| Title | : | Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 173332920X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781733329200 |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 128 |
| Publication | : | First published February 25, 2020 |
Junko is bad at athletics. Really bad. Other students laugh because they think she is small and weak. Then her teacher takes the class on a trip to a mountain. It’s bigger than any Junko’s ever seen, but she is determined to make it to the top. Ganbatte, her teacher tells her. Do your best.
After that first trip, Junko becomes a mountaineer in body and spirit. She climbs snowy mountains, rocky mountains, and even faraway mountains outside of her home country of Japan. She joins clubs and befriends fellow climbers who love the mountains as much as she does. Then, Junko does something that’s never been done before… she becomes the first woman to climb the tallest mountain in the world.
Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains Reviews
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I will always read the rebel girls series because THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DISAPPOINT YOU!
This one is awe-inspiring as was expected and I would have never known this personality had it not been this book! And I am so glad that #NetGalley made it possible for me to grasp and read this book #JunkoTabeiMasterstheMountains
And as always, it's the first half of the book that is so well written getting hold of your attention offering you the best childhood stories ever told!
I really like the simple, interesting writing style of the book. The illustration is just amazing! Every relevant point in the life of the personality has been mentioned with such warmth and enthusiasm that it's just impossible for you not to get motivated. Ever heard of teachers who motivate students without discrimination? Got it here. Ever heard of great fathers giving full support of their daughters' dreams? Got it here. But ever heard of a relevant someone in your life not supporting the same? Got it here as well! Ever heard of life threatening difficulties in the way of achieving your biggest dreams? Yes, the book is the answer to this!
Wow! And the bonus part?! I totally adore the love story! It's so like cute and inspirational!
One of the best books in the rebel girls series! -
Another famous woman I got to know through the great Rebel Girls series. This is about a "small and week" girl who´s not into athletics at all but learns to climb even higher mountains in spite of her parents wanting her to marry soon in Japan after WWII. She knows it´s about setting one foot after the other and achieves a lot in the sports she loves. I liked the usual lovely descriptions and pictures as well as the additions for (not only) children in the end.
Thanks to Rebel Girls and Netgalley for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review. -
A great example to all girls. We can do hard things! The story of this phenomenal woman is inspiring and well told. I love her journey and passion for what she loved doing. This book also has some great information and fun activities at the end for anyone interested in mountaineering. Great book for anyone looking for some motivation to follow through on your passions and goals.
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I never feel this enjoyment of reading memoirs before. I love Junko and her husband 😍 that's how a family should be. It reminded me that one tiny act that we may not know realized could affect someone in a huge way, like what Junko's teacher did earlier. It brought the idea of not giving up and bravery to start!!!
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Simple and succinct, comes with a profound message that one can achieve whatever they set their mind to, despite what others have to say.
I had not heard of Junko before this, but now, I will not forget her name.
P.S: This was my first complete audiobook I listened to. -
I'd never heard of Junko Tabei before reading this biography, and I have to color myself impressed! Not only is her life story incredible, but the illustrations and writing style chosen to convey her story were so well-done, fluid, and friendly. I mean, get a load of that cover--it tells us so much already! She's successful, she's Japanese, she uses all sorts of tools in order to get herself to the summits--I'm certain there's more that can be derived from it, but that's from just the top of my head.
Tabei's story is likely to be inspirational for others--after all, she grew up during a time where girls and women weren't treated with the utmost respect, and for Tabei to break away from the marriage-and-kids script and pursue mountaineering? Well, it took a lot of guts. But she made it happen and achieved feats beyond her wildest dreams.
Overall, this was a great read depicting a lesser-known but totally important woman worthy of acknowledgement. Definitely worth the read, and definitely serves as inspiration to read more about this incredible woman!
Review cross-listed
here! -
I was fortunate to win two books from the "Rebel Girls" series, published by Timbuktu Labs, Inc. "The Rebel Girls is an award-winning cultural media engine founded in 2012, spanning over seventy countries. Through a combination of thought-provoking stories, creative expression, and business innovation, Rebel Girls is on a mission to balance power and create a more inclusive world." This is the second book in the series, which is recommended for readers in grades 2-5, that I have had the great pleasure to read. I can't wait to share them with my third grade advanced readers!
