Stepping Up (paperback)

When a sporty teen's leg is crushed in a mountain accident, he has to face new challenges one tiny but huge step at a time.

A fast-paced, powerfully told novel for middle-grade readers about limb loss, resilience and becoming excited about the future again.

What if you took a shortcut below some rocks and your entire life came sliding down? High on the shingle slopes of Pangonui, 14-year-old Ben cuts below a pile of huge, half-buried boulders. All of a sudden there's a terrible sound, and a massive rock is tumbling towards him.

In the painful weeks that follow a surgery to remove Ben's shattered lower leg, his mind to the mountain, his impatience, that split-second decision. Will anything ever be 'normal' again?

One goal keeps him going- he will finish the climb he started.

David Hill is one of the best-loved children's authors living and writing in New Zealand today. His novels for young people range widely and have that rare balance of fast pace, humour and character authenticity that reels in the most reluctant readers. His work has been published all around the world, translated into many languages and has won major awards here and overseas. In 2004 David was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and in 2005 he was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for his significant contribution to children's literature. He is a regular book reviewer and commentator for Radio and The Listener. He was President of Honour of the NZSA 2019-2020. David lives in New Plymouth.

Age: From 10 years

Paperback, 272 pages

H: 197mm W: 133mm Spine: 18mm

Weight: 199 grams