sending out a cry for help, it is up to him and Maddie Pierson, a young American girl whose father accompanied him on the trek, to find a way to save them. 😟
� � � � � � � � � � � � For in 1939, with the threat of World World II breaking the airwaves, it is not much to wonder if the slopes of the Himalayas would interest anyone to climb for prestige and honor, when war is on the rise. But, for some there is also the threat of a Nazi presence amidst the icy winds and frozen terrain that strikes a fear in all present. 😥 It is that deciding factor that either hinders or spurs them into quicker desperation to save the lives and even be distrustful of any unsuspecting person, before an unwitting threat strike - 'when everything in life blurs, survival becomes a matter of instinct.' It clings to Atlas and thwarts his sense and battles his nerves of wit and grit. For to Atlas, it is not only a mission to save the only living relative he has, but to also find a way to take a step forward - to unseal the heart that he has frozen off to life and time after his mother's death - to find it within himself to be brave to take a risk to trust himself and move forward without regret and find an inner peace within himself. 😟
�You are looking in the wrong direction.�
� � � � � � � � � � � � His grief and heartache over his mother's death was visceral and in a way, his driving force to succeed. To truly climb the impossible - surpass the limits of his own expectations. because he was avoiding not only letting go of that guilt and sadness, but finding it himself to forgive his father for feelings left unspoken. It is that delicate balance of emotional strength and his own physical skills of scaling the mountains and risking life and limb that makes Atlas a relatable character who fights his way to triumph over the challenges he faces. 'I have to see this through, no matter what.' 😥 He and Maddie also made an interesting duo, but one that built a relationship of trust and well, not really friends - but two souls who had to work to survive and save the ones they loved. Even though she shouldered her own burdens, Maddie was levelheaded and honest; she was the outsider perspective Atlas needed for him to better understand whatever demons were still holding onto him and help him let go of that pain and shame. ❤️🩹❤️�
�How beautiful it was, but how cruel, to beckon climbers to its trails over and over again, teasing them with hope, then trading it for disappointment, or even tragedy.�
� � � � � � � � � � � � The writing did a great job in capturing the daunting feel of Everest; there is nothing more majestic than seeing a mountain with its steep slopes that mindfully taunts - You’ve come close enough. Any step farther is at your own risk.' ⛰️ And Nielsen does not shy away in showing how treacherous it is - how any misstep or miscalculation can be everything - how you have to stay quick on your feet - be mindful of your health - be respectful of your team - don't be afraid to ask for help for up here - 'the greatest danger is not a Nazi. It’s you pretending you know what you are doing.' 🥺 Time is off the essence and the hurdles they faced on their trek were captured in a gripping and enthralling manner that also happily fit the age gap it was targeted for. My heart hurt also learning about George Mallory, a tragedy that even now sparks speculation and intrigue - one that once again reminds us how helpless we are at the powers and forces not in our control. 😞
� � � � � � � � � � � � A few notes of complaint that made it less of a stellar read was the transitions of past events interspersed in between that affected the flow of the narrative. I do get the necessity of it, I just wish it could have been approached differently. The Nazi subplot - I think it was a creative and unique approach, a bit hard to believe at times and it did detract from the seriousness of their plight at times; but given the time period, it kinda works. If not for its inclusion, it really would have simply been an adventure story - give or take. 🤔 The ending also lacked a bit of an epilogue, which I think would have tied it a little together - just a bit better.
� � � � � � � � � � � � Of course, one will argue that Atlas and Maddie did treat certain life-threatening moments with a certain levity that definitely would not pass at that moment in real life. But, as Chodak wisely reasoned - 'Sometimes, when things are at their worst, it must be okay to smile. It helps us to survive.' If even the simple courage of making light of the moment of despair gave either of them strength, then who am I to argue. 🫂 But, I did feel it was a bit unfair that Maddie seemed to be made of stronger grit than Atlas - sorta like an American to English dynamic, which is an absurd thing to point out, but yeah, I didn't like it. But, given how fixated Atlas was, I guess, he had to break off that part that was holding him down, in order for him to rise up again. So, bygones. 🤜🏻🤛🏻
� � � � � � � � � � � � I may have stumbled along the way, doubted a few steps in which the story turn, took a leap of faith for certain characters, and eventually came out on top believing that both Atlas and I would survive. Okay, that was a lame mountain pun! 😭 But, yes, this was an enjoyable read with a few bumps, but still definitely worth the read. It leaves you feeling inspired to scale your own mountain; that no matter if life seems like it's too much - just don't let go. One step forward and you'll find your way to the top. 🙏🏻
And if after I read this I went and listened to Miley Cyrus' 'Climb', then nobody's the wiser. 😊
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2025
Out of all of Nielsen's books, this is the most "meh" for me.
The idea was there, but I don't think Nielsen was the one to execute it. Maybe someone like Gary Paulsen could have made a neat survival/adventure story out of it...but Jennifer is a historical fiction/fantasy writer through and through. :) The historical part of it felt like an afterthought. I didn't think that the WWII setting really fit with the story. For one thing, how many kids were named Atlas in the 1930s? Also, the writing style and themes felt distinctly contemporary, which only added to the off-balance feeling. Finally, it felt a little unrealistic that two pretty inexperienced teens could summit more than three-fourths of Everest on their own when not even experienced climbers had reached the top.
There were also some weird moments with the monks where they are praying to/having ceremonies for their mountain gods.
As far as what I liked...I enjoyed learning a little about Mount Everest and climbing. Also, the maps that show Atlas' progress are nice. :)
Overall, this book would probably be ok for a younger middle-grade reader who just wants adventure and doesn't care too much about character development, believability, etc.
The idea was there, but I don't think Nielsen was the one to execute it. Maybe someone like Gary Paulsen could have made a neat survival/adventure story out of it...but Jennifer is a historical fiction/fantasy writer through and through. :) The historical part of it felt like an afterthought. I didn't think that the WWII setting really fit with the story. For one thing, how many kids were named Atlas in the 1930s? Also, the writing style and themes felt distinctly contemporary, which only added to the off-balance feeling. Finally, it felt a little unrealistic that two pretty inexperienced teens could summit more than three-fourths of Everest on their own when not even experienced climbers had reached the top.
There were also some weird moments with the monks where they are praying to/having ceremonies for their mountain gods.
As far as what I liked...I enjoyed learning a little about Mount Everest and climbing. Also, the maps that show Atlas' progress are nice. :)
Overall, this book would probably be ok for a younger middle-grade reader who just wants adventure and doesn't care too much about character development, believability, etc.
April 1, 2025
First of all, thank you to @netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, high stakes book about two young teens climbing Mount Everest, this is the perfect book for you or the young readers in your life.
I enjoyed this book. It was gripping and raw just like Jennifer A. Nielsen’s other stories. Although there is less of a focus on historical World War II, Nielsen keeps the story gripping with the life and death moments shared by the two main characters, Atlas and Maddie. The book felt a little slow at times but Nielsen certainly uses plot twists to keep the reader hooked.
The friendship between Maddie and Atlas was touching! I loved how they grew to like each other and due to circumstances, they had to fully depend on their friendship to stay alive. It was remarkable really!
Next, I loved Atlas� personal triumphs. At the risk of sharing spoilers, I can’t say much more, but I related to Atlas greatly and he inspired me to climb my own hurdles and mountains. The end of the story was extremely touching and even bittersweet. The ending suited the book well.
All in all, this book is perfect for young readers who like climbing, have an interest in Mount Everest, or just want an action-packed book. I’d highly suggest this to homeschool parents who want to integrate history into their children’s literature curriculum!
Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl
CW: mentions of premonitions, references to Buddhist religion, death, life and death stakes, grief
I enjoyed this book. It was gripping and raw just like Jennifer A. Nielsen’s other stories. Although there is less of a focus on historical World War II, Nielsen keeps the story gripping with the life and death moments shared by the two main characters, Atlas and Maddie. The book felt a little slow at times but Nielsen certainly uses plot twists to keep the reader hooked.
The friendship between Maddie and Atlas was touching! I loved how they grew to like each other and due to circumstances, they had to fully depend on their friendship to stay alive. It was remarkable really!
Next, I loved Atlas� personal triumphs. At the risk of sharing spoilers, I can’t say much more, but I related to Atlas greatly and he inspired me to climb my own hurdles and mountains. The end of the story was extremely touching and even bittersweet. The ending suited the book well.
