Peak by Roland Smith

Have you ever dreamed of being the first to do something? Or to just plain do something that very few people get to do? Peak Marcello finds himself in just that position. Born to famous, rock climbing parents, Peak has inherited their love of rock climbing. However, he and his mother have moved from Wyoming to New York City to live with his step-father, and New York City is not exactly a rock climber's paradise. Peak turns to climbing sky scrapers instead, and, to add some excitement, he leaves secret tags on his conquests. Climbing sky scrapers is illegal, and one day he is caught and thrown in juvenile hall with the possibility of spending years in jail. Lucky for Peak, his long absent father steps in and strikes a deal with the judge: Peak will leave the United States, and the media blitz his actions have caused, to join his father in Thailand. However, when Peak lands in Thailand, he finds that his father has other plans for him. Peak will become the youngest person to ever reach the peak of Mount Everest. Peak jumps at the chance, but soon learns that his father has his own motivations for getting Peak to the top. Furthermore, one of Peak's father's guides has his own plan for getting another young man to the top. Climbing Mount Everest takes a great amount of ambition, and some are more ambitious than others. The preparation for ascending Mt. Everest can be more difficult than the actual push to the top. There are so many obstacles in Peak's way. Will he make it? Will he even survive the treacherous climb in a place that even stepping out of your tent to go to the bathroom can mean your death?

Peak is a page turner with just the right amount of suspense and danger. You don't need to know anything about mountain climbing as Smith describes everything you need to know without going into too much detail. I recommend this book for everybody, not just adventure junkies and/or guys. It is a quick read that will keep you guessing until the end.

Book; 12+; ISBN 9780152024178; Orlando, FL : Harcourt Children's Books, 2007

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Wouldn't it be cool to be able to read minds and know the moods of those around you? Ever Bloom can, but she is not so happy about it. Ever has lost almost her entire family in a car accident and now lives with her older sister, who is a successful lawyer in southern California. Ever almost died in the accident too, and, after a near death experience, has been able to read people's minds and see their auras. Unfortunately, she cannot turn her power on and off at will. School is sometimes overwhelming with the overload of her classmates' and teachers' thoughts, and has gone from the popular teen she once was to a reclusive girl who hides under hoodies and constantly has her iPod's earphones blocking out the world around her.

Then, one day, the hot new guy, Damen, sits next to Ever and she finds relief from the onslaught of thoughts. She is also unable to hear Damen's thoughts or see his aura. Gradually, Ever realizes that Damen is not a normal human either. As she falls for Damen, Ever finds herself in danger as someone else also wants him, and this girl will stop at nothing to claim the guy she believes is destined to be hers- even if it means killing Ever. Talk about crazy stalkers!

In the beginning, this story seems like another Twilight wannabe- down to how Ever and Damen meet in science class. However, after a few chapters, it develops into its own story line. To explain how the story is different would give away one of the surprises of the novel so you'll have to read it for yourself. It does stand out from all the other vampire and supernatural books that have inundated bookshelves in the past couple years. It is an addictive read and will have you staying up late to read "just one more chapter."

Book; 13+; ISBN 978-0312532758; New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2009.