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Hike Up Devil's Mountain
Ten-year old Andy Thompson disobeys his mother and sneaks into the basement of an old abandoned house that’s due for demolition. He stumbles upon a mysterious box under an old cabinet. And his troubles begin when he looks inside.
The Crew brothers, twelve-year old Jason, and ten-year old Danny, also find their way to the basement. New to town, Jason has established himself as the school bully. A struggle ensues between Andy and Jason and the bully ends up as a toad.
Somehow, the boys must reverse the magical spell. That means hiking up Devil's Mountain. The question is will they survive the hike?
The Crew brothers, twelve-year old Jason, and ten-year old Danny, also find their way to the basement. New to town, Jason has established himself as the school bully. A struggle ensues between Andy and Jason and the bully ends up as a toad.
Somehow, the boys must reverse the magical spell. That means hiking up Devil's Mountain. The question is will they survive the hike?
68 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Penny Estelle
28 books40 followersMy name is Penny Estelle and I was an elementary school secretary for 21 years. I heard every excuse and story in the book when kids were sent to the principal. I promised myself when I retired I would write stories about kids that got under my skin – in a good way.
I am retired with my wonderful husband and we live on a fifty-four acre ranch in NW Arizona. Finding out it would cost over $100,000 to bring in electricity we decided to go green. We live on solar and wind. I am the “greenest” person and I know, even if I don’t want to be!
My book Hike Up Devil's Mountain is a MG/tweens fantasy. We need to get our kids reading again and hopefully this adventure will help do just that! It's now also out in print and audio!
I have three other MG/tween stories out. Billy Cooper's Awesome Nightmare - Book 1 of the The Wickware Sagas and just released is A Ride of a Lifetime, Book 2 of the Wickware Sagas. A Float Down the Canal is a story for any young lady in your life. A feel good story about the girl who is always just one of the gang.
I have also written a YA/adult story titled At What Price?, and a non fiction story about my life on solar. It's titled, Solar - One Family's Reality. Please stop by my website @ www.pennystales.com and get a taste of all my stories. I would love it if you left a comment!
Find me @ www.pennystales.com
pennyestelle.blogspot.com
twitter: @pennystales
I am retired with my wonderful husband and we live on a fifty-four acre ranch in NW Arizona. Finding out it would cost over $100,000 to bring in electricity we decided to go green. We live on solar and wind. I am the “greenest” person and I know, even if I don’t want to be!
My book Hike Up Devil's Mountain is a MG/tweens fantasy. We need to get our kids reading again and hopefully this adventure will help do just that! It's now also out in print and audio!
I have three other MG/tween stories out. Billy Cooper's Awesome Nightmare - Book 1 of the The Wickware Sagas and just released is A Ride of a Lifetime, Book 2 of the Wickware Sagas. A Float Down the Canal is a story for any young lady in your life. A feel good story about the girl who is always just one of the gang.
I have also written a YA/adult story titled At What Price?, and a non fiction story about my life on solar. It's titled, Solar - One Family's Reality. Please stop by my website @ www.pennystales.com and get a taste of all my stories. I would love it if you left a comment!
Find me @ www.pennystales.com
pennyestelle.blogspot.com
twitter: @pennystales
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 6, 2012
REVIEW BY: Angel, age 9 years, 11 months
SPOILER ALERT:
Ten-year-old Andy Thompson's mother tells him not to go to the house next door because it is old and dangerous, but he sneaks out and goes in the house next door where he finds a red magic stick. Two boys named, Jason and Danny, go to the house as well. While the boys are there, Jason and Andy get into a fight over the magic stick. While they are fighting, Andy told Jason that he was acting like a toad and then Jason turned into a toad!! Danny and Andy try to find a way to turn Jason back into a boy, but nothing works. Danny comes up with an idea to hike up to Devil's Mountain. Andy does not want to do this, but Danny tells him that he has to go. While hiking up Devil's Mountain, strange things start to happen.
