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Death Mountain
An afternoon hike in the Sierra Mountains turns into a struggle for survival when two teenage girls become hopelessly lost in an electrical storm and must rely on their own wits and strength to endure.
Almost a year ago, Erin’s mother Lannie suddenly left home without any explanation. Now Lannie wants to see her, but Erin feels miserable and unsure about seeing her mother again.
After “losing” her bus ticket on the way to visit her mother, Erin hitches a ride with Mae and her older brother, Levi. Along the way, she joins the two siblings for a hike along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. When a deadly storm suddenly descends upon the mountain and lightning strikes, everyone on the crowded trails scrambles for safety and Erin and Mae become separated from the others. As the days pass, the two stranded and lost girls must rely on their own determination and skills, as well as each other, to survive.
Author Sherry Shahan’s dramatic story displays perceptive insights into the conflicted hearts and minds of teenagers, as well as a thorough understanding of the natural world and technical details of mountaineering. An afterword includes details of Shahan’s own harrowing alpine adventure that inspired the novel.
Almost a year ago, Erin’s mother Lannie suddenly left home without any explanation. Now Lannie wants to see her, but Erin feels miserable and unsure about seeing her mother again.
After “losing” her bus ticket on the way to visit her mother, Erin hitches a ride with Mae and her older brother, Levi. Along the way, she joins the two siblings for a hike along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. When a deadly storm suddenly descends upon the mountain and lightning strikes, everyone on the crowded trails scrambles for safety and Erin and Mae become separated from the others. As the days pass, the two stranded and lost girls must rely on their own determination and skills, as well as each other, to survive.
Author Sherry Shahan’s dramatic story displays perceptive insights into the conflicted hearts and minds of teenagers, as well as a thorough understanding of the natural world and technical details of mountaineering. An afterword includes details of Shahan’s own harrowing alpine adventure that inspired the novel.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2005
17 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Sherry Shahan
50 books15 followersSherry Shahan is a photographer and an author. She enjoys watching, photographing, and writing about the otters that play in the sea near her home in California. Sherry also wrote and photographed The Changing Caterpillar for Richard C. Owen Publishers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 6, 2015
Many people including myself love survival stories, whether they be fantastic or realistic. Death Mountain by Sherry Shahan is included in the list of books I enjoy. This book is not what I expected upon first opening it, especially because of what the back cover read. I expected a more fantastic story based on the word choice used, I was inevitably wrong, but not disappointed in it’s content. Death Mountain kept me hooked with the characters Erin and Mae trapped together in the woods, the sub-plot of Erin’s mom finally contacting her after 11 months, and Mae’s all around character development. It took all these girls had to get them off the mountain safely, and it was not an easy journey.
Erin was walking down the side of the highway, her bus ticket had been stolen, and she had to hitchhike to the nearest gas station. There, she met Mae, an average girl that was going up the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range to go swimming, and was willing to let Erin tag along. During their hike up the mountain, a freak storm hit that completely scattered the group they were hiking with. Mae ran away in confusion, and Erin ran after her. Once the storm is over, and Erin finds Mae, where they are several hours, and many miles away from the nearest trail, from the nearest sign of human civilization. It would take about six days from that point on, from hiking, all the way to scaling a vertical rock wall. Mae had no idea what she was doing, and Erin had only brief knowledge due to trips with her grandmother. They had water from iodine tablets that Erin had packed, but no other luxuries, only by the skin of their teeth would they survive.
It didn’t help that Erin’s mother had disappeared all of a sudden, and only contacted the family eleven months later. Erin’s mom, who Erin didn’t consider her mom, and only refers to her by her first name “Lannie,” decided to have Erin come to where she was. Erin was to go to her by bus, but as fate would have it, the ticket was stolen. Throughout Erin and Mae’s adventure, thoughts of Lannie filled Erin’s head, sometimes even leading her to completely stop for a few moments before Mae snapped her back to reality. Erin knew that her grandmother would be worried about her, and with less worry in Erin’s mind, so would her mother.
Erin was grateful to have Mae with her though, even if she had no idea what she was doing. Considering the circumstances they were in, Erin at least wanted some company, even if she didn’t like dragging someone else into that mess. Mae was a girl that didn’t have the slightest idea how to survive in nature, but with Erin’s help, and time to adjust, Mae turned out to be stronger than Erin herself. Mae kept Erin from giving up when she was thinking about her mother. Even though she didn’t like her, Erin’s mother was still her mother, so she loved and cared for regardless.