All in all, this book is perfect for young readers who like climbing, have an interest in Mount Everest, or just want an action-packed book. I’d highly suggest this to homeschool parents who want to integrate history into their children’s literature curriculum!
Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl
CW: mentions of premonitions, references to Buddhist religion, death, life and death stakes, grief
April 2, 2025
This book was really good!!! I loved reading Jennifer A. Nielsen’s books when i was younger so when i found out that she wrote a new one I just had to read it! She will forever be one of my favorite childhood authors! I remember she once did a zoom call with my class talking about her books! Anyways, I really enjoyed reading this book! It really kept me on my toes hoping that whatever would happen next would be good!
April 5, 2025
It has been a while since I've read or listened to a book written by Jennifer. So, I was really excited to jump into One Wrong Step.
In this, you will meet Atlas and Maddie. Together, they are climbing Mount Everest. Well, not by themselves. They are with an expedition group... because why not? Well, at one point, they are both left behind with an injured Sherpa. If it sounds random as hell, it is.
The cherry on top of this little situation? Oh, well, war has returned to Europe. So, hello WWII. While trying to figure out how to survive and find a way back alive, they also have to outmaneuver the Nazis. Again, two teenagers and an injured adult have to do this.
Now these three go through so much. Avalanches, sickness, and constantly looking over your shoulders for the bad guys. We were all tired from the adventure. Them for actually living through it and me reading what they went through. Trauma bonding at its finest.
As for the characters, they were okay. I honestly don't think I had a favorite. They were interesting though. Mostly because some things just felt a bit ridiculous or off to me. Since I've never been on a mountain or an adventure like this, I will just accept what happened.
In the end, it was an easy book to listen to, and I ended up liking it.
In this, you will meet Atlas and Maddie. Together, they are climbing Mount Everest. Well, not by themselves. They are with an expedition group... because why not? Well, at one point, they are both left behind with an injured Sherpa. If it sounds random as hell, it is.
The cherry on top of this little situation? Oh, well, war has returned to Europe. So, hello WWII. While trying to figure out how to survive and find a way back alive, they also have to outmaneuver the Nazis. Again, two teenagers and an injured adult have to do this.
Now these three go through so much. Avalanches, sickness, and constantly looking over your shoulders for the bad guys. We were all tired from the adventure. Them for actually living through it and me reading what they went through. Trauma bonding at its finest.
As for the characters, they were okay. I honestly don't think I had a favorite. They were interesting though. Mostly because some things just felt a bit ridiculous or off to me. Since I've never been on a mountain or an adventure like this, I will just accept what happened.
In the end, it was an easy book to listen to, and I ended up liking it.
April 11, 2025
*4.5 stars*
November 25, 2024
Requires major suspension of disbelief, more so than her usual historical fiction middle grade thrillers. And the whole Nazi subplot felt unnecessary.
March 19, 2025
"One day you'll climb it, Atlas, and when you do, you'll surprise us all. I think you know as much about Everest as anyone else in our party."
One Wrong Step by Jennifer A Nielsen
This was another fantastic middle grade historical fiction from this author. I enjoyed howithas athrilling plot, scenes thatkept me on the edge of my seat, and a history thatI had not really known about: the fact that countries raced against others to the top of Mt. Everest, and this included the possibility there were Nazis trying to reach the top as well.
The author keeps this middle grade appropriate while also laying bare the perils of climbing Mt. Everest.
I loved the camaraderiebetween Atlas and Maddie and how they work together to help rescue their fathers.
Favorite Parts: Historical Fiction, camaraderiebetween the teens, thrilling plot, rescue, Mt. Everest
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: no romance
Violence/gore: dire peril, injury, frostbite, talk of war and Nazis and Hitler
Substance Use: none
Prejudices: Mild-Comments are made against various cultures/countries
Religious Content: discussion and mention of afterlife
Other: Mild-grief, loss of parent (past)
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts are my own. I listened to the audio on Libby.
What to Expect: One Wrong Step is a middle grade historical fiction with a thrilling plot, a climb up Mt. Everest, and a daring rescue. Appropriate for ages: 9+
Book Info:
Series: standalone
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Romance Level: none
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Scholastic
POV: single
Where to read it: Libby, Library, all major retailers
One Wrong Step by Jennifer A Nielsen
This was another fantastic middle grade historical fiction from this author. I enjoyed howithas athrilling plot, scenes thatkept me on the edge of my seat, and a history thatI had not really known about: the fact that countries raced against others to the top of Mt. Everest, and this included the possibility there were Nazis trying to reach the top as well.
The author keeps this middle grade appropriate while also laying bare the perils of climbing Mt. Everest.
I loved the camaraderiebetween Atlas and Maddie and how they work together to help rescue their fathers.
Favorite Parts: Historical Fiction, camaraderiebetween the teens, thrilling plot, rescue, Mt. Everest
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: no romance
Violence/gore: dire peril, injury, frostbite, talk of war and Nazis and Hitler
Substance Use: none
Prejudices: Mild-Comments are made against various cultures/countries
Religious Content: discussion and mention of afterlife
Other: Mild-grief, loss of parent (past)
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts are my own. I listened to the audio on Libby.
What to Expect: One Wrong Step is a middle grade historical fiction with a thrilling plot, a climb up Mt. Everest, and a daring rescue. Appropriate for ages: 9+
Book Info:
Series: standalone
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Romance Level: none
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Scholastic
POV: single
Where to read it: Libby, Library, all major retailers
March 19, 2025
Where your eyes go, your feet will follow.
Another great historical fiction from one of my favorite authors!
Content warnings:
Violence: Minor bloody injuries. Characters get altitude sickness and frostbite. Characters are trapped under avalanches.
Swearing: None.
Romance: Mentions of married couples.
LGBT: None!
11+
I will say, this did start off kind of slow. There wasn't much action towards the beginning. However, after I passed the midway point, things started to pick up and get much more exciting.
I absolutely LOVED Atlas' character development and his full-circle arc. He was a very well thought out character and it shows.
Another great thing about this novel was how it showed different people dealing with grief. We know from the beginning that Atlas lost his mother years ago, but him and his father go through their grief in opposing ways, but they develop and mature as the story goes on.
I love historical fiction because of the facts I learn along with the story. I have now been educated on climbing, altitude sickness, and random facts about Mount Everest. It was worth it :)
Another great historical fiction from one of my favorite authors!
Content warnings:
Violence: Minor bloody injuries. Characters get altitude sickness and frostbite. Characters are trapped under avalanches.
Swearing: None.
Romance: Mentions of married couples.
LGBT: None!
11+
I will say, this did start off kind of slow. There wasn't much action towards the beginning. However, after I passed the midway point, things started to pick up and get much more exciting.
I absolutely LOVED Atlas' character development and his full-circle arc. He was a very well thought out character and it shows.
Another great thing about this novel was how it showed different people dealing with grief. We know from the beginning that Atlas lost his mother years ago, but him and his father go through their grief in opposing ways, but they develop and mature as the story goes on.
I love historical fiction because of the facts I learn along with the story. I have now been educated on climbing, altitude sickness, and random facts about Mount Everest. It was worth it :)
April 21, 2025
I did a mix of physical and audio listening for this book.
This is the newest release by one of my favorite middle grade authors!
One Wrong Step follows a 12 year old boy who loves to climb mountains with his father while also trying to outclimb the grief of losing his mother. They join a group attempting to be the first to summit Mount Everest right as WWII is beginning and face unexpected complications.
I remember watching Into Thin Air (about the disasters of an Everest climb in the 90s) years ago and the concepts and feelings came flooding back to me as I read this story. It was really interesting to see similar setups but in an earlier time period and through the eyes of a younger protagonist. There’s an intensity from the edge of danger hanging over everything but also great moments of introspection and personal development. I marked several lines that left an impact on me. As I was reading I was thinking about the literal mountains I have climbed in my life as well as the metaphorical ones and the ways the life lessons can be applied to both.
I also loved the design layout for this book with chapter headings sharing what elevation they were at and a map of where on Everest the characters were at that time. It was really helpful in visualizing the progress.
Trigger/content notes: grief, life threatening situations from the climb.
This is the newest release by one of my favorite middle grade authors!
One Wrong Step follows a 12 year old boy who loves to climb mountains with his father while also trying to outclimb the grief of losing his mother. They join a group attempting to be the first to summit Mount Everest right as WWII is beginning and face unexpected complications.
