Anita Yasuda

A well-done biography of a very determined person. But reading it really makes me realize how massively stupid mountain climbing is. Leave the mountain alone, ya moronic adrenaline junkies!

One thing I like about this book is that it incorporates characters with scientific experiments that kids can try. The projects in this book would work best with science content focused on the solar system. Students could try the experiments at home if they had the resources, or the experiments could be used as in-class science lessons. Students who have read this book might even be able to give input about what experiments to try, which gives them ownership over their learning.

This is a nice, accessible telling of the Iroquois creation myth for young children, going further than some versions I know by explaining the emergence of good and evil in the world. My only complaint is that the art is comic-bookish; it does not reflect or amplify the mythic power of the story.

First sentence: Junko's hill was her entire world.

Premise/plot: Up, Up Ever Up! is a picture book biography of mountain climber and activist Junko Tabei. It recently earned a Caldecott Honor.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. Books about mountain climbing aren't really "my thing" if you will. But I do try to keep up with the Newbery and Caldecott winners and honors. And I do enjoy a good nonfiction picture book biography. I think this one will appeal to readers who do like adventure-y show more outdoors sports. There are so many good-to-great nonfiction biographies that kids can read these days.

As for the rating. I have gone back and forth a dozen times between three stars and four stars. I have. This book was just made for a three and half star rating. (Which I don't do because GoodReads doesn't do). show less