It can be hard to live in the woods for just short of a week, but luckily Erin wasn’t alone. If she was, it would have been much harder to survive. With a friend by your side, things get easier. I enjoyed this book very much, it showed how someone with many things wrong in their life could pull through with people to support them. Whether it be stuck in the woods, dealing with the fact that your mother is finally coming back to you, or just seeing your friend mature in a tough time. I mostly enjoyed seeing the Erin and Mae bond, they had almost a day to get to know each other, and suddenly, they were surviving in the woods together for six days.
Erin was walking down the side of the highway, her bus ticket had been stolen, and she had to hitchhike to the nearest gas station. There, she met Mae, an average girl that was going up the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range to go swimming, and was willing to let Erin tag along. During their hike up the mountain, a freak storm hit that completely scattered the group they were hiking with. Mae ran away in confusion, and Erin ran after her. Once the storm is over, and Erin finds Mae, where they are several hours, and many miles away from the nearest trail, from the nearest sign of human civilization. It would take about six days from that point on, from hiking, all the way to scaling a vertical rock wall. Mae had no idea what she was doing, and Erin had only brief knowledge due to trips with her grandmother. They had water from iodine tablets that Erin had packed, but no other luxuries, only by the skin of their teeth would they survive.
It didn’t help that Erin’s mother had disappeared all of a sudden, and only contacted the family eleven months later. Erin’s mom, who Erin didn’t consider her mom, and only refers to her by her first name “Lannie,” decided to have Erin come to where she was. Erin was to go to her by bus, but as fate would have it, the ticket was stolen. Throughout Erin and Mae’s adventure, thoughts of Lannie filled Erin’s head, sometimes even leading her to completely stop for a few moments before Mae snapped her back to reality. Erin knew that her grandmother would be worried about her, and with less worry in Erin’s mind, so would her mother.
Erin was grateful to have Mae with her though, even if she had no idea what she was doing. Considering the circumstances they were in, Erin at least wanted some company, even if she didn’t like dragging someone else into that mess. Mae was a girl that didn’t have the slightest idea how to survive in nature, but with Erin’s help, and time to adjust, Mae turned out to be stronger than Erin herself. Mae kept Erin from giving up when she was thinking about her mother. Even though she didn’t like her, Erin’s mother was still her mother, so she loved and cared for regardless.
It can be hard to live in the woods for just short of a week, but luckily Erin wasn’t alone. If she was, it would have been much harder to survive. With a friend by your side, things get easier. I enjoyed this book very much, it showed how someone with many things wrong in their life could pull through with people to support them. Whether it be stuck in the woods, dealing with the fact that your mother is finally coming back to you, or just seeing your friend mature in a tough time. I mostly enjoyed seeing the Erin and Mae bond, they had almost a day to get to know each other, and suddenly, they were surviving in the woods together for six days.
July 29, 2011
Erin's mother has called because she wants to see her daughter after leaving her the year before. Erin is still upset with her mother for leaving and doesn't want to see her, so manages to get stranded halfway between her grandmother's house and California where her mother is. While hitchhiking along, she gets picked up by Mae and her brother, who are going swimming in a lake on the mountain. While they're hiking up there, a freak storm causes the girls to get separated from everyone else and lost in the mountains. Now they have to figure out a way to survive and find their way down the mountain or to a rescue party.
What happens between Erin and her mother? Why did her mother leave? These and many other questions are left gapingly open. Erin at times reads 7 years old, and at others 17. Storytelling is inconsistent and characters are not terribly relatable.
What happens between Erin and her mother? Why did her mother leave? These and many other questions are left gapingly open. Erin at times reads 7 years old, and at others 17. Storytelling is inconsistent and characters are not terribly relatable.
September 14, 2013
This young adult novel is a winner. Erin’s mom, gone a year, urges her to visit. A series of mistakes lands Erin in the Sierras with two other teens. When a storm hits, Erin and Mae get separated from the others, are lost and have to survive. Shahan squeezes geographic details and survival tips into a fast paced, tense story via Erin’s internals, dialogue and narrative. And there is never a sense of what writers refer to as “reader feeder,” the clunky delivery of information about background, location or perspective. It's a strong read.
