Peak Survival. (Take it to the Extreme). Pam Withers. North Vancouver, BC: Walrus Books/Whitecap Books, 2004. 155 pp., pbk., $8.95. ISBN 1-55285-530-9. Subject Headings: Skis and skiing-Juvenile fiction. Snowboarding-Juvenile fiction. Grades 8-12 / Ages 13-17. Review by Linda Ludke. *** /4

excerpt:

At first, Jake assumed it was a thunderclap; then he wondered if it was another helicopter crash. But before he could ponder further, the world gave way beneath him. He felt himself falling down a chute, like the "black hole" tube at his favorite waterslide park, except that instead of a wet thrill, it offered cold terror. He felt helpless to fight the plunge, but from somewhere deep within his instincts came an order to "swim." He tried the front crawl. No good. His nostrils were filling with snow, and a panic to breathe gripped him. He switched to breaststroke, knowing it wasn't going to save him from this avalanche, but it was something to do as the snow swept him to death.

Peak Survival is the second action adventure title in the "Take it to the Extreme" series. Jake, Peter and Moses are 15-year old junior snowboard and skiing guides with Sam's Adventure Tours. An overnight training trip in a remote area of Mt. Currie, British Columbia, becomes a test of their survival skills. A sudden storm strands the teenagers on a mountaintop. While deciding their next actions, the trio witness a helicopter crash. They find the pilot and guide dead but rescue a young woman from the wreckage. Fiona is a world class snowboarder who quickly recovers from her own trauma and comes to the aid of Jake, who, in a split second, is engulfed in an avalanche. Moving from one disaster to another, the group rallies together to fend off hypothermia, hunger and the threat of wolverines. Relying on each other's strengths, they eventually reach town after being stranded for six days.

     While the fast paced plot is the focus, there is some character development. Peter moves from being egotistical and impulsive to understanding that leadership means more than showing off. Practical, cautious Jake reveals the source of his insecurities. Moses reflects on his Dene culture and speaks about his father's childhood in a residential school.

     Author Pam Withers has researched the sport and pays close attention to detail. Many survival tips are woven into the narrative: "Don't eat snow, it lowers your body temperature"; "turn on your transmitter, these are beacons that help us locate each other in an avalanche." The adrenaline rush excitement of heli snowboarding is captured in descriptions of aerial stunts and the thrill of "putting tracks in fresh powder."

     This action packed, straight forward novel will appeal to reluctant teen readers.

Recommended.

Linda Ludke is a librarian in London, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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