School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Left on her own for a weekend, Cat, a precocious 13-year-old, finds herself drawn into a life-threatening adventure by her hyperactive cousin, Ty. Their eminent mountain-climbing fathers died during an expedition; now, Ty insists on scattering their ashes on the same mountain. Despite her protests, Ty begins his journey and Cat reluctantly takes the same harrowing steps to save not only him, but her beloved dog. These intrepid climbers face an avalanche, broken limbs, and snowstorms. Every incident comes to a neat conclusion, thus limiting tension that could prolong suspense. Vocabulary is mundane, dialogue is colloquial and fast-paced, and the story moves rapidly from scene to scene. The characters are never fully developed so they sound whiny and act foolishly rather than scared and emotionally conflicted. Mountain-climbing references abound, including how-to descriptions, serious climbing magazines, and survival details, making the book interesting on a technical level.-Tina Hudak, St. Albans School, Washington, DC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Setting better judgment aside, thirteen-year-old Cat climbs treacherous Storm Mountain with her cousin Ty to scatter the ashes of their fathers, respected climbers who died ascending the same mountain two years earlier. Avalanches, snowstorms, and injuries ensue, yet, improbably, all ends well. The story clips along, but it's hard to believe in the characters and the foolish risks they take. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
When Cat's cousin Ty steals her father's ashes and heads up Storm Mountain, Cat takes off after him, setting up a fast-paced adventure in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. Their fathers were twin brothersboth world-famous mountain climberswho died on that mountain two years ago, and Ty wants to scatter their ashes as a remembrance. However, a lot stands in his way: the angry Cat, an avalanche, a fall into a crevasse and dog farts in a snow cave. The dialogue is occasionally regrettably expository"That storm raged for nearly a week," Cat informs her cousin. "Helicopters were grounded, rescuers pushed back. Even though our dads dug a snow cave on a ledge, by the time the weather finally cleared...it was too late"but Birdseye's prose, full of careening action, melodrama and overwrought similes, reflects Ty's bulldozing personality. Add believable characters, the author's mountain-climbing expertise and a tear-jerking conclusion, and there's plenty here for young adventure enthusiasts, especially reluctant readers who prefer brief novels with simple, action-packed plots that can be read in one big satisfying gulp. (Adventure. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Cat lives in the shadow of the mountain that killed her dad, a famous mountain climber and rescuer. She also lives in the shadow of her father's climbing legend. Cat has studied his journals and maps and repacked his climbing backpack numerous times. Now, her cousin Ty has arrived at the base of the mountain with a crazy plan to climb the mountain and scatter the ashes of both Cat's father as well as Ty's uncle, who also died on Storm Mountain. When Cat refuses to accompany him, Ty steals her dad's remains and sets out to climb the mountain by himself. Cat is forced to follow, and soon both teens are trapped on the mountain in a storm. This is a fast-paced survival story, heavy on action and climbing details but relatively light on substance. Ty's impulsiveness might irritate some readers, but it's hard not to root for Cat to save the day.--Yusko, Shauna Copyright 2010 Booklist