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The Farthest-Away Mountain
by
Once upon a time, in a village nestled in a mountain valley, lived a girl named Dakin. Dakin wants three things more than anything else: to visit the farthest-away mountain, to meet a gargoyle, and to marry a prince. Everyone in her village thinks she's crazy, especially since no one has ever been to the farthest-away mountain. But one day, when she is nearly 15, she hears
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Paperback, 160 pages
Published
January 13th 2004
by Yearling Books
(first published 1976)
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Dakin and her family live in a tiny village on the far side of the woods from the Farthest-Away Mountain, a peak that changes color regularly and which no one can reach, no matter how hard they try. But one day, the mountain nods at her, and she knows she has to go to it, no matter how impossible the journey may be.I first read this book when I was around the same age as Dakin (mid teens), and I loved it with all my heart. I then half wanted to reread it sometime, and half feared that no wa ...more
I LOVED this book. Everything a child's fairytale should be. While I enjoy many current junior fiction titles, they just can't capture the vintage charm that stories such as this contain. "The Farthest-away Mountain" is going right up there with "The Ordinary Princess" as a book that will, without question, be read to my daughter. The heroine is brave and kind and good, but not immune from making mistakes or struggling in the midst of trials. I found the moral to be wonderful and the story balan
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This book has sentimental value for me. This was the first book I read when I was a young girl, roughly around the age of 7. It made me feel magical, and truly was my escape at the time, which is probably why I love it so much. I remember while reading this, imagining that I was Darkin on this wild adventure to get to the farthest-away mountain. This really is the ultimate fairy-tale! And as a young girl, this book was so incredibly magical to me, I must of read it about a thousand times. Defini
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“Forests always gave Dakin a shivery feeling, half unease and half excitement.”
The Farthest-Away Mountain was a delightful read.
From purple, orange and blue coloured snow to dinosaurs, this book delivered some unique traits and twists - despite following the rather typical fantasy setting of our protagonist, Dakin, setting out on a quest (oh, I do love those adventure/quest fantasy stories, though!). Dakin was a lovely character - even though she dreamed of marrying a prince, she was courage ...more
Apr 29, 2018
Owen
added it
An old-school story about a plucky heroine who saves the day. I was worried it would feel dated in bad ways, but it mostly sidesteps antiquated gender roles and the like. The shape of the story is old-fashioned, but it's old-fashioned like a warm quilt from your grandparents and not, like, political ideas from your grandparents. I will probably read this to my daughter someday soon and I'll enjoy that.
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My friend Linds had this on her shelf and suggested I give it a try - being short and having time during our hang out I figured sure!
This is very much like the Gail Carson Levine fairy tale books - though this predates them by 20 years of course. A young girl with a very set dream, the will to make it happen and fearlessness to see it through. This would have been one of my favorites as a child if I had read it then.
I like that for Dakin it wasn't her being stubborn or arrogant, she had QUESTION ...more
This is very much like the Gail Carson Levine fairy tale books - though this predates them by 20 years of course. A young girl with a very set dream, the will to make it happen and fearlessness to see it through. This would have been one of my favorites as a child if I had read it then.
I like that for Dakin it wasn't her being stubborn or arrogant, she had QUESTION ...more
This was one of my most beloved books as a child. I am heartened to find it is not secretly racist and only child-bridey at the end.
Just fyi, I'm reading this for the first time at 26 years old. I'm reading it because a friend said it was her favorite book growing up.
My first reaction was happiness because I saw this book was written by the same author as The Indian in the Cupboard, which I remember I liked as a child. But then after I read 20 pages, I became scared to go back and re-read my favorite childhood books like The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, The Great Brain, and The Castle in the Att ...more
My first reaction was happiness because I saw this book was written by the same author as The Indian in the Cupboard, which I remember I liked as a child. But then after I read 20 pages, I became scared to go back and re-read my favorite childhood books like The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, The Great Brain, and The Castle in the Att ...more
I recognized this cover immediately when I stumbled across it here, even though I haven't seen my copy of the book in probably a decade. I loved this story because it was one of the first books I read about a girl who was willing to set out on her own to explore the world she wanted to see. She's not forced to head to the mountain because of war or a mysterious quest--she wants to see it, and she goes. The world she finds there might seem overly familiar now that every fantasy archetype risks be
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I just picked this up for a quick re-read. This was a book from elementary school that I read once and loved so much, the name stuck in my head and I was able to look it up years later. I loved fantasy as a child, and I think this book may be one of the reasons why.