"Junko Tabei: Masters the Mountains," a work of historical fiction, succeeds in these ways:
1. it communicates to young readers (not just girls), who don't necessarily see themselves as traditionally athletic, that there are many physical avenues to explore that aren't necessarily presented to them in traditional home and school settings, areas that they might enjoy and find they have talent for - in school especially, there is often pressure to be physically and athletically talented - often, students seen as athletically talented in traditional sports are revered - this was true in my day as well
2. the focus on a sport that most know little about, mountain climbing, is absolutely fascinating - it will inspire readers to find out more about the sport of mountain climbing - and there is definitely a "danger" element that is compelling and keeps the action moving
3. the exploration of another country and culture, in this case north-central Japan, is interesting and enlightening - I loved the double page spread of Junko Ishibashi's family eating a meal around the table!
4. the text is strong and is supported by wonderful, bright, luscious illustrations
5. the girl power element is inspiring, particularly in a traditionally male dominated sport - I also liked the exploration of expectations in terms of marriage, in this culture in particular, but the universal message here as well
6. the series, again, focuses on HERstory and chronicles a tale that for many will be new - another story that HIStory seems not to have told us little about
7. the end of the book contains excellent back matter: knot tying and balancing activities, a discussion of overcoming fear, and suggested resources
8. the presence of many strong thematic elements is noteworthy as well:
- "No mountain it too high if you put one foot in front of the other." (p. 4)
- the importance of a "present" adult, such as Junko's teacher Mr. Watanabe, in the life of a young
person - the scene where she, later in life, takes him on a helicopter journey to Mount Everest for his seventieth birthday is wonderful!
- "It's all right to be afraid. Fear is human. Just pay attention to what your fear is telling you and make smart decisions." (p. 59)
- the power of friendship
This series is just wonderful! Highly, highly recommended! -
Originally published on my blog:
Nonstop Reader.
Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains is a biography of mountaineer
Junko Tabei aimed at middle grade readers. Due out 25 Feb 2020 from
Rebel Girls, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardback and audio formats.
This is a biography which is factually based but also has allowed some (unspecified) changes for narrative flow. I liked that Junko wasn't naturally athletic or academically gifted. She worked for her progresses and when she had failures and setbacks, she picked herself up and tried again. Strength and conviction are a recurring theme in her life and I respect her determination.
Stories with strong and believable female role models are important and welcome for boys and girls alike. This is a well told biography of a subject who will be unfamiliar to the majority of readers. The art by
Montse Galbany is colorful and engaging and illustrates the story well.
Well done and worthwhile. This would be a superlative choice for classroom, school library, gift, or personal library.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. -
Thank you NetGally and Rebel Girls for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Description
From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes the historical novel based on the life of Junko Tabei, the first female climber to summit Mount Everest.
Junko is bad at athletics. Really bad. Other students laugh because they think she is small and weak. Then her teacher takes the class on a trip to a mountain. It’s bigger than any Junko’s ever seen, but she is determined to make it to the top. Ganbatte, her teacher tells her. Do your best.
After that first trip, Junko becomes a mountaineer in body and spirit. She climbs snowy mountains, rocky mountains, and even faraway mountains outside of her home country of Japan. She joins clubs and befriends fellow climbers who love the mountains as much as she does. Then, Junko does something that’s never been done before… she becomes the first woman to climb the tallest mountain in the world.
Well written story with good morals! I enjoyed watching Junko growing up and learning how to navigate in life centering mountain climbing as her goal. She fashioned life-long friends. -
The beautiful middle-grade biography chronicles the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman climber to summit Mount Everest. An unlikely climbing hero, Junko failed PE class in middle school.
Growing up in a rural region of Japan, Junko had no independent female role models in the 60s in Japan. Junko didn’t want to settle down and marry after high school, she wanted to attend college and live an independent life full of adventure.
With the support of her father, she went away to college in Tokyo, where she discovered a deep interest in mountaineering. Climbing mountains helped her feel at peace when life seemed too overwhelming.
Junko overcame her natural shyness, joined a climbing club, and eventually became a master climber. She eventually meets, falls in love with, and marries a not-so-traditional Japanese climber, Masanobu Tabei, who encourages her to follow her dreams.