I remember watching Into Thin Air (about the disasters of an Everest climb in the 90s) years ago and the concepts and feelings came flooding back to me as I read this story. It was really interesting to see similar setups but in an earlier time period and through the eyes of a younger protagonist. There’s an intensity from the edge of danger hanging over everything but also great moments of introspection and personal development. I marked several lines that left an impact on me. As I was reading I was thinking about the literal mountains I have climbed in my life as well as the metaphorical ones and the ways the life lessons can be applied to both.
I also loved the design layout for this book with chapter headings sharing what elevation they were at and a map of where on Everest the characters were at that time. It was really helpful in visualizing the progress.
Trigger/content notes: grief, life threatening situations from the climb.
March 13, 2025
Friends, I just finished this new release from Jennifer A. Nielsen and I can’t say enough good things about it. Though the premise seemed a little far-fetched to me at first (two teenagers climbing Mount Everest in 1939 at the outbreak of WWII), it was a wonderful story with so many important lessons. I found that it matched up so well with Nielsen’s “Once Upon A Climb� which is one of my favorite motivational books and one I have at the ready when my writing journey gets tough.
The book is geared toward 9-12 year olds but I think older teenagers and adults will enjoy it as well. I handed it straight to my 13-year-old when I finished, and I’ve already started begging the local elementary to get this book into their classrooms.
This book had action, adventure, and high stakes. It pulled me in and kept me invested the whole time. It gives a message of not losing hope and learning from our mistakes. In the end, one wrong step might be all it takes to fail, but taking many right steps will lead us exactly where we need to be.
“My eyes were open now, and from now on, I planned to look forward and to look upward. Where the eyes went, my feet would follow.�
The book is geared toward 9-12 year olds but I think older teenagers and adults will enjoy it as well. I handed it straight to my 13-year-old when I finished, and I’ve already started begging the local elementary to get this book into their classrooms.
This book had action, adventure, and high stakes. It pulled me in and kept me invested the whole time. It gives a message of not losing hope and learning from our mistakes. In the end, one wrong step might be all it takes to fail, but taking many right steps will lead us exactly where we need to be.
“My eyes were open now, and from now on, I planned to look forward and to look upward. Where the eyes went, my feet would follow.�
February 22, 2025
Like the peaks of Mt. Everest, young Atlas scales his own peaks as he learns how to navigate life without his mom & how to come to terms with who he is, his relationship with his dad & a new way to look and live life. I enjoyed the adventure of the climb & the history of previous expeditions.
April 18, 2025
I like Nielsen’s historical fictions, but this one felt a little too unrealistic for me. I really appreciated the author’s note at the end though. For me, that really is the message of the book.
As an aside, I never want to hike Everest. I wanted a warm blanket and hot cocoa the entire time I was reading this!
As an aside, I never want to hike Everest. I wanted a warm blanket and hot cocoa the entire time I was reading this!
March 24, 2025
I love Jennifer Nielsen. She takes us on a great adventure while climbing Mt Everest. She is such a master writer! Her books always make me want to be a better person.
March 21, 2025
I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this novel from NetGalley. I am so glad I had the chance to read it before the official publish date!
Let me begin by saying I love the author, Jennifer A. Nielsen. I have read many of her other works and love them! She's one of my top children's authors. Surprisingly though, I believe this is my first historical fiction read of hers. I've read some from her fantasy series and also a dystopian title (The Scourge), but not historical yet. I've watched many documentaries and movies on Mt. Everest, so I was excited to try this one!
I have to be totally, 100% honest - the first half of the book was difficult for me to get through. Overall, her formatting and pacing of the story is good and appropriate, but I was having difficulty getting into it, if you know what I mean. But hang in there, reader, the halfway point on is very exciting!
So our story follows Atlas, a young male climber who is still suffering from his mother's death. He climbs in hope that he will find peace somehow, but it never seems to work. Instead, he struggles to make the right decisions at critical times, leading his father to believe he isn't ready to make it to the top of Mt. Everest.
The two of them join a team, which includes Maddie from Texas and her father. You can tell that Maddie and Atlas will become friends, but they also become a rescue team. Both of their fathers leave to make it to the summit, when disaster strikes. They could be alive or dead, no one knows, but Maddie and Atlas won't give up on trying to save them. But this is all happening as news of a war is coming. What they don't know is that War World II is about to impact all of them - IF they make it back down the mountain alive.
This book was quite educational on what it takes to climb Mt. Everest. As I said, I've seen many documentaries and this was accurate to first account stories I've seen. The author does state at the end that she is not implying that people so young as Atlas and Maddie could have made this climb in 1939, but she wanted to use it as a story of encouragement. This is fiction, after all, so I am fine with stretching my imagination a bit. I also believe however, it could be possible, when someone is that motivated with sheer will power. I've seen stories of survivors on Everest who never should have made it back down, but they did it because they knew they had to get back to their families. That is what Atlas's story reminded me of, so I believe it is a great homage to those who have made the journey in real life.
There is a subplot involving WWII, and the potential threat of Nazi's on the mountain. I couldn't really tell where it was going at first, but I see what the author was doing by the end. It adds just enough mystery to scare Atlas and Maddie even more, while also giving us some lesser known history about the time, so I found it interesting.
I will say, this book does include some spiritual elements that reflect the real life of the Sherpas and monks who live there and climb Mt. Everest. I don't believe the author is trying to push a certain religion on anyone, but she kept it accurate yet again to what I've seen in documentaries. The monks who live there requite everyone to be part of a ceremony before they climb the mountain, and that is true in real life too. Maddie's character also talks about her mother having "premonitions", though it would seem in the book that may not be entirely accurate. A monk also tells Atlas something that is mysterious in nature, and Atlas isn't sure if he is predicting his future or not. By the end of the story, it seems more so that the monk was offering him some deep advice that goes over Atlas's head to begin with. Just be aware of that if you are a parent or teacher passing this on to a student. Some will prefer to skip over those parts, or maybe not read it altogether, but the author is accurate to the location and people who live there.
The last half of the book is the most exciting. I was flying through it! It is so action packed and frightening, you just have to find out what happens and you can't put it down. I also enjoyed Atlas and Maddie's character growth. They make some very mature decisions, and I enjoyed seeing them learn. Overall, I do recommend! Especially for those who love learning more about Mr. Everest, or history in general.
Let me begin by saying I love the author, Jennifer A. Nielsen. I have read many of her other works and love them! She's one of my top children's authors. Surprisingly though, I believe this is my first historical fiction read of hers. I've read some from her fantasy series and also a dystopian title (The Scourge), but not historical yet. I've watched many documentaries and movies on Mt. Everest, so I was excited to try this one!
I have to be totally, 100% honest - the first half of the book was difficult for me to get through. Overall, her formatting and pacing of the story is good and appropriate, but I was having difficulty getting into it, if you know what I mean. But hang in there, reader, the halfway point on is very exciting!
So our story follows Atlas, a young male climber who is still suffering from his mother's death. He climbs in hope that he will find peace somehow, but it never seems to work. Instead, he struggles to make the right decisions at critical times, leading his father to believe he isn't ready to make it to the top of Mt. Everest.
The two of them join a team, which includes Maddie from Texas and her father. You can tell that Maddie and Atlas will become friends, but they also become a rescue team. Both of their fathers leave to make it to the summit, when disaster strikes. They could be alive or dead, no one knows, but Maddie and Atlas won't give up on trying to save them. But this is all happening as news of a war is coming. What they don't know is that War World II is about to impact all of them - IF they make it back down the mountain alive.
This book was quite educational on what it takes to climb Mt. Everest. As I said, I've seen many documentaries and this was accurate to first account stories I've seen. The author does state at the end that she is not implying that people so young as Atlas and Maddie could have made this climb in 1939, but she wanted to use it as a story of encouragement. This is fiction, after all, so I am fine with stretching my imagination a bit. I also believe however, it could be possible, when someone is that motivated with sheer will power. I've seen stories of survivors on Everest who never should have made it back down, but they did it because they knew they had to get back to their families. That is what Atlas's story reminded me of, so I believe it is a great homage to those who have made the journey in real life.
There is a subplot involving WWII, and the potential threat of Nazi's on the mountain. I couldn't really tell where it was going at first, but I see what the author was doing by the end. It adds just enough mystery to scare Atlas and Maddie even more, while also giving us some lesser known history about the time, so I found it interesting.
