But as soon as Nick arrives, trouble erupts in this remote Burmese elephant village. Japanese soldiers invade, and Nick's father is taken prisoner. Nick is stranded on the plantation, forced to work as a servant to the new rulers. As life in the village grows more dangerous for Nick and his young friend, Mya, they plan their daring escape. Setting off on elephant back, they will risk their lives to save Nick's father and Mya's brother from a Japanese POW camp.
In this thrilling journey through the jungles of Burma, Roland Smith explores the far-reaching effects of World War II, while introducing readers to the fascinating world of wild timber elephants and their mahouts.

It's out of the frying pan and into the fire for 14-year-old Nick Freestone, as he is sent out of London during the Blitz only to arrive at his father's teak plantation in Burma right before the Japanese invade. When his father is taken prisoner and hauled off to a prisoner-of-war camp and the plantation is taken over by the Japanese, Nick eventually escapes and reunites with his father with the help of an ancient Buddhist monk, a beautiful, smart girl named Mya, a Burmese Robin Hood, a rampaging bull elephant and various people resisting the Japanese occupation. It's the thrilling adventure tale Smith is known for, strong on plot and setting, and though the beginning is an uneasy mix of story and information, the tale soon rolls. Adult readers will be reminded of The Bridge on the River Kwai, as the threats of the steamy jungle and the brutality of enemy soldiers are twin complications in a country at war. An adventure tale that is also a family story-as is Smith's other 2007 title, Peak. (Fiction. 10-13)
Kirkus Reviews

As German bombs fall on London, 14-year-old Nick is sent to Burma to live with his British father on their teak plantation. Unforeseen in this plan is the impending invasion that puts them, along with the locals, under Japanese rule. Nick is forced to work on the plantation for the brutal commanders and his father is placed in a labor camp. The boy's predicament escalates as his trust in the Burmese employees who once worked for his father is challenged by their newfound loyalty to the Japanese. Escape through the jungle, with the help of a well-respected monk and great-grandfather to the boy's new friend Mya, is the only way out. This novel is filled with intrigue, danger, surprising plot twists, and suspense. It's a well-developed historical adventure with villains and heroes that describes aspects of British colonization, forced occupation, and World War II.
School Library Journal

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He wants Peak to be the youngest person to reach the Everest summit--and his motives are selfish at best. Even so, for a climbing addict like Peak, tackling Everest is the challenge of a lifetime. But it's also one that could cost him his life.

Peak wins the National Outdoor Book Award!
Miami Herald Best Kid's Books for 2007.
Peak makes the 2008/2009 Texas Lone Star Reading List.
Booklist Editor's Choice, 2007
ALA 2008 Best books for Young Adults
ALA 2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
ALA 2008 Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults

Click  screen to see a short clip of me talking about Peak for Scholastic Book Fairs.

Order the book today at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Powells.

Teachers!  Curriculum for Peak is available.  It is absolutely free.  All you have to do is download it.

What the critics are saying about Peak!

This is a thrilling, multifaceted adventure story . Booklist

If you know a recalcitrant reader, a teen or preteen perhaps, who swears that he could more easily scale Mount Everest than finish a novel, try handing him a copy of Peak. Christian Science Monitor

Deftly developed characters who matter and a gritty story line packed with the intrigue and challenge of serious mountain climbing for serious stakes make this book a riveting read for reluctant and experienced readers alike. VOYA

Peak's first-person narration, evolves into a gripping story that pulls no punches about the toll Everest exacts on body and psyche alike. Horn Book

The narrative offers enough of a bumpy ride to satisfy thrill seekers while Peak’s softer reflective quality lends depth and…emotional resonance. Kirkus

…the perfect antidote for a kid who thinks books are boring. The nifty plotting, gripping story line and Peak's assured delivery give those who join this expedition much to savor. Publisher’s Weekly

A well-crafted plot and exotic setting give the novel great appeal to survival adventure fans. School Library Journal

Magnificent, enthralling, and entertaining. Peak’s journey is about much more than the character’s assent of a mountain . Pam Munoz Ryan , author of Esperanza Rising

Everything a great adventure story should be and a whole lot more—with powerful, unforgettable characters and a driving can’t-put-it-down plot. Terry Trueman, author of Stuck in Neutral

“An” adrenaline laced novel…  Chicago Tribune

(All Peak Reviews)

Here’s a wonderful review from my friend Jonathan Downes—fearless leader of the Centre For Fortean Zoology in the latest edition of The Journal of the Centre for Fortean Zoology. You can visit their webpage to learn about cryptids and cryptozoology.

Whereas most review books turn up in these columns because either we have learned about the book somewhere, and telephoned up the publisher to blag a copy, or because either the author or publisher has sent us a copy on spec hoping that we would be interested. This review, however, is unique in my 20 odd years of writing book reviews, because I received it as a wedding present! When Corinna and I got married last summer, amongst our wedding gifts was this book, from our friend, and CFZ Indiana representative, Elizabeth Clem. We thanked her, and the book joined the teetering pile of books waiting to be read which graces my side of the marital bed.

Much to my embarrassment, it was only a few days in bed with a bug about three weeks ago that spurred me into finally reading it, and I have only one word for it: MAGNIFICENT. I am not a fan of crypto-fiction as a whole, and to be quite honest I find much contemporary juvenilia too refined and PC for my liking, but this book is a veritable tour de force. It tells the story of twelve year old twins who – following the disappearance of their parents – go to live with an eccentric uncle who happens to be a cryptozoologist. They soon find themselves embroiled in a life and death struggle to find the last clutch of the eggs of the Mokčlč-mbembč, and save them from a satisfyingly nasty corporate villain.

The hero, Wolfe, is unusual, in that he is a disabled, big bloke with long hair and an unkempt beard. Being such a fellow myself, I am always pleased when authors resist the temptation to make their characters identikit G.I. Joes, with short back and sides, and bodies in perfect working order.

So I checked out the author’s website, and wrote to him, and it turned out that Senor Smith is actually a member of the CFZ. To might slight embarrassment, but great pride, he wrote: “I actually thought about you when I was developing Wolfe and Marty… There is a bit of you in both of them.” It is all very gratifying, but I hope that you realize what you have done Mr. Smith! My nieces and nephews will never be satisfied with jut paying a visit to Uncle Jon now – they will all demand adventures like this one!

A smashing book. Despite my unwitting role within it, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Jonathan Downes

But betraying a man as powerful as Alonzo has consequences. The Osbornes have spent the last year in hiding, forced to take on new identities and live under the close surveillance of the Witness Security program. Now, with his trial date fast approaching, Alonzo intensifies his hunt for Jack's family. One slipup, and Alonzo will find them, making sure no Osborne survives to testify against him. Jack has messed up once before, and he won't do it again. Unfortunately, someone else in the family hasn't been as careful...Read the first chapter of Jack’s Run here. The paperback version is now available at Amazon, Barnes&Noble or Powells.

If you get a chance to read it, drop me an email and let me know what you think. Or, post a message on the message board. And don't forget my other adventure that came out this year, "Cryptid Hunters." I would love to hear what think about this novel as well.

Teachers and Librarians check out Erahm and John's documentary: Teen Truth. It's a wonderful, moving, and extremely important piece of work that should be viewed by every student in the U.S. See the movie trailer .