High As A Hawk
PreSchool-Grade 3-In 1905, eight-year-old Harriet Peters became the youngest climber ever to reach the summit of Longs Peak in Colorado. Guided by Enos Mills, the man later responsible for the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park, spunky Harriet braved the elements to reach the top of the mountain, spurred on by the memory of her mother who died before realizing her dream of completing the climb. This poignant tale, based on a true story, is retold in lyrical language and accompanied by dazzling watercolors. Known for his realistic landscapes, Lewin does an excellent job of depicting the child's struggle against nature. The climb begins before dawn; the accompanying illustrations reveal a deep blue forest lit with touches of orange on the riders' faces and horses' manes, reflecting the rising sun. After daybreak, the paintings change from the warm, clear light of sun-dappled meadows to the cool, icy blue of a sudden snowstorm as the party ascends the mountain. Throughout, luminous highlights mold the characters' faces in a chiaroscuro reminiscent of the work of Caravaggio. To round out the tale, Barron's endnotes identify his primary sources and include a photo of Peters taken the day of the climb, revealing Lewin's faithful reproduction of her costume. With its dramatic artwork, this gripping saga is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.