Customer Reviews

High As A Hawk

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever notice how much more inspiring true life stories are as opposed to fiction, no matter how dramatic or expansively imagined? This story of Harriet Peters, the youngest person to ever climb Longs Peak, should hearten both young readers and adults.

Ted Lewin's brilliant double page watercolor illustrations beautifully capture Colorado's mountainous terrain. His double-page portrait of 8-year-old Harriet is especially compelling.

In 1905 young Harriet set off with her father and mountain guide Enos Mills determined to fulfill her mother's dream of scaling Longs Peak. She remembers last year, before her mother died, when she and her mother had climbed a "small hill" in the Ozarks. It was then that she learned that climbing Longs Peak was her mother's dream and that her father was going to take her there for her next birthday. But now her mother was gone and Harriet wanted to honor her memory by making the climb.

The trio had not gone very far when her father wasn't able to continue - the altitude was too much for him. Harriet asked if she could go ahead with Mr. Mills. The reply was, "Spread your wings, girl. For us all."

Spread her wings she did. She climbed on despite the pain in her heels, despite a giant bull elk in her path, a giant blister on her foot, and tumbling boulders which forced them to slip and slide. She finally reached the summit. And, when asked how she felt her reply was "High as a Hawk."

- Gail Cooke

High as a Hawk is a sensational story of a little girl's determination to live out her mother's dream. Anyone who has lost a loved one can relate to wanting that person to live on in some way. T.A. Baron captures the endurance and the hardships that come with accomplishing this. The challenges that face the little girl in this book don't stop her and the image of being as "high as a hawk" at the end makes the reader breathe that breath of accomplishment right along with her. Ted Lewin's illustrations add the touch of expression and scenery that make this story as sensational as it is.

After the death of her mother, at the tender young age of [...], Harriet Peters is inspired to carry forth her mother's dream and climb to the top of Longs Peak summit. This book is based on the true story of the youngest person to ever reach the 14,000 feet Colorado summit, led by guide Eno Mills. Harriet's father is also trying to make it to the top but just can not manage the grueling climb. Guide Mills has his own dream of turning the land into a national park so Harriet and Mills press onward together. This book has breathtaking illustrations and is full of suspense and expectations. Harriet's triumph and courage is genuine and heartfelt and should be inspirational to all readers.

This story was enchanting. The illustrator's illuminating pictures really helped bring this story to life. The descriptive language in this story made it easy to imagine that you(the reader)are right there climbing the towering peaks. The fact that this is a true story makes it that much more enjoyable to read. Until reading this book I was not familiar with this author or illustrator, but now that I am I will be looking for more of their work, it is great!

It is a wonderful book for all ages! As a 4th grade teacher is is full of figurative language that I can use to teach students. It is also a wonderful story of
perseverance and goal setting.

It all started with her mom's dream to climb Longs Peak in Colorado. After Harriet's mother died, Harriet, her Pa, and Mr. Mills started the grand adventure to conquerer Longs Peak. After her Pa could no longer go on with the journey, Harriet decided she would not give up; she wanted to live her mother's dream and see the hawk soar. Her and Mr. Mills continue until Harriet no longer has the will to go on. One more climb over the top is all she can manage. Finally, all of her pain and tiredness goes out of her arms when she spreads them open on the summit copying the great hawk she sees soaring through the sky. A great use of color, Ted Lewin, depicts the mountains with oranges and purples. The colors throughout this book are magnificient and give the reader a sense of dept and realness. This is a great book that proves that no matter what, no person shall give up on their dreams.

"High as a Hawk" is a very nice book for children in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade.

T.A.Barron in my opinion is a great writer. He use's surprise statements like. `It was my mom's dream to climb Longs Peak with Mr. Mills. She didn't tell me she would die first. He use's great verbs like panted, clomping, and more interesting verbs. The author puts the reader in the story. It feels like you're as High as a Hawk.