What This Book Is About
Mark is twelve years old, and he is dying. Cancer has taken almost everything from him—his hair, his energy, his sense of a normal future. What it hasn't taken is his dream: to stand on the summit of Mount Rainier, the massive snow-capped volcano that looms over his hometown in Washington State. Mark has stared at that mountain his whole life. Now, with time running out, he decides to go.
He doesn't tell his parents. He doesn't tell his doctors. He packs a bag, takes his dog Beau—the one companion who has never left his side through every hospital visit and every round of chemotherapy—and boards a bus heading for the mountain. What follows is a harrowing, beautiful journey through freezing temperatures, violent storms, and the absolute limits of a boy's body and spirit.
Meanwhile, his best friend Jessie discovers what Mark has done and races to find him before it's too late. Dan Gemeinhart alternates between Mark's perspective on the mountain and Jessie's desperate search, creating a dual narrative that builds relentless tension. This is a book about courage, friendship, and what it means to truly live—even when you know how the story might end. Keep tissues nearby.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
One of the most emotionally powerful B1 books on the list—perfect for students ready to engage with mature themes. Three reasons.
First, at Lexile 650L this is one of the most accessible B1 books in the G6 collection, despite dealing with mature, thought-provoking themes. The language is clear and direct, the sentences are short, and Mark's first-person voice is immediate and compelling. Students who might struggle with more linguistically complex B1 texts will find this book easy to read—and impossible to stop reading once they've started.
Second, the themes of mortality, courage, and friendship spark deep discussion that is ideal for English class literature circles and book reports. Questions like "Was Mark right to leave?" and "What would you do if you knew time was running out?" generate the kind of genuine, passionate debate that develops both critical thinking and English speaking skills simultaneously.
Third, the dual narrative structure—Mark's mountain journey alternating with Jessie's search—teaches students about multiple perspectives in storytelling. This literary technique appears frequently in IB MYP English Language & Literature courses, and encountering it in an emotionally engaging context helps students understand it intuitively before they study it formally.
Reading Level Guide
Manageable at strong A2 thanks to the low Lexile. The emotional themes require maturity, though.
Perfect match. Accessible language with deep, meaningful content.
An easy but impactful read at B2. Follow up with City of Ember for a different kind of survival story.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.