Book Description
for The Top of the World by Steve Jenkins
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Dramatic cut-paper collage illustrates this fact-filled book about climbing Mt. Everest. Jenkins describes the mountain’s geography and its ever-changing terrain as he takes readers on an expedition to the summit. Each single- or two-page spread of information features the short main narrative describing aspects of the ascent, such as the role of the Sherpas, crossing the icefall, and the danger of avalanche and high winds, along with related facts that appear on the pages in separate blocks of text. One two-page spread is devoted to a description of much of the equipment that climbers require. The collage artwork depicting aspects of the climb provides the backdrop for text, making this a highly visual book great for reluctant readers or for any child who enjoys exploring a subject visually. (Ages 9-12)
CCBC Choices 2000. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2000. Used with permission.