Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

Gr 5-8--Climbers and adventure seekers have been unable to resist the allure of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. Everest, equal to the height of 20 stacked Empire State Buildings, had posed a challenge to numerous European expeditions. Many treks resulted in failure and death. Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper, and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali Indian Sherpa and yak herder, successfully climbed the mountain in 1952 with the aid of hundreds of others. Using colorful and informative illustrations, the narrative relays the life stories of both men. They were brought together by their obsession to conquer the summit of Everest. Stories of previous attempts to reach the top of the mountain are also shown; reasons for their failure are explained. The political and social changes that occurred after World War II made scaling the mountain more manageable and aided technical advances in equipment and planning. Information about the expedition and Everest is accessible and heightened by lively language. Readers will gain an understanding of the great team effort behind the accomplishment. Hillary is usually hailed as the conqueror of Everest, but Stewart gives well-deserved credit to Norgay and the lesser-known mountaineers or climbers who have been forgotten. VERDICT An interesting and beautiful work giving credit to both Hillary and Norgay for the great feat of being the first to ascend Mount Everest.--Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, NY