Readers who love biographies will love this story of an ordinary girl who grows up to do daring things. The bright illustrations help support the text, and girls of all ages will fall in love with Junko and cheer for her as she overcomes obstacles and hardships. -
What a superb message for our young people - you do not have to be brilliant at something to be passionate about it. Pursuing an interest with zeal and practising can make you successful. Junko was terrible at school sports. She was small and weak. On her first mountaineering trip, she felt useless... until she reached the summit and felt alive. In Japan, she was expected to marry after finishing school, but Junko wanted to try university in Tokyo and return to the joy of climbing. She did not find it easy, but she loved it. Her journey took her to some of the most challenging climbs in the world. What an inspirational woman and superb example of the importance of not giving up when things are difficult. Perfect read for young chapter readers. Beautifully illustrated throughout. Scan codes to listen to more great information and stories about more fabulous women on the Rebel Girls App. As always, expect some fun challenges and activities at the end of the book. You can find it on Audible, free for those with a membership, wonderfully narrated with great sound effects. #junkotabeimastersthemountains #rebelgirls #netgalley
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How I read this: Free ebook copy received through NetGalley
I think I have a new hero! Junko Tabei's story is really inspiring. It even sounds kind of like a movie story, and it's hard to believe this was a real, living person. The book is wonderfully illustrated and well written, I absolutely loved it. Plus, you can find all sorts of info about mountain climbing at the end (how to tie knots, how to balance yourself or how to even manage your fears!)
This is a wonderful book for kids, especially for girls who may be doubting their abilities or their strength. Very inspiring.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
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Bookish Twitter -
I am quite liking the
Rebel Girls series as they feature women of colour who have overcome adversity and whom little girls can look to as role models.
Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains is about
Junko Tabei and how she became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and the first woman to climb the highest peak on every continent (aka the Seven Summits).
*** #5 of
my July 20th-26th 2020 Reading Rush Challenge - Read a book completely outside of your house*** -
This historical fiction middle grade novel follows Junko Tabei who was the first woman to climb Mt. Everest. Many readers will appreciate Junko's inner strength as she follows a path unlike the average Japanese girl and woman. In school as a child, Junko was considered small and weak. However, when faced with climbing a mountain, she follows her teacher's advice to do her best and successfully completes the climb. This sparks Junko's life
Omg passion for climbing.
I particularly appreciated the accessibility of the text. This book is written in fairly simple language with a message that rings loud and clear. Junko's care for the environment in her later years is an important facet of a book that demonstrates how to follow your passion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review. -
When she was in primary school she was bookish and not at all atheletic. Then a teacher encouraged her to try mountaineering. Obviously she came to love the challenge.
In 1992, she was the first woman to climb the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent – Kilimanjaro (1980), Mt. Aconcagua (1987), Denali (1988), Mt. Elbrus (1989), Mount Vinson (1991), and Puncak Jaya (1992). Tabei took part in 44 all-female mountaineering expeditions by 2005.
The illustrations by Montse Galbany are simple, delightful, imaginative, and colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Rebel Girls via NetGalley. Thank you! -
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for an e-ARC of this title to read and review. Out of all the series in the Rebel Girls catalog, I would say that this middle grade historical fiction chapter book option is the style I would have loved and devoured most as a kid (in this age group), but like least as an adult reader. They're still really incredible, I'm just more impressed with the biography anthologies as an adult! But, this story of Junko Tabei is probably the exception - it's been my favorite so far in the inspired-fiction works, and I also feel that got to know a lot about the real person from my reading as well. I had never heard of Junko Tabei before, and what a shame! Her life story, talents, and ambitions are so compelling, and it was a treat to read about her in this format. I could totally see younger readers (like my past self) wanting to know more about mountaineering and balancing adventures in life after experiencing this book.
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The Rebel Girl series consists of short chapter book biographies that highlight women who have done extraordinary things or made extraordinary contributions throughout the world. In this volume young readers learn about Junko Tabei, a Japanese woman who was the first woman to summit Everest. The author tells of her childhood, and dislike of physical education. However, when she discovered mountaineering she found her niche. At the time, and in her cultures, this was not really an appropriate activity for a woman. Nevertheless she persevered. The book highlights friendships, marriage, children, and events after Everest, including her ongoing legacy. This is well-written and inspiring. It would be a great read-aloud.