I will say, this book does include some spiritual elements that reflect the real life of the Sherpas and monks who live there and climb Mt. Everest. I don't believe the author is trying to push a certain religion on anyone, but she kept it accurate yet again to what I've seen in documentaries. The monks who live there requite everyone to be part of a ceremony before they climb the mountain, and that is true in real life too. Maddie's character also talks about her mother having "premonitions", though it would seem in the book that may not be entirely accurate. A monk also tells Atlas something that is mysterious in nature, and Atlas isn't sure if he is predicting his future or not. By the end of the story, it seems more so that the monk was offering him some deep advice that goes over Atlas's head to begin with. Just be aware of that if you are a parent or teacher passing this on to a student. Some will prefer to skip over those parts, or maybe not read it altogether, but the author is accurate to the location and people who live there.
The last half of the book is the most exciting. I was flying through it! It is so action packed and frightening, you just have to find out what happens and you can't put it down. I also enjoyed Atlas and Maddie's character growth. They make some very mature decisions, and I enjoyed seeing them learn. Overall, I do recommend! Especially for those who love learning more about Mr. Everest, or history in general.
October 24, 2024
What worked:
Each chapter begins with a few lines sharing facts relevant to the following events. Mountain climbing is a major part of the story and readers will learn much about it. The first chapter shares information about Atlas’s first mountain climb to the summit of Kings Peak in 1936. It’s also the time when his mother loses her battle with a chronic disease. A map to the summit of Mt. Everest precedes the second chapter with information about the sherpas who assist climbers. Other chapter introductions explain terms like acclimation, climbers adjusting to the lack of oxygen, columns of ice called seracs, and various tools used during a climb. These descriptions are helpful to understand the nuances of scaling Earth’s tallest mountain. Additional maps throughout the book identify Atlas’s location on Mt. Everest to give readers context for the dramatic events. They’ll discover it takes months, a lot of money, courage, and a bit of luck to attempt a climb up Mt. Everest.
The story is told in first-person by Atlas, a teenage boy from London. This allows readers to learn about his feelings and unspoken thoughts about mountain climbing and special memories. Dealing with grief is an issue since Atlas hasn’t had a serious talk about his mother’s death in the three years since it happened. He’s frustrated that his father won’t let him climb to Mt. Everest’s summit but that doesn’t stop Atlas from trying to change his mind. An avalanche will find Atlas climbing farther than his father expected. Telling the story first-person also lets readers in on Atlas’s climbing knowledge and strategies as well as his conflicted thoughts about his mother.
The climbing team presents a variety of personalities to enhance the plot and drama. Mr. Blake is financing most of the expedition but his superior air creates conflict and mystery. He loves to hear himself talk, mostly about himself, and he frequently shares disparaging remarks about Atlas’s age and skill. Hushed comments between Blake and another team member create uncertainty about Blake’s character and his motives. Chodak is the main sherpa guide and his kind personality is a stark contrast to Blake. He’s the group’s biggest asset but an accident complicates his role. Maddie is about Atlas’s age and Atlas initially doesn’t like her presence on the mountain. She has very little climbing experience and one of her phobias may make her a liability. What kind of father makes Mt. Everest his daughter’s first mountain-climbing event?
What didn’t work as well:
The Nazi subplot slowly emerges but it’s not a necessary complication to the mountain-climbing adventure. The avalanche and Atlas’s subsequent efforts and setbacks to rescue his father provide plenty of drama for one book. Reader attention is distracted from this gripping problem as the topic of a Nazi spy continues. Mentioning the possibility of Nazis on Mt. Everest adds historical context to the plot but it would be better to leave it at that.
The final verdict:
The author captures the life-threatening perils and the harrowing weather conditions found on Mt. Everest to help readers experience the torturous quest to reach the summit. Atlas struggles to deal with his grief over his mother’s death and this subplot may resonate with readers. Overall, this riveting survival story will appeal to a wide audience and I recommend you give it a shot.
Each chapter begins with a few lines sharing facts relevant to the following events. Mountain climbing is a major part of the story and readers will learn much about it. The first chapter shares information about Atlas’s first mountain climb to the summit of Kings Peak in 1936. It’s also the time when his mother loses her battle with a chronic disease. A map to the summit of Mt. Everest precedes the second chapter with information about the sherpas who assist climbers. Other chapter introductions explain terms like acclimation, climbers adjusting to the lack of oxygen, columns of ice called seracs, and various tools used during a climb. These descriptions are helpful to understand the nuances of scaling Earth’s tallest mountain. Additional maps throughout the book identify Atlas’s location on Mt. Everest to give readers context for the dramatic events. They’ll discover it takes months, a lot of money, courage, and a bit of luck to attempt a climb up Mt. Everest.
The story is told in first-person by Atlas, a teenage boy from London. This allows readers to learn about his feelings and unspoken thoughts about mountain climbing and special memories. Dealing with grief is an issue since Atlas hasn’t had a serious talk about his mother’s death in the three years since it happened. He’s frustrated that his father won’t let him climb to Mt. Everest’s summit but that doesn’t stop Atlas from trying to change his mind. An avalanche will find Atlas climbing farther than his father expected. Telling the story first-person also lets readers in on Atlas’s climbing knowledge and strategies as well as his conflicted thoughts about his mother.
The climbing team presents a variety of personalities to enhance the plot and drama. Mr. Blake is financing most of the expedition but his superior air creates conflict and mystery. He loves to hear himself talk, mostly about himself, and he frequently shares disparaging remarks about Atlas’s age and skill. Hushed comments between Blake and another team member create uncertainty about Blake’s character and his motives. Chodak is the main sherpa guide and his kind personality is a stark contrast to Blake. He’s the group’s biggest asset but an accident complicates his role. Maddie is about Atlas’s age and Atlas initially doesn’t like her presence on the mountain. She has very little climbing experience and one of her phobias may make her a liability. What kind of father makes Mt. Everest his daughter’s first mountain-climbing event?
What didn’t work as well:
The Nazi subplot slowly emerges but it’s not a necessary complication to the mountain-climbing adventure. The avalanche and Atlas’s subsequent efforts and setbacks to rescue his father provide plenty of drama for one book. Reader attention is distracted from this gripping problem as the topic of a Nazi spy continues. Mentioning the possibility of Nazis on Mt. Everest adds historical context to the plot but it would be better to leave it at that.
The final verdict:
The author captures the life-threatening perils and the harrowing weather conditions found on Mt. Everest to help readers experience the torturous quest to reach the summit. Atlas struggles to deal with his grief over his mother’s death and this subplot may resonate with readers. Overall, this riveting survival story will appeal to a wide audience and I recommend you give it a shot.
March 7, 2025
This story kept me gripped from start to finish! I’m a sucker for adventure stories packed with peril, and this one certainly was. This is not your normal Everest story. It is about two young people in 1939 on a rescue effort to rescue each of their fathers, who became trapped by an avalanche on their expedition up.
These characters had compelling backstories, and I honestly thought the flashback/memory chapters of earlier, perilous expeditions on our main character’s part added to the story and kept me rapt. I especially loved the relationship between the main character and his father. It’s refreshing to see such a loving relationship between parent and child in fiction that still has its hardships. It adds to the overall story, especially in our main character’s determination to save his father, even if it comes at the cost of his own life.
I will say, the Nazi spy subplot was completely unnecessary. Taking it out wouldn’t have made the story any different really, and it just felt too unrealistic. The characters had enough to busy them concerning scaling the mountain for a rescue and just thinking about the rising political tensions of the world. That would have been enough.
I was also thinking, as much as I loved the story, it felt a little unrealistic that a 15-year-old girl with no experience mountain climbing could make it to the first step of Everest, no matter the determination. However, upon reading Nielsen’s author’s note, I’m okay with this decision. She didn’t mean for the main characters to be any proof that two 15-year-olds in 1939 could’ve made it to the first step on their own, but it’s more symbolic that young people can do great and big things when they set their minds to it, which I absolutely agree with.
This story in no way takes away from the perils that come with each and every ascent of Everest. There was danger constantly, from crevasses to cliffs to altitude sickness, and these things never let up for our main characters, which added to the tension immensely. I was very glad to see these realities taken seriously.
Some other reviews say the ending is too pat, and they may be referring to the last chapter? That’s up for debate, in my opinion. The last chapter happens slightly in the future, and we do get to see how each character’s life turns out. So yes, everything’s nice and tied in a bow, but I honestly didn’t mind. I especially loved the very end of the last chapter, but you’ll have to read it to see why.