Re-reading it, I can see why I loved it. Dakin is independent and adventurous, and the story has really vivid imagery. And I really like that the ending (view spoiler) ...more
Re-reading it, I can see why I loved it. Dakin is independent and adventurous, and the story has really vivid imagery. And I really like that the ending (view spoiler) ...more
it was super hard to stop reading the characters had there own unique little personality
This was a book that I grew up loving. It was one of my favorites. I was so excited to read it out loud to Lucy. First, Lucy loved the book. My son even sat still for a good chunk of the book to listen and he is 3. Lucy is 6 and she loved it. She understood it mostly and I had to remind her of a couple things here and there. I didn't use all the vocab, sometimes just making it a little simpler. But she liked it.
I give the book 2 stars because reading it wasn't as enjoyable as I thought. I didn' ...more
I give the book 2 stars because reading it wasn't as enjoyable as I thought. I didn' ...more
This little fantasy adventure draws on what are now often-used fantasy tropes, but there is a freshness and innocence to this story that makes them all new. From purple, orange, and blue colored snow to the darling little mountain gargoyles who help and comfort our heroine, the world building was engaging and had some elements that felt delightfully fresh.
Written in the old, melodic style that I’ll always love, this short novel drops our truly plucky heroine into one exciting hazard after anothe ...more
Written in the old, melodic style that I’ll always love, this short novel drops our truly plucky heroine into one exciting hazard after anothe ...more
I recently reread this, and I have to say that it wasn't even half as good as when I first read it when I was seven or eight.
There were several misspelled words and sentences, and not enough plot development.
I know its a children's book, but that shouldn't mean anything. A book should have correct words and should tell you everything you need and want to know about the story. But sadly not all books are like that.
I remember this book being so good, but the truth is that it really isn't.
I wish I ...more
There were several misspelled words and sentences, and not enough plot development.
I know its a children's book, but that shouldn't mean anything. A book should have correct words and should tell you everything you need and want to know about the story. But sadly not all books are like that.
I remember this book being so good, but the truth is that it really isn't.
I wish I ...more
Oh, how I loved this book!
I remembered this book from when I was <10 years old. I loved it. My fond memories of this book led me to re-read it at 28. I still love it! This is a book for a young person who loves to read. I would recommend it to any child who is looking for a longer more challenging book. The themes are benign and the fantasy charming. There are some very mild scary parts but they come no where near disturbing. It's just precious :) ...more
I remembered this book from when I was <10 years old. I loved it. My fond memories of this book led me to re-read it at 28. I still love it! This is a book for a young person who loves to read. I would recommend it to any child who is looking for a longer more challenging book. The themes are benign and the fantasy charming. There are some very mild scary parts but they come no where near disturbing. It's just precious :) ...more
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher read it to us with silly voices for all the characters. I think that is what really made me love the story!
But the idea of the story is really neat and fun. It is a great, original fantasy story!
But the idea of the story is really neat and fun. It is a great, original fantasy story!
This is one of those foundational books for me. I read it as a child, I searched for it as an adult, and re-read it...and it's still magic. It has everything I need in a fantasy, and everything a children's book should have. I think this really influenced my taste in literature. Irrevocably.
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I have been looking for this book for years! I read it in elementary school, but forgot the title. I am one who loves mountains and so when the mountain called to the girl I felt an immediate connection to the story. I am so happy Goodreads suggested this to me!
One of my favorite books ever. I read this as a kid and still have my copy, and have reread it so many times. Even as an adult since it just takes me back!
all of it reminded me of cartoons full of trolls, witches, goblins and so on, I loved those cartoons as kid.
