Product Details

• Published on: 2005-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up–Anna, a 16-year-old troubled by her broken family, has just moved to Las Vegas. She meets Jeremy, who turns her on to rock climbing, which is his way to offer her new ways of thinking about making positive changes. Every Saturday, teens and adults from different backgrounds meet at Red Rock Canyon to Climb On, a euphemism for reaching their goals. While climbing, Anna encounters stumbling blocks, which can be related to her personal life. In an effort to keep her from quitting, the members encourage her to take baby steps to reach her goal of having a better relationship with her family and overcoming obstacles in school. Jeremy turns out to be her biggest motivation. She later finds out that he is HIV-positive due to mistakes in his past. He shows her that the choices she makes will shape her life, for better or worse. Teens will relate to the situations, such as Anna's unfortunate home life and the loneliness she feels, and see that there are steps to be taken to improve their future, no matter how big or small their goals. For climbing, the skills needed are strength, endurance, balance, and mental persistence. In other goals, the skills may differ, but the same principles can be applied. Teens will find the book both interesting and easy to read. Helpful hints are highlighted in the middle and end of different chapters. Characters are easy to relate to and the situations are believable enough for teens to become motivated.–Nicole Marcuccilli Mills, Glenview Public Library, IL
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