If the reviews, however, were related to the chapters before, I, too, wanted to see a little more. There was so much buildup that I wanted to see more “on-screen� payoff. I do think the ending itself was unrealistic pertaining to the number of survivors, but sometimes life is surprising, so I can’t fault Nielsen’s choice too much.
Overall, very happy with this one, and I would read it again. I was scared Nielsen had lost her touch when I read Iceberg, but I see clearly she hasn’t after reading Resistance and One Wrong Step, and Iceberg was just a bump in the road to get to this point, at least in my opinion.
These characters had compelling backstories, and I honestly thought the flashback/memory chapters of earlier, perilous expeditions on our main character’s part added to the story and kept me rapt. I especially loved the relationship between the main character and his father. It’s refreshing to see such a loving relationship between parent and child in fiction that still has its hardships. It adds to the overall story, especially in our main character’s determination to save his father, even if it comes at the cost of his own life.
I will say, the Nazi spy subplot was completely unnecessary. Taking it out wouldn’t have made the story any different really, and it just felt too unrealistic. The characters had enough to busy them concerning scaling the mountain for a rescue and just thinking about the rising political tensions of the world. That would have been enough.
I was also thinking, as much as I loved the story, it felt a little unrealistic that a 15-year-old girl with no experience mountain climbing could make it to the first step of Everest, no matter the determination. However, upon reading Nielsen’s author’s note, I’m okay with this decision. She didn’t mean for the main characters to be any proof that two 15-year-olds in 1939 could’ve made it to the first step on their own, but it’s more symbolic that young people can do great and big things when they set their minds to it, which I absolutely agree with.
This story in no way takes away from the perils that come with each and every ascent of Everest. There was danger constantly, from crevasses to cliffs to altitude sickness, and these things never let up for our main characters, which added to the tension immensely. I was very glad to see these realities taken seriously.
Some other reviews say the ending is too pat, and they may be referring to the last chapter? That’s up for debate, in my opinion. The last chapter happens slightly in the future, and we do get to see how each character’s life turns out. So yes, everything’s nice and tied in a bow, but I honestly didn’t mind. I especially loved the very end of the last chapter, but you’ll have to read it to see why.
If the reviews, however, were related to the chapters before, I, too, wanted to see a little more. There was so much buildup that I wanted to see more “on-screen� payoff. I do think the ending itself was unrealistic pertaining to the number of survivors, but sometimes life is surprising, so I can’t fault Nielsen’s choice too much.
Overall, very happy with this one, and I would read it again. I was scared Nielsen had lost her touch when I read Iceberg, but I see clearly she hasn’t after reading Resistance and One Wrong Step, and Iceberg was just a bump in the road to get to this point, at least in my opinion.
October 7, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
By 1939, Atlas Wade and his father have scaled a number of mountains, since his father is a map maker who has inherited wealth. Since Atlas' mother died three years ago, Atlas accompanies his father on many of their expeditions. The newest one is a climb of Mt. Everest, something that is fraught with difficulties. They have Mr. Thromley leading, Chodak, who is a sherpa, and the difficult Mr. Blake in their group. They are in communication with Mrs. Thromley, who gives them updated weather reports, checks in with them, and as Europe descends into war, tells them what is going on. Atlas is not very careful, putting himself in danger when a yak falls into a river. When the group gets partway up, they meet Americans Jasper Pierson and his daughter Maddie. The Wades have met Pierson before, and he witnessed a serious misstep of Atlas'. He is studying the effects of high altitudes on climbers, so hopes to go with the climbers as far as Base six. Maddie is afraid of heights, but does a decent job. When the group reaches the Advanced Base Camp, the plan is to leave Maddie and Atlas with Chodak, who has injured his hand. There is an avalanche, and while it doesn't affect the Advanced camp, there is no longer any radio communication from the rest of the group. Atlas (who really would like to summit) is determined to climb up to Base Six to rescue the group, so the three take off up the mountain. This does not go smoothly, but at one point they do hear a Morse Code SOS from the other group. Will Atlas be able to find his father and save him, or will he continue to lack focus and perish on the mountain?
Strengths: Ms. Nielsen has painted a riveting picture of all of the reasons I will NOT be climbing mountains! Atlas is only fifteen, and makes a lot of mistakes that would be inconsequential on the ground, but are nearly fatal given the terrain and altitude. There's a decent amount of history not only surrounding attempts to summit the mountain, but also concerning the escalating war in Europe. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Mr. Pierson was studying the effects of altitude on the body, so when Atlas and Maddie neared Camp Six and Atlas had headaches and other symptoms, Maddie was able to tell him what was going on. For sensitive souls, this ends in a more positive manner than George Mallory's failed expedition did.
Weaknesses: I thought this would have a little more to do with World War II. There is some mention of the events that are occurring in Europe, and some hints that one of the climbers might be associated with the Nazis, but if you are looking for a microcosm of Axis behaviors set on Mt. Everest, you will be disappointed. (I was perhaps envisioning something like Tarshis' I Survived: The Hindenburg Disaster, 1937.)
What I really think: Olson's Into the Clouds or Purja's Beyond Possible: One Man, 14 Peaks, and the Mountaineering Achievement of a Lifetime would be the perfect nonfiction accompaniment to this mountain adventure, which is similar to Smith's Peak or Reedy's Racing Storm Mountain.
By 1939, Atlas Wade and his father have scaled a number of mountains, since his father is a map maker who has inherited wealth. Since Atlas' mother died three years ago, Atlas accompanies his father on many of their expeditions. The newest one is a climb of Mt. Everest, something that is fraught with difficulties. They have Mr. Thromley leading, Chodak, who is a sherpa, and the difficult Mr. Blake in their group. They are in communication with Mrs. Thromley, who gives them updated weather reports, checks in with them, and as Europe descends into war, tells them what is going on. Atlas is not very careful, putting himself in danger when a yak falls into a river. When the group gets partway up, they meet Americans Jasper Pierson and his daughter Maddie. The Wades have met Pierson before, and he witnessed a serious misstep of Atlas'. He is studying the effects of high altitudes on climbers, so hopes to go with the climbers as far as Base six. Maddie is afraid of heights, but does a decent job. When the group reaches the Advanced Base Camp, the plan is to leave Maddie and Atlas with Chodak, who has injured his hand. There is an avalanche, and while it doesn't affect the Advanced camp, there is no longer any radio communication from the rest of the group. Atlas (who really would like to summit) is determined to climb up to Base Six to rescue the group, so the three take off up the mountain. This does not go smoothly, but at one point they do hear a Morse Code SOS from the other group. Will Atlas be able to find his father and save him, or will he continue to lack focus and perish on the mountain?
Strengths: Ms. Nielsen has painted a riveting picture of all of the reasons I will NOT be climbing mountains! Atlas is only fifteen, and makes a lot of mistakes that would be inconsequential on the ground, but are nearly fatal given the terrain and altitude. There's a decent amount of history not only surrounding attempts to summit the mountain, but also concerning the escalating war in Europe. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Mr. Pierson was studying the effects of altitude on the body, so when Atlas and Maddie neared Camp Six and Atlas had headaches and other symptoms, Maddie was able to tell him what was going on. For sensitive souls, this ends in a more positive manner than George Mallory's failed expedition did.
Weaknesses: I thought this would have a little more to do with World War II. There is some mention of the events that are occurring in Europe, and some hints that one of the climbers might be associated with the Nazis, but if you are looking for a microcosm of Axis behaviors set on Mt. Everest, you will be disappointed. (I was perhaps envisioning something like Tarshis' I Survived: The Hindenburg Disaster, 1937.)
What I really think: Olson's Into the Clouds or Purja's Beyond Possible: One Man, 14 Peaks, and the Mountaineering Achievement of a Lifetime would be the perfect nonfiction accompaniment to this mountain adventure, which is similar to Smith's Peak or Reedy's Racing Storm Mountain.
March 3, 2025
“Where your eyes go, your feet will follow”�
Those wise words from Atlas’s father guide this whole story from beginning to end. At first, this just seems like advice for climbing, but as Alas learns, this is also advice for life.
When Atlas’s mother passes away while he and his father are on a hike, Atlas’s grief turns to anger that is pointed right at his father. Two years later, in 1939 with Europe on the cusp of WWII, Atlas and his father find themselves on the climb of a lifetime as they are presented with the opportunity to climb Mount Everest. Although Atlas will not be allowed to attempt the summit due to his age, his father will be part of the team that tries to go all the way. If their team is successful, they will be the first to summit the mountain, a feat that seemed impossible at the time. At first, everything is going to plan and the team is getting close to the top. However, when an avalanche cuts off communication between Atlas and the expedition, Atlas sets off on a quest to rescue his father and the others. As if climbing Mount Everest isn’t difficult enough, there is an added challenge: there are clues that Nazis might be on the mountain with them as rumors swirl that the Nazis are going to attempt their own summit to prove their power. With the help of new friends, Atlas must attempt the impossible as he learns to let go of his anger surrounding his mother’s death while also figuring out how to keep his eyes towards the future instead of the past.