October 12, 2020
Good book, but there were a few things that didn't wrap up right for me......why bring those two men in.....why was the search area so far when they knew what direction they went and and given the number of hours you can walk in one day...shouldn't have been that far off. I
January 27, 2015
Why do I have to read this?
January 30, 2018
I think I have preferred other stories of survival like Hatchet or Louis L'Amour.
November 6, 2024
This book begins with Erin hitchhiking while she is hitching a man asks if she needs a ride but he seems weird so she declines then he gets mad at her and tries to follow her insisting that he give her a ride but she goes to a nearby store and cools off. When she gets home her grandma tells her that her mom wants to tell Erin something and that she needs to go to visit the hospital but when she rides the bus to a stop her ticket is stolen and needs to hitchhike again. A sweet girl named Mae and her brother Levi ask if she needs a ride and she accepts their offer. The two siblings go to a lake in some mountains and ask if Erin wants to come and she happily agrees to come with them. When they hike up the mountain they are met with a cowboy and his dog. The man tells them that there was a ranger that went missing and he is on his way to look for him. While they were all talking there was a group of Boy Scouts that were camping in the mountains and then it started to rain. The rain becomes very heavy almost like hail and then it starts to storm. Lightning was cracking everywhere and they were all scared. A bolt strikes a tree and lands on the mule and cowboy. Mae gets scared so she runs away but while Erin and Levi try to get her Levi sprains his ankle and tells Erin to chase after her. Erin chases after her for a while and when they are together, Mae asks if all the other people are ok she is not happy with the answer and gets mad at Erin. They build a shelter and for a few days, they get really close but very hungry. They try to gather food and while they are sitting at their campsite near the river, Sequoia gives them a spook and runs out of the bushes and they keep him with them. They start hiking again because Sequoia is trying to lead them somewhere so they follow and they get led to the dead ranger. After they encounter him they continue to hike and are met with two hikers. They pass the hikers and get to the parking lot where they call their parents. Erin's grandma picked them up and they got to Erin's house and rest but the girls ended up sleeping outside on the porch. Erin reads a letter her mom sent her and it says” This is your song…”.
I don't like how the book ended because there's not much detail on what happens after. I would want to know what happens when Erin sees her mom and what happens when they meet. I feel like the book is incomplete without a proper ending and I don’t like that about the book but it was good. One of the quotes that I liked is “ The more I eat, the hungrier I get’.” I think this is meaningful because It's telling us how much they didn’t eat while they were. It also tells us that her stomach has shrunk a lot and she needs to eat.
In my opinion, I liked this book a lot and I liked how it was very interesting with a lot of different emotions put into the reader's mind while reading. I don't like how it didn't tell us what happened after they made it home safely and what they did after. I think people who like adventure would like this book. Also, I think people who like suspenseful books or movies would like this book a lot. So I would say that this book is very good and I recommend you to read it.
I don't like how the book ended because there's not much detail on what happens after. I would want to know what happens when Erin sees her mom and what happens when they meet. I feel like the book is incomplete without a proper ending and I don’t like that about the book but it was good. One of the quotes that I liked is “ The more I eat, the hungrier I get’.” I think this is meaningful because It's telling us how much they didn’t eat while they were. It also tells us that her stomach has shrunk a lot and she needs to eat.
In my opinion, I liked this book a lot and I liked how it was very interesting with a lot of different emotions put into the reader's mind while reading. I don't like how it didn't tell us what happened after they made it home safely and what they did after. I think people who like adventure would like this book. Also, I think people who like suspenseful books or movies would like this book a lot. So I would say that this book is very good and I recommend you to read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2022
The title of my book is Death Mountain. The author of Death Mountain is Sherry Shahan. The setting is in the Sierra Mountains in Nevada. The main characters are Erin and Mae. Erin knows everything about the wilderness and always goes on hikes. Mae is the pretty girl who just acts on emotion and nothing else. I found this book just by looking around in the fiction section of the library. I was looking and saw a book named Death Mountain. I was already checking the book by the time I read Death. I made sure it had 200 or more pages and grabbed it.