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I had rated the book lower, because I'd read it as a work of non-fiction. Only now, as I was studying the book again to write this review, did I see the note from the publisher on the back of the title page stating that this is fiction. Viewed through that lens, this is a great story for readers 3rd grade and up, telling how a young Japanese girl overcame her own fears and the conventions of the day to become the first woman to summit Mt. Everest.
I do wish the publisher had made the fiction designation more visible and had included some informational back matter, such as a timeline, sample sources and suggestions for readers want to know more. That being said, this is a beautiful little novel that will be easy to recommend to young readers. -
Thank you for sharing this book through NetGalley.
When I started to read this book, I thought I was reading a manga. It's an ordinary Japanese life, the ones I read in manga. And I read a lot of Japanese comic strips.
Then I was waiting for the surprise, like this kind of Rebel Girls book. But unlike most of them, this slow paced book is downright interesting. It brought me to the thing I rarely (or even never) read in any kind of manga: rock climbing. The fun yet difficult activity that needs passion and determination to reach the top.
I end up looking for the photo of Junko Tabei, who is indeed petite, and marveled all over again, how this woman can have a big spirit inside her little body. -
Junko Tabei was the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975 and surprisingly I'd never heard of her! I picked up this book becuase I love the Rebel Girls series so I'll read anything they put out, and this was another wonderful biography. I especially liked this one because Junko was not your typical athletic type to start with but out of a sense of adventure decided to join a school trip to climb a mountain. And, she very nearly didn't make it to the top! She had other setbacks throughout her life as well, but from the support of her family and friends and her persevering spirit she became one of the best in the world. It just goes to show that you never know what hobbies will spark interest so go ahead and try something new and just do your best!
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Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Rebel Girls?
The stories are fantastic, the books are appealing to look at and read, the length of the stories is just right for young readers, and the subject are fantastic!
Rebel Girls is doing a phenomenal job of finding diverse women, and interesting stories about lesser known heroines, to present as inspiration for a generation that has started their intellectual pursuits under much duress.
I just can't wait to have an entire bookshelf dedicated to Rebel Girls and strong women as a beacon to empower the young people (not just girls!) in my life
Thank you Rebel Girls!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. -
I had never heard of Junko Tabei prior to reading this biography for young people. The biography is short, suitable for younger elementary or middle elementary students, and takes the reader through Junko’s life.
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book, they were one of my favorite pieces moving this story along. At times the writing maybe could have flowed a little more nicely, but in terms of overall engagement and interesting information, definitely four stars. I’ll be recommending this one to teachers and school librarians, and checking out more of the series as well.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book to review. -
I thought this was a great biography with gorgeous illustrations. I think younger readers will be able to relate to Junko’s nervousness to try something new, her self-doubt, and being overwhelmed by school and anxiety. I certainly did. But readers will also cheer her on when she discovers a passion for rock climbing and becomes a skilled climber in a time when female climbers were rare.
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One of my favorite parts of the biography talked about how she loved being a mother as much as she loved climbing. Having kids doesn’t mean moms have to stop doing what they are passionate about. It just changes how we go about doing it. -
I truly love this series! And being Japanese this story was really fun to share with my kids. I love the dedication at the front: "No mountain is too high if you put one foot in front of the other." This is truly an inspiring story for boys and girls. Although, I do love giving my girls strong women role models! The pictures are beautiful and help break up the story. I don't know much about mountaineering so it was fun to learn! I love all that Rebel Girls is trying to build in young girls. I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I'll definitely be purchasing a copy!
Thank you Netgalley and Rebel Girls for my review e-copy! -
I cannot believe I loved ‘Junko Tabei Masters The Mountains’ this much!
I started reading it thinking that it was a fiction book about someone mountaineering but I found an amazing story!
The story of Junko Ishibashi, a Japanese young girl that found what would become her passion in an unexpected school trip.
I loved how she fought for what she really wanted despite what her family and school mates said, and despite what society thought about mountaineering being a job for only men.
I have already bought another book in this series and I cannot wait to read it!