Nielsen keeps the story moving with lots of action and suspense, and every chapter leaves readers on a bit of a cliff hanger (no pun intended). The maps of Atlas’s location on the mountain are also particularly helpful to visualize where he is at in his journey. The brief vocabulary at the start of each chapter clears up confusion surrounding specific terminology related to climbing and to mountains while also providing clues as to what the chapter will be about. This story gives readers a look into what it takes to climb Mount Everest, especially at a time where technology was so limited, and it would be interesting to pair it with Peak by Roland Smith. Middle grades readers will certainly enjoy this story, and compared to some of Nielsen’s other historical fiction novels (such as Resistance or Words on Fire) I think that it is more accessible and understandable without too much background knowledge. I only wish the rescue on the mountain was more action packed. It felt like the story built to this big moment, only for it to pass by relatively quickly and without much detail. Although every character’s story was wrapped up, I was still left wanting more in this area. Perhaps like climbing a mountain, the story was designed to take a long time on the ascent, only for it to end quickly on the way down. Although this wasn’t my favorite Nielsen book and it left me wanting a little bit more in some areas, I would definitely recommend this book to my students and I can’t wait to get it in their hands! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Those wise words from Atlas’s father guide this whole story from beginning to end. At first, this just seems like advice for climbing, but as Alas learns, this is also advice for life.
When Atlas’s mother passes away while he and his father are on a hike, Atlas’s grief turns to anger that is pointed right at his father. Two years later, in 1939 with Europe on the cusp of WWII, Atlas and his father find themselves on the climb of a lifetime as they are presented with the opportunity to climb Mount Everest. Although Atlas will not be allowed to attempt the summit due to his age, his father will be part of the team that tries to go all the way. If their team is successful, they will be the first to summit the mountain, a feat that seemed impossible at the time. At first, everything is going to plan and the team is getting close to the top. However, when an avalanche cuts off communication between Atlas and the expedition, Atlas sets off on a quest to rescue his father and the others. As if climbing Mount Everest isn’t difficult enough, there is an added challenge: there are clues that Nazis might be on the mountain with them as rumors swirl that the Nazis are going to attempt their own summit to prove their power. With the help of new friends, Atlas must attempt the impossible as he learns to let go of his anger surrounding his mother’s death while also figuring out how to keep his eyes towards the future instead of the past.
Nielsen keeps the story moving with lots of action and suspense, and every chapter leaves readers on a bit of a cliff hanger (no pun intended). The maps of Atlas’s location on the mountain are also particularly helpful to visualize where he is at in his journey. The brief vocabulary at the start of each chapter clears up confusion surrounding specific terminology related to climbing and to mountains while also providing clues as to what the chapter will be about. This story gives readers a look into what it takes to climb Mount Everest, especially at a time where technology was so limited, and it would be interesting to pair it with Peak by Roland Smith. Middle grades readers will certainly enjoy this story, and compared to some of Nielsen’s other historical fiction novels (such as Resistance or Words on Fire) I think that it is more accessible and understandable without too much background knowledge. I only wish the rescue on the mountain was more action packed. It felt like the story built to this big moment, only for it to pass by relatively quickly and without much detail. Although every character’s story was wrapped up, I was still left wanting more in this area. Perhaps like climbing a mountain, the story was designed to take a long time on the ascent, only for it to end quickly on the way down. Although this wasn’t my favorite Nielsen book and it left me wanting a little bit more in some areas, I would definitely recommend this book to my students and I can’t wait to get it in their hands! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
October 31, 2024
Compared against all middle grade authors this is a decent read, although not as good as , in my opinion. Compared against Nielsen’s other works, I’d give it 2 stars. I have not been overly impressed with her most recent MG stand alones.
Following the death of his mum, Atlas� father has been trying to help him cope by forging ahead with their mountain climbing interests. It’s 1939 and Mt. Everest stands in front of them. They have joined an expedition which eventually combines with a father/daughter group from Texas. As they work their way from one camp to another, the adults continue on, leaving Atlas, Maddie and the Sherpa Chodak at Advanced Base Camp 3 . But soon after departing, an avalanche descends on the group and radio communication is lost. Not knowing their fate, Atlas and Maddie refuse to leave their dads behind, and set out to find them, despite instructions not to do so.
I have a couple of issues with this book. 1) I know JN loves WW2, but her decision to include a character that might be a Nazi spy set on sabotaging the expedition completely detracted from the seriousness of the climb. Some of the dialogue was absurd and I found myself wondering whether grown men would really be having such conversations. 2) The details of the two kids tackling Everest on their own was not remotely believable. During moments when death was literally feet away, they were laughing and singing, rather than crying. They were facing storms, dehydration, frostbite and severe oxygen deprivation. I could not sense the desperation in their dialogue. Since the likelihood of two kids surviving alone in the last stretch of the Everest ascent, is next to impossible in the best of circumstances, I at least wanted a modicum of believability. This is supposed to be a serious book after all.
Kids fascinated by Mt. Everest will pick it up, but it is not a crowd pleaser like or . I feel like Nielsen is running out of good ideas.
Following the death of his mum, Atlas� father has been trying to help him cope by forging ahead with their mountain climbing interests. It’s 1939 and Mt. Everest stands in front of them. They have joined an expedition which eventually combines with a father/daughter group from Texas. As they work their way from one camp to another, the adults continue on, leaving Atlas, Maddie and the Sherpa Chodak at Advanced Base Camp 3 . But soon after departing, an avalanche descends on the group and radio communication is lost. Not knowing their fate, Atlas and Maddie refuse to leave their dads behind, and set out to find them, despite instructions not to do so.
I have a couple of issues with this book. 1) I know JN loves WW2, but her decision to include a character that might be a Nazi spy set on sabotaging the expedition completely detracted from the seriousness of the climb. Some of the dialogue was absurd and I found myself wondering whether grown men would really be having such conversations. 2) The details of the two kids tackling Everest on their own was not remotely believable. During moments when death was literally feet away, they were laughing and singing, rather than crying. They were facing storms, dehydration, frostbite and severe oxygen deprivation. I could not sense the desperation in their dialogue. Since the likelihood of two kids surviving alone in the last stretch of the Everest ascent, is next to impossible in the best of circumstances, I at least wanted a modicum of believability. This is supposed to be a serious book after all.
Kids fascinated by Mt. Everest will pick it up, but it is not a crowd pleaser like or . I feel like Nielsen is running out of good ideas.
January 26, 2025
History meets adventure in a way which pushes characters to their limits and lets the bravery of human spirit shine.
Atlas's mother died three years before, and he still mourns her loss, especially when him and his father are hiking and mountain climbing. After all, these were some of her favorite activities. Atlas and his father have always had a goal, to scale Mount Everest. They've climbed high peeks, taken months to get themselves acclimated in Tibet, and have arranged all the necessary professional equipment and guides. So they are prepared. But things don't go as planned, and Atlas finds himself making some very tough decisions...ones that could cost his and others' lives.
While this is based on historical events and circumstances around 1939, several aspects are, actually, impossible. Atlas is only fourteen and would have never been involved in an expedition to Mount Everest in 1939. Another teen, Maddie, who joins later and has a fear of heights, would have even been less accepted. Once this aspect is overlooked, the story is very well written. I just wish there had been a word to the reader in the beginning explaining this.
The story is tense, grabbing, and keeps the reader in the pages. The author brings the dangers across carefully and clearly, and hits upon facts surrounding climbing and such which aren't often addressed, especially for this age group. The researcher, who joins the group for his studies, is a great way to introduce the more scientific goals of the time and rolls in some of the aspects naturally, especially during conversations. While the knowledge goodness slides in here and there, the tension is kept high to make sure there's never a boring moment. Atlas makes one mistake after the other, which gives him a more realistic touch and also adds extra clout when his father refuses to let him go past a certain point. Not that the adventure ends at that moment.
This didn't hit on the Nazi side nearly as much as I expected after reading the blurb, but the occurrences in Europe are mentioned and explained. A side character also is involved in this aspect, but the story still stays focused on Atlas and the adventures during the climb.
