MIDDLE GRADE NARRATIVE NONFICTION : Into the Clouds by Tod Olson
ABOUT THE BOOK
A tale of survival and brotherhood atop one of the deadliest mountains on Earth.
This
fast-paced, three-part narrative takes readers on three expeditions
over 15 years to K2, one of the deadliest mountains on Earth. Roped
together, these teams of men face perilously high altitudes and
battering storms in hopes of reaching the summit. As each expedition
sets out, they carve new paths along icy slopes and unforgiving rock,
creating camps on ledges so narrow they fear turning over in their
sleep.
But disaster strikes -- in 1939, four men never make it down the mountain. Fourteen years later, a man develops blood clots in his legs at 25,000 feet, leaving his team with no safe path off the mountain. Into the Clouds tells the stories of the men whose quest to conquer a mountain became a battle to survive the descent.
But disaster strikes -- in 1939, four men never make it down the mountain. Fourteen years later, a man develops blood clots in his legs at 25,000 feet, leaving his team with no safe path off the mountain. Into the Clouds tells the stories of the men whose quest to conquer a mountain became a battle to survive the descent.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tod
Olson is the author of the narrative nonfiction series, LOST, and the
historical fiction series How to Get Rich. He has written for national
magazines on the Columbine school shooting, homeless teens, the murder
of Matthew Shepard, and many other stories of interest to children and
young adults. Tod holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and
lives in Vermont with his family, his mountain bike, and his electric
reclining chair. To learn more, and to download free teaching resources,
visit his website: todolson.com.
Praise for Into the Clouds:
“Gripping, well-researched, superb entertainment.” —Kirkus Reviews
★“An absolute must-have for all readers looking for well-researched and gripping adventure nonfiction.”
—School Library Journal (starred review)
REVIEW
Tod Olson really knows how to tell a story. Writing fiction can be challenging enough, with characters to develop, settings to keep track of, and plots to plot. But narrative nonfiction requires the same skills combined with facts and research. Into the Clouds tells the story of three expeditions undertaken with the goal of reaching the summit of K2, one of the tallest mountains in the world. Considered to be even harder to climb than Mount Everest, efforts to climb K2 have led to incredible suffering and even death for those who have attempted it. This book highlights three specific expeditions. Two of those expeditions were led by Charlie Houston, in 1938 and 1953. The second expedition was lead by Fritz Wiessner.
The book is divided into three parts. Each section highlights the events of one of these expeditions. Sadly, none of these expeditions succeeded in reaching the summit. But the stories of the incredible effort made are fascinating and mind-boggling. It's astounding the price some people are willing to pay to accomplish a goal. It was especially interesting to compare the three expeditions. Houston's leadership put the needs of the team first. Both expeditions turned around when the needs of the team required it. Even then the results were devastating. But Wiessner's team fell apart almost immediately leading to the deaths of four members of the expedition. Climbing a mountain with unpredictable weather, nightmarish terrain, and avalanche danger around every turn means you are literally putting your life on the line. And yet for the men on these expeditions it was worth the gamble, at least at first. Some of them came to regret their presence on the mountain, but by then it was too late.
Olson tells a compelling tale of sacrifice and survival that leaves one wondering about the drive that leads people to take such risks.
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