Himalayan Hostages
Surfing a narrative as swift and treacherous as a Himalayan river, Alex and his brother James pursue their kidnapped parents into the jungles of southwest Nepal, bonding over very many very lucky escapes and a good dose of samosas, milky tea and practical jokes. An enjoyable, educational read for all ages, this beautifully illustrated eco-adventure is an authentic contemporary portrayal of and call to action for a country beset by ecological and moral challenges.
Rabi Thapa
A Glimpse of Eternal Snows
Wilson-Howarth does, as is expected, notice the dirt, the lack of hygiene and the poverty, but the flame of the forest blazes brighter than all that, setting her firmly apart from many expats who treat their Third World experiences as a kind of slum tourism.
Outlook magazine, New Delhi
Himalayan Heist
Himalayan Heist, a YA book by Jane Wilson-Howarth, is about three teenagers stranded in the Himalayas after a small plane crash. They make their way over treacherous mountain passes, through dense forests, and over rickety bridges and icy, glacial rivers. They struggle with finding their way and enough food to eat, while facing off with smugglers, bandits, and wild animals. The story moves quickly from adventure to adventure and the kids, though prone to squabbling and errors in judgement, are able to eventually work together to find their way to safety and foil the plans of some very shady smugglers. The book was read by the author who has a lovely British accent.
Sheri Amsel, author, illustrator, science educator