My favorite part of this book is when the boys were hiking up Devil's Mountain and they start to get hungry. Danny had gummy bugs and since Jason was a toad, his tongue went flying so he could eat the gummy bugs. This is my favorite part because it was so funny! I think that anyone that likes funny and scary books should read this book. I think that it is best for 3rd-6th graders. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
SPOILER ALERT:
Ten-year-old Andy Thompson's mother tells him not to go to the house next door because it is old and dangerous, but he sneaks out and goes in the house next door where he finds a red magic stick. Two boys named, Jason and Danny, go to the house as well. While the boys are there, Jason and Andy get into a fight over the magic stick. While they are fighting, Andy told Jason that he was acting like a toad and then Jason turned into a toad!! Danny and Andy try to find a way to turn Jason back into a boy, but nothing works. Danny comes up with an idea to hike up to Devil's Mountain. Andy does not want to do this, but Danny tells him that he has to go. While hiking up Devil's Mountain, strange things start to happen.
My favorite part of this book is when the boys were hiking up Devil's Mountain and they start to get hungry. Danny had gummy bugs and since Jason was a toad, his tongue went flying so he could eat the gummy bugs. This is my favorite part because it was so funny! I think that anyone that likes funny and scary books should read this book. I think that it is best for 3rd-6th graders. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
September 11, 2017
A quick read, exciting and full of surprises, it carries a message without being preachy.
January 25, 2014
HIKE UP DEVIL’S MOUNTAIN (Review)
By Penny Estelle
When you were a child did you ever disobey your parents? If so, what were the results? Did they punish you? Or did something happen because of your disobedience that made you wish you’d listened to you folks? Maybe they were right. Yeah, as we grow older, we discover mothers and fathers are amazingly smart.
Author Penny Estelle’s MG/Tween novel, HIKE UP DEVIL’S MOUNTAIN, is an entertaining adventure about boys, bullies, and surprises, with a touch of fantasy added for good measure. Ten-year-old Andy Thompson explores an abandoned house, where he finds a box with a stick inside it that glows. Being curious, as most kids are, he has to find out more about this amazing stick. Enter the bully, Jason Crew, and his brother, Danny, new kids in school, and there’s never a dull moment. Without giving away the plot, I’ll just mention a talking toad, a witch that lives on Devil’s Mountain, and a blue dragon provide a hefty dose of humor, fear, and discovery for Andy and friends.
Penny Estelle has created characters that have the faults of real children and also their good points. The reader follows along, wondering what will happen next. At least this reader did. The author throws in a surprise or two along the way. Do the boys learn anything from their adventures? Well, pick up a copy of the book and see. HIKE UP DEVIL’S MOUNTAIN would make a great addition to school libraries and classrooms, as well as your own library.
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By Penny Estelle
When you were a child did you ever disobey your parents? If so, what were the results? Did they punish you? Or did something happen because of your disobedience that made you wish you’d listened to you folks? Maybe they were right. Yeah, as we grow older, we discover mothers and fathers are amazingly smart.
Author Penny Estelle’s MG/Tween novel, HIKE UP DEVIL’S MOUNTAIN, is an entertaining adventure about boys, bullies, and surprises, with a touch of fantasy added for good measure. Ten-year-old Andy Thompson explores an abandoned house, where he finds a box with a stick inside it that glows. Being curious, as most kids are, he has to find out more about this amazing stick. Enter the bully, Jason Crew, and his brother, Danny, new kids in school, and there’s never a dull moment. Without giving away the plot, I’ll just mention a talking toad, a witch that lives on Devil’s Mountain, and a blue dragon provide a hefty dose of humor, fear, and discovery for Andy and friends.
Penny Estelle has created characters that have the faults of real children and also their good points. The reader follows along, wondering what will happen next. At least this reader did. The author throws in a surprise or two along the way. Do the boys learn anything from their adventures? Well, pick up a copy of the book and see. HIKE UP DEVIL’S MOUNTAIN would make a great addition to school libraries and classrooms, as well as your own library.
