About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
DJ is David McLean's eldest grandson, so it stands to reason that he be the one to scatter his beloved grandfather's ashes. At least that's how DJ sees it. He's always been the best at everything—sports, school, looking after his fatherless family—so climbing Kilimanjaro is just another thing he'll accomplish almost effortlessly. Or so he thinks, until he arrives in Tanzania and everything starts to go wrong. He's detained at immigration, he gets robbed, his climbing group includes an old lady and he gets stuck with the first ever female porter. Forced to go polepole (slowly), DJ finds out the hard way that youth, fitness level and drive have nothing to do with success on the mountain—or in life.
DJ's adventures start in Jungle Land, part of The Seven Prequels and continue in Sleeper, part of The Seven Sequels.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- , Forest of Reading Red Maple Award
- Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA)
- Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks
- Commended, TriState Young Adult Book Review Committee Book of Note
Editorial Reviews
"A story of determination and will that forces the characters to reconsider what is truly important in life and why they are really climbing the mountain."
— YALSA YA Galley Teen Review
"I would highly recommend this for any collection needing a fast paced quick read including a boy and an adventure. The story was well written and the characterization was well thought out. This would be a great story even for reluctant readers."
— Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON)
"Strikingly realistic...It really made me want to experience the climb for myself."
— YALSA YA Galley Teen Review
"An amazing book…Between Heaven and Earth will leave readers wanting to read the rest of the series!"
— YALSA YA Galley Teen Review
"I enjoyed how DJ was able to relate to the Tanzanians and how the characters helped each other in their climb up the mountain. I recommend it as a fast, fun read."
— Teen reviewer, San Francisco Book Review
"The rich setting and the thrilling details of the climb will make readers yearn for their own adventure. However, graphic descriptions of altitude sickness and stomach-twisting trail food leave no false illusions that the journey will be an easy one...Richly detailed and satisfying."
— Kirkus Reviews
"Walters is known for action-adventure novels that appeal to boys, and his latest project, Seven (The Series), is no exception...A solid outdoor adventure story."
— Quill & Quire
"While DJ’s overconfidence makes it hard to root for him at first, his growth along the way soon transforms him into a more palatable hero. The biggest draw, though, is Walter's keen attention to atmosphere, detail, and setting—Mount Kilimanjaro is a character unto itself. "
— Publishers Weekly
"Excellent resource for middle schools. Boys will love it."
— TriState YA Book Review Committee
"Walters' style is, as usual, quick and catchy, but smooth and engaging at the same time. His characters are well-developed, focusing mainly on three people, DJ, Sarah, and Doris, as they struggle to make their way toward the summit and deposit DJ's grandfather's ashes....Walters' has written a fantastic story that will capture the attention of young readers and keep them engaged until the last page...Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine
"[The] adventures are exciting and readers will be anxious to pick up the next book in the series. Great for middle grade boys who want realistic fiction with action and suspense."
— NJ Youth Services