The book started with a bus stopping for gas and people using the bathroom. Erin was using the bathroom and someone stole her ticket. She started to walk down the road and someone stopped. It was a guy in his early adult years and a girl about Erin’s age. Erin hopped in and they drove to a hiking spot that went to a lake they were going to swim at. They reached a peak and then all of a sudden a storm came tumbling toward them. They tried running away but the path they took was flooded by the pouring rain. They were stuck and the lightning was ready to strike them. After the storm, everyone was lost Erin looked around for Mae and her brother Levi. Erin followed a trail Mae left behind and found her after a while. The girl stayed the night there and planned to leave the next day. On their way to leave the girls ran into multiple problems. They eventually found a cave and entered. Inside was a missing ranger's body and he had many supplies so the girls could continue to survive. They had to climb a huge ridge without any safety equipment. Soon after they climbed the ridge they ran into people on the trail but for some reason, they lied about who they are. They found a camp soon after and used a pay phone to try and call Erin’s grandma. They were safe and fed very well afterward. Mae called her mom at Erin’s house and was soon picked up.
The book ends with Erin making a song dedicated to her mom. She had brought up the fact that she wanted to make a song when she got home. Erin thought all about, her mom, Lannie. She came up with a song that shows her emotions with her mom and the lessons she learned while out in the mountains. Although the author didn’t tell us the song I got to read one line. My favorite part of the book was when the girls were climbing up the cliff. It was very intense and made me feel scared for the girls.
My personal opinion on this book is it was a really good book. I enjoyed all the ups and downs that the girls went through. There were some parts in the book that weren’t that interesting. I really did enjoy the book. I haven’t read any books like this so I plan on getting more books like this in the future. I suggest this book to any civilized kids that got protected most of their lives.
The book started with a bus stopping for gas and people using the bathroom. Erin was using the bathroom and someone stole her ticket. She started to walk down the road and someone stopped. It was a guy in his early adult years and a girl about Erin’s age. Erin hopped in and they drove to a hiking spot that went to a lake they were going to swim at. They reached a peak and then all of a sudden a storm came tumbling toward them. They tried running away but the path they took was flooded by the pouring rain. They were stuck and the lightning was ready to strike them. After the storm, everyone was lost Erin looked around for Mae and her brother Levi. Erin followed a trail Mae left behind and found her after a while. The girl stayed the night there and planned to leave the next day. On their way to leave the girls ran into multiple problems. They eventually found a cave and entered. Inside was a missing ranger's body and he had many supplies so the girls could continue to survive. They had to climb a huge ridge without any safety equipment. Soon after they climbed the ridge they ran into people on the trail but for some reason, they lied about who they are. They found a camp soon after and used a pay phone to try and call Erin’s grandma. They were safe and fed very well afterward. Mae called her mom at Erin’s house and was soon picked up.
The book ends with Erin making a song dedicated to her mom. She had brought up the fact that she wanted to make a song when she got home. Erin thought all about, her mom, Lannie. She came up with a song that shows her emotions with her mom and the lessons she learned while out in the mountains. Although the author didn’t tell us the song I got to read one line. My favorite part of the book was when the girls were climbing up the cliff. It was very intense and made me feel scared for the girls.
My personal opinion on this book is it was a really good book. I enjoyed all the ups and downs that the girls went through. There were some parts in the book that weren’t that interesting. I really did enjoy the book. I haven’t read any books like this so I plan on getting more books like this in the future. I suggest this book to any civilized kids that got protected most of their lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2018
The main thing that happens is a girl named earan loses her bus tickets and hitches a ride with a girl named Mae and her brother Levi. While they are going on their drive they decide to go hikeing in the sierra Nevada's and get stuck in a thunder storm.
Cause: Mae runs away during the storm. Effect: earan runs after her and by the time that she finds her it is to dark to go back to the group.
Cause: Earan decides to hitchhike with Mae and Levi. Effect: She gets lost in the sierra Nevada mountains.
I really loved this book and how it was so realistic, i also loved how easy it was to get through, It was a little to easy but I loved it all the same.
Cause: Mae runs away during the storm. Effect: earan runs after her and by the time that she finds her it is to dark to go back to the group.
Cause: Earan decides to hitchhike with Mae and Levi. Effect: She gets lost in the sierra Nevada mountains.