###
February 21, 2013
Book Review - Hike Up Devil's Mountain by Penny Estelle - 4 Stars and "I wish I was a kid again" Shout Out!
This 26 page novella written for the middle grade reader was so adorable and I am thrilled Penny asked me to review it. Andy, Jason and Danny are such believable kids, reminding me of my own son at that age and the trouble he would get into. A lovely switch from the normal reads for me, I have to recommend this for your middle grader or even if you just want to slip into an easy read and a fantastical adventure peaking in on the boys as they adventure their way to the top of Devil's Mountain. The author used her wonderfully descriptive writing style to easily draw pictures in my imagination and I followed along as an excited observer!
As you read you can feel each of the characters' regret for disobeying his mother and their fear at each close call as the elements intervene in a mysterious and exciting way to keep them from making it to their destination. Along the way the boys learn to help each other and start to turn their rivalry into friendship. Lesson filled with a great surprise ending this read is very age appropriate for kids age 10-14.
Reviewed by Debra L Hartmann, Published Author, Blogger and Professional Editor www.dlhbookreviews.wordpress.com
This 26 page novella written for the middle grade reader was so adorable and I am thrilled Penny asked me to review it. Andy, Jason and Danny are such believable kids, reminding me of my own son at that age and the trouble he would get into. A lovely switch from the normal reads for me, I have to recommend this for your middle grader or even if you just want to slip into an easy read and a fantastical adventure peaking in on the boys as they adventure their way to the top of Devil's Mountain. The author used her wonderfully descriptive writing style to easily draw pictures in my imagination and I followed along as an excited observer!
As you read you can feel each of the characters' regret for disobeying his mother and their fear at each close call as the elements intervene in a mysterious and exciting way to keep them from making it to their destination. Along the way the boys learn to help each other and start to turn their rivalry into friendship. Lesson filled with a great surprise ending this read is very age appropriate for kids age 10-14.
Reviewed by Debra L Hartmann, Published Author, Blogger and Professional Editor www.dlhbookreviews.wordpress.com
September 5, 2012
Andy goes to an abandoned house against his mother’s wishes. While there he find a strange glowing stick and the local bully. Jason and Danny come from money and are new in town. Because of that, Jason thinks he is better than the locals and like to throw his weight around. Jason and Andy start fighting over the glowing stick and Jason gets turned into a toad.
Andy knows there is a witch that lives on the top of Devil’s Mountain and the boy’s start the long journey hoping to get Jason turned back. They face many threats like a voice telling them to “Go Back,” trees that attack them, a raging storm, and a monster in a cavern.
This was a cute short story for children. I have a person hate for bullies and especially those that think they are better because they have money so this book hit a little home. I liked how they ended up working together and having Jason getting a bit of an awakening.
This is a great little read for kids. Pick up your copy today.
I received this book for free from the Book Rooster program in exchange for an honest review.
Andy knows there is a witch that lives on the top of Devil’s Mountain and the boy’s start the long journey hoping to get Jason turned back. They face many threats like a voice telling them to “Go Back,” trees that attack them, a raging storm, and a monster in a cavern.
This was a cute short story for children. I have a person hate for bullies and especially those that think they are better because they have money so this book hit a little home. I liked how they ended up working together and having Jason getting a bit of an awakening.
This is a great little read for kids. Pick up your copy today.
I received this book for free from the Book Rooster program in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2013
A stick from the abandoned home of a witch puts Andy Thompson in a world of hurt, after he curses town bully, Jason. Jason's younger brother, Danny, and Andy can't turn Jason back into a boy, no matter how many "spells" they think up. The boys then figure out they have to … gasp! … Hike up Devil's Mountain!