What a fun children’s fantasy book this is! It is a lovely adventure with creative challenges the heroine (Dakin) must overcome to save those who are under the master’s power on the mountain.
Probably my favorite things about this story are the way it was written and Dakin’s character. She was an excellent heroine who knew her mind and never gave up. I wish I could be more like that! She seemed very real and made mistakes as well. It was very refreshing to have a strong but real protagonist.
The ...more
Probably my favorite things about this story are the way it was written and Dakin’s character. She was an excellent heroine who knew her mind and never gave up. I wish I could be more like that! She seemed very real and made mistakes as well. It was very refreshing to have a strong but real protagonist.
The ...more
It's been a number of years since I read this, but I was reminded of it recently so I wanted to add it to a shelf and post a review in case someone else finds and falls in love with it : ) It's definitely a book for children (8 is about right), but I read it again at some point as an adult and still really enjoyed it. The main character, Dakin, is called by the Farthest-Away mountain and begins a long adventure that doesn't go the typical fairy-tale route. I appreciated all the nods to the genre
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This is the book that started my love for reading. The magic that Lynne Reid Banks was able to bring has lived with me for the past 22 years. I have read and reread this book so many times through the years because it brings me back to that place when I was 10 years old and trying to find my escape from the real world. Lynne Reid Banks provided me that escape that I desperately desired and sparked a love for reading that has never stopped burning. For that I will forever be thankful. I cannot wa
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This was my favorite book as a little girl (8 - 14 years old). It was so exciting and fantastic. I recently hunted down a copy for my 7 year old and she is really enjoying it too. I remember feeling so mesmerized by the characters and the story. Be careful what you wish for. Never be afraid to chase your dreams. Be kind and brave. I want my daughter to learn and live by the lessons in this book just like I did.
This is one of my absolute favorite books from when I was young. My sister used to read it to me all the time because it was her favorite book when she was younger. It’s a magical story about a girl who goes into an enchanted forest to reach the farthest away mountain and encounters all types of mystical creatures and such. I love this so much especially because it is an older boon with a strong female character as the protagonist. Loved this reread!
#booked2018 #litsy #childhood favorite
#booked2018 #litsy #childhood favorite
I simply loved this adorable book by Lynne Reid Banks! The Farthest-Away Mountain is a children’s book about a magical journey to conquer evil. Even though it’s geared for children, I gobbled up this adorable adventure. The language was beautiful and the characters so sweet. 5 stars #amberkatrinareads #goodreads #2018books #thefarthestawaymountain
One of my favorites as a child, it has all the best bits of a fairy tale wrapped up in a simplistic story. There's an ogre, a witch, enchanted snow, a magic well, a lost ring. The story is simply written and a bit silly and easy, but it still makes me smile to this day and wish for an adult version with more evil villains, terrifying risks and frightening twists. But for now, this will do.
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This was my favorite book from childhood and I picked it up again as a bit of comfort. It was so great to vaguely remember it and slowly put it together as I reread. I want to keep it to read to my daughter.
The book was a quick read but it was one of those books that you can't put down you just want to keep reading. While reading it the details were very well written to the point that it was very visual. I would recommend this to anybody who wants a quick read and loves fantasy books.
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I didn't dig the story or the writing. Already I knew this was not edited well when in the beginning of the book Dakin was said to be 14 and then 4 years later was 15... I think that could have been an easy fix for the publishers/editors to do.
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. A fantasy children's book about a girl read in early 90s [s] | 3 | 705 | Apr 28, 2020 11:41AM | |
| Film adaptation? | 9 | 57 | Mar 27, 2018 11:31AM | |
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. 1970s YA/Children: girl, gargoyle, multi-colored terrain [s] | 6 | 53 | Jul 26, 2013 10:58AM |
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Lynne Reid Banks is a British author of books for children and adults. She has written forty books, including the best-selling children's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, which has sold over 10 million copies and been made into a film.
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after ...more
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after ...more
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Kerine Wint is a software engineering graduate with more love for books than for computers. As an avid reader, writer, and fan of all things...
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