I really loved this book and how it was so realistic, i also loved how easy it was to get through, It was a little to easy but I loved it all the same.
February 26, 2018
Two girls relying on each other for survival after getting caught in a storm, then getting lost in the mountains. Most of the "adventurous survival" type books I've read have been about boys, so it was interesting to read from a girls perspective.
October 26, 2017
Very good book very descriptive
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July 4, 2020I absolutely adore this book! It's my favorite! I often find myself rereading it on quiet days when I need to pass the time.
November 13, 2020
More like 3.5
December 1, 2020
Loved the wilderness survival aspect of it and the growth of the characters. Overall a good read
March 23, 2021
Nice quick read, however the stakes never felt that high.
February 13, 2024
Its a book written for young adults. Its a good survival book, I feel like the back story could use a little work though.
January 9, 2014
I gave Death Mountain three out of five stars because it's a okay book. I think Sherry Shahan could have put more obstacles in it.
The character Erin is a country girl. After her mom left her and her dad they moved to her Grandma's house. There she has no electronics so she spends most of her time reading or writing songs. Mae is the total opposite of Erin. Mae lives with both of her parents. They have a nice house and two nice cars.
The setting is mostly at Horseshoe Meadow Campgrounds. Other parts of the book took place on the road and at Erin's Grandma's house.
This book is about Erin going to see her mother who left her and her dad about two years ago. Erin receives a letter from her mother explaining why she left and where she was. Erin went out to find her with a bus ticket and some clothes. While she visited the restroom she left her ticket on top of her belongings and when she steps out of the stall the ticket is gone. Erin had nowhere to go, so she set off walking. A car pulls over to her and it was Mae and her brother. Erin had never met them before. Erin thought they seemed nice so she climbed in. They were headed to the campgrounds. All Erin was worried about was her Grandmother worry about her. When they arrived at the campground they settled in then went for a hike with a Boy Scout group. When they were far into the woods a storm came about. It was terrible. Mae went running about so Erin followed her. When the storm stopped neither of them knew where they were. So they set off to seek the campground.
The conflict is that nothing would go there way when they were trying to get out of the forest. They tried there hardest to get out. And did they succeed or did they fail? The resolution is they get out of the woods and they try to go back to their normal lives but it feels strange for them.
The character Erin is a country girl. After her mom left her and her dad they moved to her Grandma's house. There she has no electronics so she spends most of her time reading or writing songs. Mae is the total opposite of Erin. Mae lives with both of her parents. They have a nice house and two nice cars.
The setting is mostly at Horseshoe Meadow Campgrounds. Other parts of the book took place on the road and at Erin's Grandma's house.
This book is about Erin going to see her mother who left her and her dad about two years ago. Erin receives a letter from her mother explaining why she left and where she was. Erin went out to find her with a bus ticket and some clothes. While she visited the restroom she left her ticket on top of her belongings and when she steps out of the stall the ticket is gone. Erin had nowhere to go, so she set off walking. A car pulls over to her and it was Mae and her brother. Erin had never met them before. Erin thought they seemed nice so she climbed in. They were headed to the campgrounds. All Erin was worried about was her Grandmother worry about her. When they arrived at the campground they settled in then went for a hike with a Boy Scout group. When they were far into the woods a storm came about. It was terrible. Mae went running about so Erin followed her. When the storm stopped neither of them knew where they were. So they set off to seek the campground.
The conflict is that nothing would go there way when they were trying to get out of the forest. They tried there hardest to get out. And did they succeed or did they fail? The resolution is they get out of the woods and they try to go back to their normal lives but it feels strange for them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2021
Death Mountain in general is a good book, but I think it could have been better in some aspects.
So the whole book is about Erin, whose mom left about a year ago, going to visit her mom. On the way there she meets Mae and the two of them go hiking and get lost.
this contains some spoilers.
Here are some things that I think are lacking in the book:
-What exactly happened to Erin's mom? In the end Grandma tells Erin that her mom was sick and left because of that, and she spent the whole year in the hospital but now is stable. That didn't really satisfy my curiosity. What exactly means that she is sick? Being sick is no reason to leave her family. Also, just before the mom getting sick Erin talks about Lannie, her mom, getting a lot of money out of nowhere. Buying expensive stuff and sports cars and all that. The book never explains that either.
-I think the book goes kinda slow. I mean yeah they are in a mountain and all that, and they almost die multiple times. But for some reason I didn't really like the things rolled, it felt kinda slow. For example, when Mae and Erin finally get to the trail and find people after 5 days by themselves. They lie saying that they are alright and don't need help or anything. WHAT??? Erin has a terrible blister, they both have dirty clothes, and they have been living on minimal food, how are they ok?? And I think that the two hikers they met probably had a cell phone or something? I don't understand why the two girls lied.
Even though all that, it's a good book. It is quite enjoyable and Mae has a really good character development.
So the whole book is about Erin, whose mom left about a year ago, going to visit her mom. On the way there she meets Mae and the two of them go hiking and get lost.
this contains some spoilers.
Here are some things that I think are lacking in the book:
-What exactly happened to Erin's mom? In the end Grandma tells Erin that her mom was sick and left because of that, and she spent the whole year in the hospital but now is stable. That didn't really satisfy my curiosity. What exactly means that she is sick? Being sick is no reason to leave her family. Also, just before the mom getting sick Erin talks about Lannie, her mom, getting a lot of money out of nowhere. Buying expensive stuff and sports cars and all that. The book never explains that either.
-I think the book goes kinda slow. I mean yeah they are in a mountain and all that, and they almost die multiple times. But for some reason I didn't really like the things rolled, it felt kinda slow. For example, when Mae and Erin finally get to the trail and find people after 5 days by themselves. They lie saying that they are alright and don't need help or anything. WHAT??? Erin has a terrible blister, they both have dirty clothes, and they have been living on minimal food, how are they ok?? And I think that the two hikers they met probably had a cell phone or something? I don't understand why the two girls lied.
Even though all that, it's a good book. It is quite enjoyable and Mae has a really good character development.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2014
Death Mountain starts out as a girl lost in her own mind, not knowing what to do without any answers. Erin's mom left giving no explanations. One phone call to her grandmother's sent Erin on her way to visit her mother.
Along her way she loses her ticket, now with no way to get to her mom. Erin starts walking not knowing quite where she is going, when a van pulls up alongside her and offers her a ride. Erin meets a girl about the same age as her, this girls name is Mae, Mae isn't as tough as Erin is, she doesn't really know how to take care of herself, this becomes a problem for her later on.
Erin goes along with them to Horseshoe Meadows campground, they go for a hike in the mountains, when a lightning storm hits, terrified Mae darts down the mountain in the wrong direction. Erin sprints after her, hours had passed when she finally finds Mae.
Lost they use their only source of direction to find their way back, a map. What they don't know is the only way they are going to make it back is working together, and never giving up.
Along there journey they create a great friendship.Two girls that started out as strangers became sisters. Now they start a trip that will change their lives forever, but will they make it back alive?
I gave this book three stars because the beginning started out really slow but the whole time you are reading it you keep asking yourself one question and that question is, what happens next?
Along her way she loses her ticket, now with no way to get to her mom. Erin starts walking not knowing quite where she is going, when a van pulls up alongside her and offers her a ride. Erin meets a girl about the same age as her, this girls name is Mae, Mae isn't as tough as Erin is, she doesn't really know how to take care of herself, this becomes a problem for her later on.
Erin goes along with them to Horseshoe Meadows campground, they go for a hike in the mountains, when a lightning storm hits, terrified Mae darts down the mountain in the wrong direction. Erin sprints after her, hours had passed when she finally finds Mae.
Lost they use their only source of direction to find their way back, a map. What they don't know is the only way they are going to make it back is working together, and never giving up.
Along there journey they create a great friendship.Two girls that started out as strangers became sisters. Now they start a trip that will change their lives forever, but will they make it back alive?
I gave this book three stars because the beginning started out really slow but the whole time you are reading it you keep asking yourself one question and that question is, what happens next?
March 4, 2015
With a better cover and title, this book could sell a lot more, I bet. Really, it's the only realistic adventure novel I've read lately with female protagonists. And that's a great thing! Girls like to read Paulsen and Hobbs, too!
Erin is on her way to her mom's, but doesn't want to go. She's lived with her grandma for the past year (her dad is a famous photographer who travels the world) because her mom took off with no explanation. But now mom wants a visit from her teenage daughter. And so Erin isn't too upset when her bus ticket is stolen. She might as well hitch back, but finds herself going hiking with two new friends. Erin's backcountry skills come in handy when a freak thunderstorm separates the group and Erin and Mae must try to survive and find their way back to civilization. The descriptions of survival are awesome--the reader learns tons of valuable information about the Sierra Nevada mountains. I was a bit annoyed with the ending--wouldn't the girls rush to the nearest campfire to announce that they are found? But the School Library Journal reviewer was spot on--give this to fans of Paulsen and Hobbs.
Erin is on her way to her mom's, but doesn't want to go. She's lived with her grandma for the past year (her dad is a famous photographer who travels the world) because her mom took off with no explanation. But now mom wants a visit from her teenage daughter. And so Erin isn't too upset when her bus ticket is stolen. She might as well hitch back, but finds herself going hiking with two new friends. Erin's backcountry skills come in handy when a freak thunderstorm separates the group and Erin and Mae must try to survive and find their way back to civilization. The descriptions of survival are awesome--the reader learns tons of valuable information about the Sierra Nevada mountains. I was a bit annoyed with the ending--wouldn't the girls rush to the nearest campfire to announce that they are found? But the School Library Journal reviewer was spot on--give this to fans of Paulsen and Hobbs.
September 29, 2022
There is so much I could say about this book, but I will keep it short. I read this several years ago and I remember enjoying it, but this time I liked it so much more. The pacing of the book is absolutely perfect and really shows how much it took for Erin and Mae to make it through all the challenges Mother Nature/life had set upon them. Both girls had grown so much with their journey, it is hard to believe it was only six days. Six days of taking everything they had to survive. The plot and subplots were interesting and intense. Erin and Mae were very different people, but their subplots both showed a glimpse into their problems and though things were difficult they were able to help one another out. Overall it had an odd sense of comfort to it that I wasn’t expecting. Also, the little quotes at the beginning of each chapter was a nice touch and I really enjoyed them.
January 23, 2011
When the story starts Lannie has finally called and wants Erin to come visit her. Erin really doesn’t so when she misses a bus at the bus stop and has her ticket stolen, she starts back home by hitchhiking. Levi and Mae pick her up and are on their way up in to the Sierra Nevada Mountains for a swim in a lake in the wilderness at high altitude. Along with some other hikers they are caught in a lightning storm. Erin and Mae become separated from the rest and lost for 5 days in the mountains.
April 29, 2012
Erin is supposed to go see her mother who left so long ago on the bus. When she loses her ticket she hooks up with a brother and sister who are hiking to swim in the nearby mountains. Everyone over estimates the length of the trip and a terrible mountain storm happens injuring and separating the group. Erin and Mae must depend on Erin's outdoor skills. This is a story about survival and new friendships. Great
January 5, 2009
Good adventure for girls, but a lot does not make sense, there are quite a few elements that are not explained well (for example, the girls climb a shear rock face and the meet at the top a dog who was with them at the bottom, how did he get up?) Also there is not much suspense you know everything will be fine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2014
This book was very tense because there is two people stuck at the middle of the mountain. I can connect this book to the book called hatchet, hatchet is also about surviving, but hatchet is surviving in the woods and death mountain is surviving on the mountain. I would recommend this book to people who likes adventurous stories or likes surviving stories.
August 3, 2015
"Death Mountain" takes place in Sierra, Nevada during the stormy part of the year. I skimmed through the book once more, and it was then I realized that Sherry Shahan is a brilliant writer. I was so engrossed into the novel after the plot came to life. I read nonstop and even when I completed reading, I yearned for more chapters. I recommend this to anyone that knows how to read.
January 20, 2012
Death Mountain is a thrilling, hair-raising book that will keep you on edge, and you won't want to put it down. You will like this book if you enjoy the outdoors or adventures. It was very interesting, but had some slow spots scattered in between.
March 18, 2015
I disliked this book very much because the plot was very plain and not exciting for me. I couldn't really understand the character and why she would follow strangers that she had just met. Overall it was all mixed up for me and I couldn't enjoy reading it.
December 10, 2008
2 1/2 stars.
January 5, 2009
A decent young adult adventure survival novel. Good suspense and realistic situations as two girls are lost in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
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