Between Heaven and Earth

✍ Scribed by Walters, Eric

• Book ID: 107180542
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Year: 2012
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 226 KB
• Series: Seven 1
• Category: Fiction

✦ Synopsis

"DJ is David McLean's eldest grandson, so it stands to reason that he be the one to scatter his beloved grandfather's ashes. At least that's how DJ sees it. He's always been the best at everything--sports, school, looking after his fatherless family--so climbing Kilimanjaro is just another thing he'll accomplish almost effortlessly. Or so he thinks, until he arrives in Tanzania and everything starts to go wrong. He's detained at immigration, he gets robbed, his climbing group includes an old lady and he gets stuck with the first ever female porter. Forced to go polepole (slowly), DJ finds out the hard way that youth, fitness level and drive have nothing to do with success on the mountain--or in life."

Review

"While DJ's overconfidence makes it hard to root for him at first, his growth along the way soon transforms him into a more palatable hero. The biggest draw, though, is Walter's keen attention to atmosphere, detail, and setting—Mount Kilimanjaro is a character unto itself. " (Publishers Weekly 20120924)

"The rich setting and the thrilling details of the climb will make readers yearn for their own adventure. However, graphic descriptions of altitude sickness and stomach-twisting trail food leave no false illusions that the journey will be an easy one...Richly detailed and satisfying." (Kirkus Reviews 20120901)

"An amazing book Between Heaven and Earth will leave readers wanting to read the rest of the series!" (Rachel C., Teen reviewer with YALSA's Teens Top Ten review program 20120802)

"Strikingly realistic...It really made me want to experience the climb for myself." (YALSA YA Galley Teen Review 20120821)

"A story of determination and will that forces the characters to reconsider what is truly important in life and why they are really climbing the mountain." (YALSA YA Galley Teen Review 20120821)

"Walters' style is, as usual, quick and catchy, but smooth and engaging at the same time. His characters are well-developed, focusing mainly on three people, DJ, Sarah, and Doris, as they struggle to make their way toward the summit and deposit DJ's grandfather's ashes....Walters' has written a fantastic story that will capture the attention of young readers and keep them engaged until the last page...Highly Recommended." (CM Magazine 20120907)