The ending makes sure the story sticks to the middle grade audience and wraps things up much nicer than reality would have done.
It's a grabbing read for outdoor adventure fans, who love tension, danger, and characters who push their boundaries.
Atlas's mother died three years before, and he still mourns her loss, especially when him and his father are hiking and mountain climbing. After all, these were some of her favorite activities. Atlas and his father have always had a goal, to scale Mount Everest. They've climbed high peeks, taken months to get themselves acclimated in Tibet, and have arranged all the necessary professional equipment and guides. So they are prepared. But things don't go as planned, and Atlas finds himself making some very tough decisions...ones that could cost his and others' lives.
While this is based on historical events and circumstances around 1939, several aspects are, actually, impossible. Atlas is only fourteen and would have never been involved in an expedition to Mount Everest in 1939. Another teen, Maddie, who joins later and has a fear of heights, would have even been less accepted. Once this aspect is overlooked, the story is very well written. I just wish there had been a word to the reader in the beginning explaining this.
The story is tense, grabbing, and keeps the reader in the pages. The author brings the dangers across carefully and clearly, and hits upon facts surrounding climbing and such which aren't often addressed, especially for this age group. The researcher, who joins the group for his studies, is a great way to introduce the more scientific goals of the time and rolls in some of the aspects naturally, especially during conversations. While the knowledge goodness slides in here and there, the tension is kept high to make sure there's never a boring moment. Atlas makes one mistake after the other, which gives him a more realistic touch and also adds extra clout when his father refuses to let him go past a certain point. Not that the adventure ends at that moment.
This didn't hit on the Nazi side nearly as much as I expected after reading the blurb, but the occurrences in Europe are mentioned and explained. A side character also is involved in this aspect, but the story still stays focused on Atlas and the adventures during the climb.
The ending makes sure the story sticks to the middle grade audience and wraps things up much nicer than reality would have done.
It's a grabbing read for outdoor adventure fans, who love tension, danger, and characters who push their boundaries.
April 28, 2025
Jennifer Nielsen, prolific writer of both YA and MG works, bring an action adventure novel to her middle grade audience set on Mount Everest that will keep 9-13 year olds up late at night to discover if Atlas and Maddie survive being alone on the world’s highest peak.
Climbing and hiking have been a part of Atlas� life since he was very young but since his mother died three years ago, it seems that is the only thing he and his father share. Now the pair have set out to conquer the might Everest with a small group of equally motivated men, primarily British and Sherpas from Tibet. But conditions on the mountain are ever-changing and always challenging and his father insists on leaving him at a camp short of the summit with equally young Maddie whose father is the lone American on the team, and Chodak, one of the Sherpa guides who has been injured. From this lower point of the mountain, the trio watches as an avalanche sweeps down from above, burying the group who were nearing the final push towards their goal. Despite the low chance of success, Atlas, Maddie and Chodak set out to find the men and lead them back down to safety. Every step a challenge, readers will travel with the would-be rescuers through blinding snow, powerful winds and cross ladders over deep crevasses, all the while, wondering if their loved ones are alive and who seems to be on the mountain with them.
Exciting story that does make references to real life events and people, explorers on Everest, precursors to WWII, and tells of some of Atlas� earlier climbs on some of the world’s most beautiful peaks. Those looking for another Nielsen historical fiction, however, will not find that here. ONE WRONG STEP is action-adventure through and through and is just as recommended as her titles with deeper links to history, and while most of its readers are not likely to attempt climbing Mount Everest, they will relate to Atlas and Maddie striving towards a goal, putting others first and keeping their eyes forward instead of focusing on mistakes or tragedy that is behind them.
Highly recommended. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and the only violence is that done by nature.
Thanks for offering this title in the literal “free for all� clearing out of the booth at the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference, Scholastic! I had my eye on this one from the beginning!
Climbing and hiking have been a part of Atlas� life since he was very young but since his mother died three years ago, it seems that is the only thing he and his father share. Now the pair have set out to conquer the might Everest with a small group of equally motivated men, primarily British and Sherpas from Tibet. But conditions on the mountain are ever-changing and always challenging and his father insists on leaving him at a camp short of the summit with equally young Maddie whose father is the lone American on the team, and Chodak, one of the Sherpa guides who has been injured. From this lower point of the mountain, the trio watches as an avalanche sweeps down from above, burying the group who were nearing the final push towards their goal. Despite the low chance of success, Atlas, Maddie and Chodak set out to find the men and lead them back down to safety. Every step a challenge, readers will travel with the would-be rescuers through blinding snow, powerful winds and cross ladders over deep crevasses, all the while, wondering if their loved ones are alive and who seems to be on the mountain with them.
Exciting story that does make references to real life events and people, explorers on Everest, precursors to WWII, and tells of some of Atlas� earlier climbs on some of the world’s most beautiful peaks. Those looking for another Nielsen historical fiction, however, will not find that here. ONE WRONG STEP is action-adventure through and through and is just as recommended as her titles with deeper links to history, and while most of its readers are not likely to attempt climbing Mount Everest, they will relate to Atlas and Maddie striving towards a goal, putting others first and keeping their eyes forward instead of focusing on mistakes or tragedy that is behind them.
Highly recommended. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and the only violence is that done by nature.
Thanks for offering this title in the literal “free for all� clearing out of the booth at the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference, Scholastic! I had my eye on this one from the beginning!
March 18, 2025
First sentence: It's been almost three years since my dad and I climbed Kings Peak, but I still think about the summer of 1936 every single day.
Atlas, our hero, loves climbing mountains--first with his parents, then with just his dad. However his relationship with his father has been strained of late since his mother's death. The novel is set on Mount Everest in 1939: the world is on the verge of war AND the mountain is on the verge of an avalanche.
Atlas and his new friend, Maddie, are left behind at Advanced Base Camp. Maddie has little to no experience climbing mountains--she is just along with her dad. Atlas has some climbing experience, but at 14 he's not deemed "reliable" and "wise" enough to include in the quest for the summit. For perspective, however, consider that in 1939, NO HUMAN BEING--male or female--had reached the summit. So it makes all the sense in the world why the leader--Atlas' dad--would decide NO.
The book's adventure truly begins when they hear an AVALANCHE above them knowing that the group--including both their fathers--will be in great danger. After their sherpa, Chodak, is greatly injured, these two head out on their own to rescue the team. Against advice--mind you--but the very young do not always do what they are told...
My thoughts: This is an action-packed historical survival-themed coming of age story. I never set out to read a moderate amount of books about mountain climbing. It just happened throughout the years. This one was compelling. It was action-packed yet it had a lot of substance and depth. Atlas is going through a lot--emotionally, mentally, physically. This time on the mountain may just change how he sees everything.
Atlas, our hero, loves climbing mountains--first with his parents, then with just his dad. However his relationship with his father has been strained of late since his mother's death. The novel is set on Mount Everest in 1939: the world is on the verge of war AND the mountain is on the verge of an avalanche.
Atlas and his new friend, Maddie, are left behind at Advanced Base Camp. Maddie has little to no experience climbing mountains--she is just along with her dad. Atlas has some climbing experience, but at 14 he's not deemed "reliable" and "wise" enough to include in the quest for the summit. For perspective, however, consider that in 1939, NO HUMAN BEING--male or female--had reached the summit. So it makes all the sense in the world why the leader--Atlas' dad--would decide NO.
The book's adventure truly begins when they hear an AVALANCHE above them knowing that the group--including both their fathers--will be in great danger. After their sherpa, Chodak, is greatly injured, these two head out on their own to rescue the team. Against advice--mind you--but the very young do not always do what they are told...
My thoughts: This is an action-packed historical survival-themed coming of age story. I never set out to read a moderate amount of books about mountain climbing. It just happened throughout the years. This one was compelling. It was action-packed yet it had a lot of substance and depth. Atlas is going through a lot--emotionally, mentally, physically. This time on the mountain may just change how he sees everything.
April 22, 2025
The kids in my middle grade literature class LOVE Jennifer A. Nielsen's historical fiction, so whenever there's a new release, I know I've got to read it and add it to a future class list! Many of her books take place during active war time and locations, but this one, while set in 1939 and referencing the impending war, takes place on Mount Everest. The main character is a young climber with his dad, while another prominent character is a young female climber with her dad, so I think this one will be a big hit with all the students in my class. Full of action, just as you'd expect, this story touches on family, love and loss, and the importance of hope.
"My people believe that hope will get you to cross a bridge, but first, we must do the hard work to build the bridge."
***
"It is a difficult thing to see this evil spreading through Europe while so many do nothing, or even help to advance its cause."
***
"There is no superior or inferior race, sir. But there are superior and inferior ideas. The ideas you have accepted by joining the Nazi Party will one day be viewed as some of the most evil in history. Leave the party while you still have a soul left."
***
"I can't be afraid anymore... What I mean to say is that of course I'm afraid to do this, but I can't let that fear make this decision for me."
***
"My eyes were open now, and from now on, I planned to look forward, and to look upward. Where the eyes went, my feet would follow. My future was still ahead of me. That was what my father had always hoped I'd learn while climbing. He never cared if I made mistakes. He only wanted me to learn from them and keep moving forward."
"My people believe that hope will get you to cross a bridge, but first, we must do the hard work to build the bridge."
***
"It is a difficult thing to see this evil spreading through Europe while so many do nothing, or even help to advance its cause."
***
"There is no superior or inferior race, sir. But there are superior and inferior ideas. The ideas you have accepted by joining the Nazi Party will one day be viewed as some of the most evil in history. Leave the party while you still have a soul left."
***
"I can't be afraid anymore... What I mean to say is that of course I'm afraid to do this, but I can't let that fear make this decision for me."
***
"My eyes were open now, and from now on, I planned to look forward, and to look upward. Where the eyes went, my feet would follow. My future was still ahead of me. That was what my father had always hoped I'd learn while climbing. He never cared if I made mistakes. He only wanted me to learn from them and keep moving forward."
January 28, 2025
** ARC Review **
One Wrong Step" by Jennifer Nielson is a gripping adventure set against the backdrop of 1939 on the treacherous slopes of Mount Everest as World War II erupts. The novel follows two teenagers, Atlas and Maddie, whose fathers are part of a climbing expedition. When a devastating avalanche strikes the group their fathers are with, the children embark on a perilous journey to find the team and rescue them.
This coming-of-age story is not only a thrilling survival tale but also a poignant exploration of grief and resilience. Atlas, grappling with the loss of his mother three years prior, finds unexpected solace in the face of danger. As he and Maddie navigate the icy terrain, their budding friendship provides a lifeline amidst the fear and uncertainty.
Nielson masterfully builds suspense, leaving readers constantly wondering what new peril awaits the intrepid duo. The inclusion of a detailed map before each chapter visually tracks their progress, while the inclusion of dates and helpful definitions enhances the reader's immersion in this gripping historical setting.
"One Wrong Step" is a captivating read; a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
One Wrong Step" by Jennifer Nielson is a gripping adventure set against the backdrop of 1939 on the treacherous slopes of Mount Everest as World War II erupts. The novel follows two teenagers, Atlas and Maddie, whose fathers are part of a climbing expedition. When a devastating avalanche strikes the group their fathers are with, the children embark on a perilous journey to find the team and rescue them.
This coming-of-age story is not only a thrilling survival tale but also a poignant exploration of grief and resilience. Atlas, grappling with the loss of his mother three years prior, finds unexpected solace in the face of danger. As he and Maddie navigate the icy terrain, their budding friendship provides a lifeline amidst the fear and uncertainty.
Nielson masterfully builds suspense, leaving readers constantly wondering what new peril awaits the intrepid duo. The inclusion of a detailed map before each chapter visually tracks their progress, while the inclusion of dates and helpful definitions enhances the reader's immersion in this gripping historical setting.
"One Wrong Step" is a captivating read; a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
March 22, 2025
4 stars for this sorta WWII middle grade historical fiction and sorta middle grade fiction dealing with loss and family. I love Jennifer Nielsen's middle grade historical fiction books. I have read every single one, and I own every single one. Most of the time her MG historical fiction reads have girls as the main characters. However, One Wrong Step does not follow the norm.
This book follows Atlas, a 14 yr old from Britain. He has healing to do, but he also has some saving to do as well. Atlas learns more about himself as they are climbing Mt. Everest in the late 1930s. You see a little bit of the pre-WWII impacts in Britain as well as in places like Mt. Everest. There is fear of Nazi spies, and there is a lot of unknown.
Atlas is the main character, but Maddie is a strong supporting character. Both Atlas and Maddie have things to overcome as well as some saving to do. I loved Nielsen's author note at the end mentioning that this could represent anyone's personal "Everest."
A few quotes I liked:
"Hate is spreading, and it cannot end well." At any moment in history, when hate spreads bad things follow.
"Hope will get you to cross to bridge, but first we must do the hard work to build the bridge." Love this!
This book follows Atlas, a 14 yr old from Britain. He has healing to do, but he also has some saving to do as well. Atlas learns more about himself as they are climbing Mt. Everest in the late 1930s. You see a little bit of the pre-WWII impacts in Britain as well as in places like Mt. Everest. There is fear of Nazi spies, and there is a lot of unknown.
Atlas is the main character, but Maddie is a strong supporting character. Both Atlas and Maddie have things to overcome as well as some saving to do. I loved Nielsen's author note at the end mentioning that this could represent anyone's personal "Everest."
A few quotes I liked:
"Hate is spreading, and it cannot end well." At any moment in history, when hate spreads bad things follow.
"Hope will get you to cross to bridge, but first we must do the hard work to build the bridge." Love this!
April 21, 2025
Keep putting one foot in front of the other, find a way back every time you fall, and keep hold of the rope. The view from the top will be worth it.
While my husband and I have enjoyed some hiking on mountain trails with views for miles, I think it is safe to say that we would never say Climbing Mt. Everest is on our bucket list. That's why the people in this book are so inspiring. Training, packing, and preparing for the climb up Mt. Everest takes discipline, commitment, technical skill, and teamwork.
In this new release from Jennifer A. Nielsen, it is 1939, and a team of men plus two preteens are on the slopes of Mt. Everest. At a predetermined point, the two kids are left with a Sherpa at a base camp to wait for the rest of the team to go to the top and come back down. Then they lose contact. Can two kids and one Sherpa rescue the missing teammates?
The inclusion of the two young people is pure fiction, but still Nielsen gives us helpful maps for reference, a new term at the beginning of each chapter, and a story that keeps you on your toes.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
While my husband and I have enjoyed some hiking on mountain trails with views for miles, I think it is safe to say that we would never say Climbing Mt. Everest is on our bucket list. That's why the people in this book are so inspiring. Training, packing, and preparing for the climb up Mt. Everest takes discipline, commitment, technical skill, and teamwork.
In this new release from Jennifer A. Nielsen, it is 1939, and a team of men plus two preteens are on the slopes of Mt. Everest. At a predetermined point, the two kids are left with a Sherpa at a base camp to wait for the rest of the team to go to the top and come back down. Then they lose contact. Can two kids and one Sherpa rescue the missing teammates?
The inclusion of the two young people is pure fiction, but still Nielsen gives us helpful maps for reference, a new term at the beginning of each chapter, and a story that keeps you on your toes.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2025
3.5 stars. In my humble opinion, elementary age students in Colorado will eat this book up. Why? It’s a page turner. One more page and you’ll figure out if they make it. Kids need that to keep reading. They love survival books. I can just hear them thinking to themselves that they definitely could beat the odds and conquer every obstacle just like Atlas. And bagging peaks is something many Colorado kids can relate to—even if they’d never attempted it themselves. And lastly, the whole Nazi competition thing will be right up their alley. So I think this a book for all the elementary school libraries near me (read: CO and neighboring Rocky Mountain states).
Yet, it is a bit of a stretch. Well, more like a huge stretch. In fact, “you’re kidding me, right?� was a constant refrain in the back of my head. The Sherpa speaking perfect English? The whole Nazi thing? And the complete implausibility of the trek with Atlas and Maddie alone. But O don’t read books for myself. I read them for children. I really think their disbelief will be firmly suspended. And I don’t see much harm in that.
I’ve read almost all of Nielsen’s books and this fits right in.
Yet, it is a bit of a stretch. Well, more like a huge stretch. In fact, “you’re kidding me, right?� was a constant refrain in the back of my head. The Sherpa speaking perfect English? The whole Nazi thing? And the complete implausibility of the trek with Atlas and Maddie alone. But O don’t read books for myself. I read them for children. I really think their disbelief will be firmly suspended. And I don’t see much harm in that.
I’ve read almost all of Nielsen’s books and this fits right in.
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