Blind Mountain

By Jane Resh Thomas

Twelve-year-old Sam Flynn would rather be anywhere than high up in the Rockies, trying to get up the courage to leap across a dangerous crevice. His father's taunts aren't helping, but Sam is used to them. His dad has been putting him down ever since Sam took up the guitar and started spending most of his free time with the band instead of coming along on hikes. Sam finally overcomes his fear, jumps the crevice, and rejoins his father. But it isn't long before a careless move on the boy's part injures his father and puts them both in danger. With help far away, father and son will have to depend on Sam's skill and knowledge to get them down the mountain. Night is falling fast, and their food and water are in short supply. As if that weren't bad enough, Sam has a bad feeling they're not alone. By turns suspenseful and poignant, Blind Mountain is a gripping story of survival. It will appeal to all readers who enjoy a blend of well-developed characters and nail-biting action.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618648720
• ISBN13: 9780618648726
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.2"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

perfect book for boys

This is a tightly written, suspenseful story of a boy's courage set against a father and son conflict. In many ways, this book is a timeless story, but it still surprises the reader. It's ideal for middle-grade boys who don't want to read a long book.

Compassionate, moving and unusual story

Jane Resh Thomas's book is a compelling adventure where the son must take the lead in a dangerous situation. There is gripping suspense and action. But unlike many action/adventure stories this one makes it real by including the emotions that come with a life or death experience: the son's feelings of being on his own while he helps them survive the wilderness coming together with his feelings about his own self worth and his relationship to his Father. The biggest surprise is the way she handles their response to the wilderness around them. While she is never sappy or sweet, her characters nonetheless show their love of the wild and the animals in it, even when they must kill to survive. There are far too many stories that prefer to show the macho or adventure in killing without the real life fear or sadness that ultimately comes with it. Its a worthwhile read on all counts.

Taut, compact adventure

Blind Mountain is a tightly woven story of father-son conflict. Issues of individuality, personal strength, competence and respect are played out against the backdrop of a mountain hike. The wilderness becomes a character in itself, accurately portrayed and never overplayed. The book is a good fast read with a satisfying punch.