Rarely have I read such an entertaining tale with such an important message. Penny Estelle's imagination goes full out in this story of a boy forced to undo his own mistake, but only because he was about to have his clock cleaned by the town bully. Estelle devotes a great part of the story to the most important thing to boys – the journey up the mountain, which is fraught with all kinds of dangers they must avoid or escape by using their wits. The revelation at the end caught me somewhat by surprise, but I was beginning to suspect this through some of the things Andy could do. I highly recommend Hike up Devil's Mountain for boys of all ages. It's a reminder of a time before computer games and social media, when kids used their imaginations.
Rarely have I read such an entertaining tale with such an important message. Penny Estelle's imagination goes full out in this story of a boy forced to undo his own mistake, but only because he was about to have his clock cleaned by the town bully. Estelle devotes a great part of the story to the most important thing to boys – the journey up the mountain, which is fraught with all kinds of dangers they must avoid or escape by using their wits. The revelation at the end caught me somewhat by surprise, but I was beginning to suspect this through some of the things Andy could do. I highly recommend Hike up Devil's Mountain for boys of all ages. It's a reminder of a time before computer games and social media, when kids used their imaginations.
December 13, 2015
"Hike Up Devil's Mountain" by Penny Estelle was a short intriguing story that I read to my boys. They were glued to the story from beginning to end, as was I.
What child listens to their parents when told not to do something? When told not to go in a house set for demolition, Andy ventures into the house anyway where he later runs into the towns newcomers aka the town bullies. During a scuffle Andy locates a glowing stick and accidentally turns one into a rat! In order to cure him they go up Devil's Mountain to find the witch who used to live in the house.
What a great adventure story for children with a moral to it. I recommend this as a read aloud for ages 5-8, and as a read alone for older children or adults.
I was gifted this book by the author in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no one else's.
Here's the link for the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hike-Devils-Mou...
What child listens to their parents when told not to do something? When told not to go in a house set for demolition, Andy ventures into the house anyway where he later runs into the towns newcomers aka the town bullies. During a scuffle Andy locates a glowing stick and accidentally turns one into a rat! In order to cure him they go up Devil's Mountain to find the witch who used to live in the house.
What a great adventure story for children with a moral to it. I recommend this as a read aloud for ages 5-8, and as a read alone for older children or adults.
I was gifted this book by the author in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no one else's.
Here's the link for the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hike-Devils-Mou...
June 16, 2013
Good short fun read for middle grade, especially boys will be caught up in this story filled with action and humor.I particularly enjoyed the character arcs of the boys, realistic and charming. Good twist at the end as well--although I would have liked to see a tiny touch of foreshadowing.
But all said, I'd recommend this to everyone for an enjoyable read. And I believe it is a good gateway-into-reading book for middle grade boys.
But all said, I'd recommend this to everyone for an enjoyable read. And I believe it is a good gateway-into-reading book for middle grade boys.
January 19, 2013
An excellent adventure that also teaches a lesson or two about obeying parents and about bullying. The boys made enjoyable characters and their adventures came fast and furious. I confess I did not see the ending coming--quite a nice surprise. I would highly recommend this story to any young readers in the middle grades. I received a complimentary copy of this book inorder to review it.
April 30, 2013
This was a cute short story packed with fun and adventure and a few lessons along the way. Andy, Danny and Jason were believable characters who learned that bullying and disobeying one's parents could lead to scary, spine-tingling consequences.
I would highly recommend this story to young readers.
I would highly recommend this story to young readers.
May 7, 2013
What a trip, oh yea this is a short story but long enough to be a great ride. Ten-year old Andy Thompson disobeys his mother about going to see a haunted house. The reslut? Accidently turning the new big bully into a toad! But that is just the beginning of this adventure, the trial of Devil's Mountain is one page turning blaze.
July 31, 2012
This is a fun story with a moral for middle grade readers. Andy disobeys his parents by going into a house set for demolition. He's surprised there by two other kids and things go downhill from there. Lots of action, adventure, and suspense fill the pages of this fun read!
September 15, 2013
This is a quick short story with a good moral ending and enough action to keep it interesting. Andy thinks he had a dream and it id the kind od thing boys dream of.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews