A Mighty Wall.
Foley, John (author).
Apr. 2009. 192p. Flux, paperback, $9.95 (9780738714486). Grades 7-10.
REVIEW. First published March 1, 2009 (Booklist).
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The cover image of a figure dangling from an impossibly steep cliff implies that this is an outdoor thriller. In fact, it is a rather sensitive coming-of-age drama—with plenty of exciting rock climbing, too. Jordan works at a climbing gym and hits the crags at every opportunity. It is his all-consuming passion—until Juana enters his life. Fortunately this new-girl-in-town is also a climber, and many pages are spent describing the forays Jordan enjoys with his girlfriend, mom, and best friend. There’s no doubt Foley has done his homework; hardly a page goes by without some mention of a crampon, carabiner, or belay device. The authenticity carries over to Foley’s characters, and while the dialogue is stiff in places, the guy-centric story is appropriately laden with trash talk, vulgarisms, girls, and beer. The tragedy that ultimately unfolds informs Foley’s theme of controlling fear, and throughout it all he maintains a nice balance between action and sentiment.
— Daniel Kraus