I Don't Do Mountains

By Author / Illustrator

Barbara Henderson

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Scottish Mountaineering Club

ISBN

9781907233548

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

17-03-2025

Synopsis

Adventures are good things for people in books. But I am not a person in a book. I am Kenzie. I like to READ about adventures, not actually have them. A hillwalking expedition? With a group of strangers AND Sorley Mackay, the most annoying boy in the universe?

Bookworm Kenzie can't believe her bad luck when her teacher announces plans for a three-day hillwalking expedition into the Cairngorms. She tries everything to get out of the trip, but soon the group heads to the hills with mountain leader Bairdy and set up camp for the night. Bairdy's stories of ancient magic fill Kenzie's mind, but in the cold light of morning, they discover that the mountain leader has vanished, his tent left untouched. They are alone.

I Don't Do Mountains is an adventure story first and foremost, but in Barbara's vivid first-person narrative, readers can travel to the windy peaks of Scotland's wilderness, and survive, even thrive, like Kenzie and her friends.

Reviews

Sue

Kenzie likes to read about adventures, but has no desire to take part in one. She doesn't like strangers and barely does friends so she's not thrilled when she finds out that she is expected to go on a hillwalking expedition with pupils from another school and Sorley Mackay, the most annoying boy in her class. Despite all her best efforts to get out of it, Kenzie finds herself heading into the hills. Their group leader Bairdy's love of the countryside is infectious, sharing stories of their ancient myths and legends around the camp fire. But when he is missing the following morning, Kenzie and the rest of the group find themselves alone on the mountain.

Wonderfully atmospheric, I Don’t Do Mountains! is a cracking adventure, celebrating the beauty of the Scottish mountains and the importance of cherishing it. Told through Kenzie's voice, readers can really engage with this quirky, book-loving girl and enjoy following her, as she develops in confidence, resilience and the ability to warm to, and makes friends with, others.

Friendship, the uncertainties of transition to secondary school and making connections are all explored through the story as Kenzie, with Sorley, Mariam and Rupert have to work together, very much out of their comfort zones, to survive the wilderness - and save the wildlife. Themes of conservation, land management and the protection of wildlife are all woven into the story, raising awareness of these issues, encouraging readers to take an interest in the joys of the natural world and perhaps inspiring them to explore the outdoors.

Vividly written, the book is full of wonderful descriptions of the mountains and the intriguing folklore surrounding them. An excellent read, enhanced by beautiful drawings scattered throughout.

162 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher