Sandra Weber lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. She is the author of three Adirondack history books. In 2003, Sandra became an Adirondack Forty-Sixer, having climbed all forty-six high peaks.
Carl E. Heilman II lives in the Adirondacks with his wife, a cat, and a flock of chickens. His photos have appeared in many books, magazines, calendars, posters, and museum exhibits. He is the author of two photo books and the producer of two multi-image videos.
Grade 4-8–Weber, an experienced and avid hiker, recounts with vivid detail a 12-day journey with her 11-year-old daughter, Marcy, in the Adirondack Mountains. Together they climbed peaks, crossed beaver dams, endured rainstorms, and explored beautiful forests. The narrative weaves together the history of the mountains, both geological and cultural, with a here-and-now account of their ups and downs through this rugged landscape. The details of food preparation and footwear mingle with descriptions of soaring landscapes and encounters with the fauna of the area. While the writing occasionally strays to the simplistic, laying out the most mundane of details, the narrative still manages to hold attention and impart interesting historical facts about the people and places that make the Adirondacks so fascinating. Sidebars from Marcy's own journal of the trip offer up a humorous counterpoint to her mother's poetic descriptions of the environment. Color photographs, taken by a local artist who joined the duo periodically, document most of the outing, allowing readers to share intimate glimpses at the mother-daughter relationship. This title is likely to appeal to girls looking for a bit of adventure in their nonfiction reading. A strong addition to any mountaineering collection.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
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