Uncharted Territory — Rae Richen

Uncharted Territory is a coming-of-age story for young adults and adults who enjoy a triumph of life over fear. Jack is a high school track star and a mountain climber -- skills he shares with his famous, but demanding father. In his junior year, a climb with his father in the Oregon Cascades becomes a disaster, almost killing Jack and threatening to destroy his family.While recovering, Jack must develop the courage to confront his emotionally remote father and forge a deeper relationship.Uncharted Territory has been called "a remarkable novel, evoking, with fresh insight, the complexity and fragility of families, of relationships, and of life itself. It's heart-wrenching, funny, profoundly real, and unforgettable --a book that will have a long afterlife." Molly Gloss, author of The Hearts of Horses.Jennie Shortridge, author of When She Flew, writes, "Uncharted Territory is the story of a son and father who face challenges in the physical world with skill and great strength, and who must learn to do the same with the people they love, including each other. Told in fast paced, meaty prose, this story pulls the reader along from harrowing adventure to adventure, with sensitivity and an eye for beautiful detail. A great read for teens and parents both, especially when shared."Larry Brooks, author of the award-winning blog Storyfix.com, and of Story Engineering, and Story Physics, reviews Uncharted Territory with these thoughts:"Rae Richen writes with a deft touch that penetrates the reader long after the book hits the shelf for the night. Her story is deep and rich, with a voice not unlike a young John Irving. Highly recommended."