Lily’s Mountain

Lily, 12 years old, has grown up camping and hiking in her little corner of Alaska in the penumbra of Denali Mountain. She and her older sister, Sophie, and her mom and dad have hiked and camped in the area a great deal, and Lily and Sophie’s dad has taught them all the survival skills they need. Lily’s dad is a mountain climber and journalist. When he goes to climb Denali in the middle of summer, no one worries. But a phone call comes saying Dad has been lost in a crevasse. Lily doesn’t believe for a moment he is really gone. There is only one thing for her to do — she has to go to Denali and find him and bring him home. She talks Sophie into going with her to Denali Park but doesn’t tell her about the real mission.

Debut author Hannah Moderow is a life-long Alaskan, and she takes her readers there with wonderful setting descriptions and terrific metaphors. The story is one kids will buy into, and it will keep those pages turning. The characters are well-rounded and complex. With crisp writing and a compelling story, this is a winner.