Jordan Romero climbed Mount Everest at age thirteen—and he didn’t stop there. In this inspiring young adult memoir, he tells how he achieved such great heights. On May 22, 2010, at the age of thirteen, American teenager Jordan Romero became the youngest person to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. At fifteen, he became the youngest person to reach the summits of the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents. In this energizing memoir for young adults, Jordan, now seventeen, recounts his experience, which started as a spark of an idea at the age of nine and, many years of training and hard work later, turned into a dream come true. Gr 6 Up—At the age of 15, Romero became the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits, the tallest mountain on each continent. He set this goal for himself at age nine, when he saw a mural on the wall of his elementary school and wondered what it would be like to stand on each of those peaks. Other parents might postpone such lofty aspirations, but Jordan's father and stepmother, extreme adventure racers who compete all over the world, encouraged him. Neighbors, friends, and corporations helped with sponsorships and fund-raisers, while Romero's parents trained and accompanied him. From their first climb, Mount Kilimanjaro, where he set the record as a 10-year-old, to Everest at a record-setting 13, each peak presented unique and more difficult challenges. LeBlanc has written about mountaineering and of Everest, but Romero's voice comes through, as he excitedly describes, in first-person narrative, his emotions, hardships, occasional doubts, and reactions to foreign countries and cultures. It takes a certain amount of self-confidence to attempt and to persevere in the face of such an overwhelming task, and it is obvious that Romero has the bravado to do what many critics told him he couldn't. He continues to inspire young people to lead healthier lives and to follow their dreams with his 50-state "Find Your Everest tour," speaking about the importance of spending time outdoors, as well as climbing the highest peak in each state. Although the length of the book may be intimidating, it is an easy read and will appeal to adventure seekers.—MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NY "Romero's incredible, inspiring story may not inspire all readers to become record-setting mountaineers, but it will motivate them to set sights on goals of their own to achieve." ― Kirkus Reviews Jordan Romero, born July 12, 1996, is an American mountain climber who on May 22, 2010, at the age of thirteen, became the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. By December 25, 2011, at the age of fifteen, he became the youngest person to climb to the summit of the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. He is now touring the United States, climbing the tallest peak in each of the fifty states. He lives in Big Bear Lake, California. No Summit out of Sight CHAPTER 1 It was the first day of fourth grade when I told my dad I had decided to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents: the Seven Summits. I was nine, and all summer long I’d been thinking about a mural on the wall of my elementary school, which laid out each of the Seven Summits and their elevations. I’d passed it every day on my way to and from recess, all through third grade. Other kids hardly seemed to notice it in their rush to play soccer or basketball, but I often stopped and stared, mesmerized by those mountains. What would it be like to stand on their summits and gaze across entire continents? I wanted to find out. One thing you should know about me: When I get interested in something, I become a fanatic and learn everything I can about it. When I was younger and got interested in reptiles, I learned everything there was to know about every species. Now my interest turned to mountains. I’ve always jumped into new interests with both feet, especially if they have to do with the outdoors. I’ve never been into playing video games or watching TV. Practically from the moment I could walk, I was outdoors—chasing lizards, riding my bike, skateboarding, and skiing. Especially skiing. That was my passion. But I couldn’t stop thinking about those mountains. Over the summer between third and fourth grades, I did Internet searches to read about the summits. I made lists of their locations, their elevations, and the best routes to the top of each. Along the way I discovered that there were people who had made it a goal to climb all seven. I decided I could do that. I was the ultimate goal setter, so at that age I already understood that things didn’t always happen instantly. But that was okay. I was also extremely patient. And frankly, I didn’t think the idea would shock my dad that much. My dad and my stepmom, Karen, are professional athletes. They compete in extreme adventure races all over the world. It’s a crazy sport. They race nonstop on foot, on bicycles, in kayaks and canoes, and even on h