Book Reviews and More: The Climb - Gordon Korman

The Climb

Everest Book 2

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780545392334

eISBN 9780545666374

ASIN B00E9BJ8JK

The Climb - Gordon Korman - Everest Book 2

This book was originally published in 2002, unlike the other 2 trilogies that published around the same time; the Island Series or the Dive Series, this series has not gone through a rebranding in 2025. Though there are a couple different versions of the cover of book one, one in brown and the current in blue. According to Goodreads there are 24 editions of the first volume in this series, including editions in English, French, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish editions listed. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 65 of his books including this volume, a few of them more than once. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. I am over half way thorough his canon, and have completed all the stand alone books and am now just working my way through the remaining series. Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged, and I am always entertained. My son, who is 17 often, reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them.

One description of this volume states:

“A thrilling adventure trilogy from Gordon Korman that follows a group of young climbers to the top of Mt. Everest!

The height of danger. Everest. The ultimate climb. The greatest of risks. Four kids are on a quest to reach the top-and none of them are among the four anyone expected to be there when Summit Athletic started the contest to bring the youngest team of climbers to the peak. Their ascent is not easy. The weather is harsh, and the competition is even harsher. Then the unexpected happens, and the climbing contest becomes a life-or-death rescue mission. With thinning air-and on thin ice-no one is guaranteed to survive.”

another states:

“A thrilling adventure trilogy from Gordon Korman about a number of kids competing to be the youngest person to ever reach the top of Mt. Everest

Four kids. One mountain.

The youngest expedition ever to attempt an Everest climb has begun. But the trouble starts long before they reach the summit. Competition is fierce. Conditions are harsh. And the trek from Base Camp proves a challenge that not all the contestants can meet...with disastrous results. And then the storm hits...”

The story begins with a prologue. That prologue begins with:

“Dominic Alexis was waiting his turn to use the airplane bathroom when he got his first glimpse of Mount Everest.

Standing there in the narrow aisle of the 747, he froze, gawking out the porthole in the emergency door. To the north rose the jagged, icy spires of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range on the face of the earth. And right in the heart of it, the giant among giants — barely lower than the cruising altitude of the plane — Everest.

There should be trumpets, he thought reverently. A fanfare. Fireworks.”

It concludes with:

“Dominic’s eyes never left the mountain. “You’re crazy if you’re not a little bit scared.”

“I’m just amped,” said Sammi. “I can’t believe we’re really on our way!”

They squinted through the clouds, trying to discern the summit — the object of years of climbing and months of preparation.

What Dominic, Tilt, Sammi, and Perry could not know was that the mist-obscured peak was more than a goal. For one of the four team members, it would be a final resting place.”

From the very beginning of book one we know this is a tragic tale, and we are reminded again with the prologue of this instalment in the story. This second instalment in the series begins with Dominic, Tilt, Sammi, and Perry heading to Everest to summit the mountain sponsored by Summit Athletic Fuel and Energy Bars. The goal is to be the youngest to ever summit. Sammi is she makes it will be the youngest women to ever reach the peak, and all three guys are in the running. If the whole team makes it Dominic will set the record.

But all is not as it appears on the team. One of their members wants the glory for themselves; and is even trying to sabotage the chances of one of the other climbers. With some misdirection they are even able to throw some shade on someone climbing with a different team who bailed on being part of this climb.

The main events in this instalment of the series are their arrival, and slow progress up the mountain to get acclimatized. One of the team suffers altitude sickness and for a while it looks like they will not even reach base camp. After a tragic accident with another team, the group attempts two different heroic rescues. One group breaking explicit instructions. To find out what happens read this excellent volume in this intense and thrilling series.

It is a strong instalment in the story in the adventure story of the four young climbers that young readers will love. Heck I am in my mid-fifties and I am loving it. This series is published as three short works; it is also published in an omnibus edition with all three stories in 1 volume. Unfortunately that 3 in1 edition is out of print and it looks like it was never released as an eBook. What I like about the shorter versions, is they are great for the classroom, or reluctant readers. This volume is another short read, it really grabs your attention, and draws you in, and it leaves you desperate for the final piece of the story. As mentioned this is one of a few series written around the same time, in a similar format. If you love it check ou the Dive, Island, or even the Titanic series as well.

A great read from Korman’s masterful pen.

I still have 32 books from series left to read to have completed the canon of Korman’s works. I am grateful I finally gave this series a read; I look forward to the final offering in the trilogy, and finishing the other 3 trilogies as well. It is an intense read in an exciting series!

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)