'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday 24 July 2011

Review: Raven's Mountain

A girl runs towards shadowy peaks on the cover of Raven’s Mountain. It gave me the creeps, but I still wanted to know what happened.

Raven’s mother remarries and her new stepfather decides to take Raven and her older sister camping while their mum sets up the new home. He takes them to the mountain of his childhood: Raven’s Mountain, where they climb to the peak.

It is here that things go terribly wrong. Without giving the story away, Raven has to return to the campsite alone to get help. More than one person’s life depends on it.

Raven didn’t want to leave her two best friends when they moved. Funnily enough, they stay close as Raven faces several life and death situations. It is their voices that keep her moving when she has no strength left. Raven’s journey is riveting. How can an 11 year old find her way in unfamiliar rugged terrain, especially when she’s lost her glasses? I was glued.

Despite the urgency of Raven’s situation and some extremely scary bits, the tension is balanced with well-placed humour. Raven sees things in a typical, disarming 11-year-old way, which brings a smile if not a giggle just when you need it.

A must read for anyone with an adventurous spirit.

Title: Raven’s Mountain
Author: Wendy Orr
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $14.99RRP
Publication Date: Feb 2011
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781742374659
For ages: 8 -12
Type: Junior Fiction, Middle Fiction