• Age: 10 to 18
• Grade: 5 to 12
• Reading age: 10 to 18

On October 5, 1982, Laurie Skreslet became the first Canadian to reach the peak of Mount Everest. His lifelong dream of scaling the world's tallest mountain had become a reality, but it was an achievement that came with a heavy price. Laurie and his expedition faced hidden crevasses, blinding snowstorms, horrible altitude sickness and deadly avalanches that claimed the lives of team members throughout the ascent.

In this exciting true-life adventure, Laurie shares intimate details from the climb itself, including the terrifying moment when he almost plunged to an icy death. A true hero, Laurie proves that with a bit of courage, a little faith and a lot of teamwork, an ordinary person can accomplish extraordinary things.

Laurie Skreslet has climbed many of the world’s highest mountains and leads groups on climbs around the world. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Laurie Skreslet's profile page

Liz is one nosy author, which is why she loves writing non-fiction. She’s very curious about why people do what they do, and likes sharing with kids the amazing facts and secrets that she uncovers.As a kid in Thornhill, Ontario, the idea of being a writer never crossed Liz’s mind—she figured most authors were already dead and they definitely weren’t Canadian. Besides, it was science that interested Liz.But writing was already part of Liz’s life. After dinner on school nights, Liz and her two brothers would trudge up to their rooms, close their doors and start to do their homework—or so their parents thought. A few minutes later, a piece of paper would come sliding under Liz’s door. One of her brothers had drawn a picture, usually of some weird creature.Liz really couldn’t draw (still can’t!), so the only way she could respond was to write a short story, often about a mad scientist or space alien. She would slip the story under her brother’s door and—well, not a lot of homework got done.At university, Liz studied sciences—there was hardly any writing involved at all. But after university, she was hired as an editor at OWL magazine, where she could combine writing and her love of science. But it wasn’t long before Liz had a goal: to write a book. Her first one was about lions and since then she’s written more than fifty others.Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns (2008) is one of her favourite books because royalty has always fascinated Liz. She loved going behind the scenes with monarchs from Cleopatra to Dracula to find out just what they would do to hold onto power or protect their families.Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History’s Mysteries (2013) was the winner of numerous awards, including the Crime Writers of Canada 2014 Arthur Ellis Award in the Juvenile/YA category. Liz’s latest book with Annick Press, Galloping Through History: Incredible True Horse Stories (Spring 2015), combines, once again, her outstanding storytelling skills with her passion for history. This time her love of animals also shines through as she recounts the stories of six horses that changed the way humans live, travel, fight, work, and play.Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their cat Cosimo. While she writes, he is usually sprawled across her desk—often right on the book she needs for research!

Elizabeth MacLeod's profile page

Skreslet, with Elizabeth MacLeod, has penned a dramatic, easily accessible narrative, and kids aged 10 and over who are nuts for rock-climbing, adventure tales, and sports biographies will certainly find what they are looking for in this text.—Quill & Quire

Skreslet's amiable presentation will have great appeal both for readers and browsers, who will learn much within the context of a true-life adventure.—Booklist

This exhilarating book is a great addition to the popular literature about climbing Mount Everest.—School Library Journal, Starred Review