Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Silver Falls Library | JP BECKER | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
When he spies the BIG hill--make that a mountain!--in his neighborhood park, Maxwell is determined to climb all the way to the top. He has everything a true outdoorsman needs: climbing gear, a map, a first-aid kit, water, snacks, and his trusty toy soldier, Harry, by his side. But when Maxwell loses the trail, he must rely on his smarts to get back on track.
Author Notes
Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Shari Becker attended Concordia University's well-regarded communications program. After graduation, she worked at a small film and television production company, but yearned to work in children's T.V. So she moved to New York City in 1995 to pursue a Master of Arts in Children's Media at New York University.
She worked at Nickelodeon as an Associate Producer after completing her degree and has written for kids and parents online, on-air and in print.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-An adventurous boy investigates a new park in town and finds the usual slide, swing set, and sandbox but is excited to discover there is also a "mountain" to climb. After Maxwell states his intent to conquer the rock-covered hill, his father explains that he must first become a "great outdoorsman." Following a trip to the library, the resourceful child reads and makes a list of what he must do to get ready for his climb. The big day finally arrives and Maxwell, his parents, and his trusty toy soldier arrive at the park. The young explorer, who appears to be about seven or eight, follows the yellow dots marking the trail, which begins on a gravel path and gradually moves upward into boulders. When Maxwell temporarily loses his way, he backtracks, finds the trail again, and successfully reaches the summit. Watercolor-and-ink illustrations, mainly in tan, yellow, and green, reveal a hill that appears larger in each successive picture. The child's parents are shown standing at the base of the hill, keeping a vigilant eye on their intrepid son. A final picture reveals a triumphant Maxwell sitting on an outcropping high above the rooftops: this will thrill children while making parents a bit queasy. The toy soldier that mimics the boy's every move adds a bit of whimsy to the tale. A good, solid story about making the necessary preparations for attempting to reach a goal and then achieving success.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Maxwell trains to be a ""true outdoorsman"" so that his parents will let him climb the ""mountain"" behind his neighborhood playground. Preparation, frustrations, and exhaustion end with his final triumph. Somewhat stiff watercolor and ink illustrations depict a hill just big enough for a child to be proud of climbing but small enough for parents to approve of. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Maxwell is disappointed by the predictability of the new park, but then he sees the mountain: "It was awesome. It was glorious. It was big." Maxwell is inextricably drawn to climbing it, though Mom won't allow it. At dinner, Maxwell channels Close Encounters of the Third kind as he builds a mountain of mashed potatoes. His parents tell him that one must be a great outdoorsman to achieve such an ascent. With resolve, Maxwell reads up, draws a map and packs supplies, first aid and food. Seeing Maxwell's eagerness, his parents finally consent. Tackling the mountain at last, Maxwell follows the yellow dots, apparently left by others, that mark a trail, while his parents wait below. At first it's easy, but gradually the climb becomes steeper and the pebbles graduate to boulders. Obstacles abound, but the final spread shows the splendid view of Maxwell's triumph. Wong's illustrations are elegant, accentuated by hues of mild greens, yellows and blues. This mini-adventure is an absorbing story of determination and a boy's growing independence. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Gr. 2-4. Spotting a large, tempting hill behind the playground near his new house, Maxwell employs systematic preparation to dispel his parents' conviction that he's too little to tackle the hill. After training on the stairs, gathering first-aid and food supplies, mapping his course, and listening to parental advice (if he gets into trouble, a true outdoorsman uses his head ), Maxwell takes on the rocky slope--accompanied by an intrepid-looking toy soldier named Harry. Maxwell copes with boulders and even with temporarily losing his way, until he ultimately reaches the top and discovers a splendid view of his neighborhood and the city beyond. Wong's fine-lined, softly textured watercolor illustrations hint that Maxwell may be partly of Asian descent, but children are more likely to notice the quiet determination with which Maxwell faces each obstacle and the well-earned triumph he experiences upon reaching his goal. --John Peters Copyright 2006 Booklist