I Don’t Do Mountains

Kenzie is the least likely participant on a school hillwalking residential trip to the Cairngorms in Scotland: she would much rather be in her school library reading about such things. She doesn’t make friends easily either, so the fact that her class will join year 6 pupils from other schools makes it doubly daunting.

Despite all her best efforts to feign illness and get out of going, she finds herself in a small group with her nemesis Sorley – the class clown – and two strangers. Their guide, Birdy, is an outspoken outdoor enthusiast, but Sorley is uncharacteristically quiet and Kenzie manages an uneasy comradeship with the others.

After a sleep-deprived first night in their camp halfway up a mountain, Kenzie wakes first to find that Birdy is no longer with them – his tent and belongings left behind. The four young companions must find a way to get help, but no one will be looking for them until they fail to make it to the meeting place in two days. They have to find the village that Birdy was leading them towards, even though they aren’t sure of their location and the weather is not on their side. However, it turns out that being lost and alone is the least of their problems.

This would be perfect for mountains or British Isles topics and has themes of conservation, wildlife protection, friendship and courage. It would also be an excellent read for year 6 students transitioning to secondary school.