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
A Glimpse of Eternal Snows
I loved listening to this book. The intensity of life experiences described, the decisions made, particularly the courage to go against medical professional advice and society's norm, was admirable and humbling! The adventures described, trekking with the children up the Himals was especially awe-inspiring. Also impressive was the way the author documented her feelings, the details with which she observed Nepal (the sounds, colours, textures....). And her amazing humour! In the middle of grief and despair, the sounds of birds, dripping water... communicating to her. The narration was excellent.
Betty
Snowfed Waters
Sonia escapes to Nepal only to find no escape from herself. In a confrontation with another culture that becomes more life-enhancing and a land more life-threatening than anything she has ever experienced before, her overwhelming problems back in England gradually transform into trifling matters for her. Meanwhile her Nepalese employer Rekraj and hostess Guliya aren’t quite sure what to make of this obviously disturbed Westerner, but then Guliya’s teenaged daughter Moti befriends Sonia and adventures ensue. Told from five points of view and voices that weave together a rich tapestry of cultural confrontation, this story deftly draws one into minds with very different perspectives.
The transformative effect of Nature in full flow is another character in this story. Its voice underpins and carries the tale like the river that becomes so important in Sonia’s reinvention. This journey that Sonia undertakes to heal herself is a guidebook on how to become whole by facing reality and by learning how not to suffer from the fairytales we create for ourselves. When we do confront reality, we might just notice a more satisfying magic begins to unfold inside and all around us.
Amy Corzine author of The Secret Life of the Universe