Excellent story, easy to read for younger children, and inspirational. Part of the Rebel Girls series of books, it follows the life of Junko Tabei, a girl with no athletic ability who learns to become a hiker--and then a mountain climber. Interspersed with Japanese cultural references and mountaineering, it is a quick and easy read for higher level readers but also doable for younger readers as well.

What a superb message for our young people - you do not have to be brilliant at something to be passionate about it. Pursuing an interest with zeal and practising can make you successful. Junko was terrible at school sports. She was small and weak. On her first mountaineering trip, she felt useless... until she reached the summit and felt alive. In Japan, she was expected to marry after finishing school, but Junko wanted to try university in Tokyo and return to the joy of climbing. She did not find it easy, but she loved it. Her journey took her to some of the most challenging climbs in the world. What an inspirational woman and superb example of the importance of not giving up when things are difficult. Perfect read for young chapter readers. Beautifully illustrated throughout. Scan codes to listen to more great information and stories about more fabulous women on the Rebel Girls App. As always, expect some fun challenges and activities at the end of the book. #junkotabeimastersthemountains #rebelgirls #netgalley

Another famous woman I got to know through the great Rebel Girls series. This is about a "small and week" girl who´s not into athletics at all but learns to climb even higher mountains in spite of her parents wanting her to marry soon in Japan after WWII. She knows it´s about setting one foot after the other and achieves a lot in the sports she loves. I liked the usual lovely descriptions and pictures as well as the additions for (not only) children in the end.
Thanks to Rebel Girls and Netgalley for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains was a book both my daughter and I enjoyed. We liked reading her story and how she overcame her obstacles was inspiring!

Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains is the story of the titular woman who became a very accomplished mountain climber. I had never heard of Junko before, but find that this version of her story is highly engrossing and approachable. It is much more memorable than simply reading a list or sentence of what she did that makes her such a great woman in history.

Rebel Girls is doing a great job of diversifying its series and providing new ways of exploring women's history!

Rebel Girls continues to expand the stories about inspirational women who have made history just by following their passions. Junko Tabei is not athletic but she decides to climb Mt. Everest. Follow her story as she works to accomplish her goals and all she had to do to make it happen. My granddaughter enjoyed this and is a strong willed girl who is learning you can do anything you want if you work hard enough. Thank you Rebel Girls for another great story.

nonfiction, biographical-novel, Japan, mountaineering, capable,*****

When she was in primary school she was bookish and not at all atheletic. Then a teacher encouraged her to try mountaineering. Obviously she came to love the challenge.
In 1992, she was the first woman to climb the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent – Kilimanjaro (1980), Mt. Aconcagua (1987), Denali (1988), Mt. Elbrus (1989), Mount Vinson (1991), and Puncak Jaya (1992). Tabei took part in 44 all-female mountaineering expeditions by 2005.
The illustrations by Montse Galbany are simple, delightful, imaginative, and colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Rebel Girls via NetGalley. Thank you!

I received an electronic ARC from Rebel Girls through NetGalley.
This may be my favorite of the biographies in this series. Readers meet Junko Tabei and see how she overcame stereotypes and expectations to become one of the top mountain climber in the world. They see her persevere as a child and adult with support from family members and a caring teacher. This series presents a realistic look at the women's lives and offers encouragement for readers to find their own causes and passions.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This book tells the story of Junko Tabei and how she never gave up her dreams of mountain climbing. At first, she was scared and wasn’t sure if it was for her. But she kept at it and overcame her fears and became one of the most famous and celebrated mountain climbers.

I received a copy of the book by NetGalley but the opinions in this review are my own.

This series by Rebel Girls is really enjoyable. I am liking the fact they are giving these extraordinary women more space, that children everywhere are able to learn in more detail the lives of these heroines. Junko Tabei's story in particular is great. It shows that you do not need to be born with a natural physical talent to succeed, and that hard work and perseverance are really all that matters. The last few pages of the book with knot teaching are great as well, very ludic.

Getting the notification that I have another Rebel Girls book to read always makes for the best day ever. Sitting down with a cup of tea, I was thrilled to learn about the wonderful Junko Tabei.
Not only are these books fantastic tools for young readers, but I am always blown away by what I learn as an adult reader. The story of Junko Tabei will have any reader ready to climb a mountain, a physical or mental one!

This is a short easy read for the intended audience, but the author chose the right moments to highlight. From her lack of athleticism, to having a teacher believing in her, to finding the right people to guide her in her journey this story teaches girls how to keep going. Despite the avalanche on Mount Everest, Junko was determined to make it to the top and she succeeded. She did great things for the climbing community in her lifetime to help not just women, but anyone have the opportunity to climb.

Thank you Rebel Girls and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Loving the story-telling aspect of the Rebel Girls chapter books. The storytelling aspect and the pictures make the biographies easy to read and understand for young readers.
I'm looking forward to getting these books for young readers in my family.

I would like to thank Rebel Girls for providing me with an ARC.

This book was great. I loved the themes and easy way it was to connect with how Junko Tabei was written in this book. I loved the illustrations. The activities in the back were great with how they connected into the narrative.

JUNKO TABEI MASTERS THE MOUNTAINS is a ten-chapter middle-grade book with some illustrations throughout and an afterword.

The illustration style is the same as the other Rebel Girls middle-grade chapter books.

Like other Rebel Girls books, there are activities in the back and they are tied to a charity/organization with a mission statement similar to what Tabei's work was about.

Thank you to Rebel Girls for pre-approving me for a copy of this book.

Review to come February 18th on blog/goodreads/amazon.

nother woman I don’t know. Or well, I probably know her as I have read books about mountains and mountaineering before, but again, I just cannot remember everything that I read. In this book we follow the dreams and more of Junko Tabei. A girl born in Japan in WWII and this book takes place after all that. When Junko discovers mountaineering/hiking and how she at first struggles but then completely falls in love with it. But we see that it isn’t easy. She is a girl in Japan just after the war. She is supposed to get married. Thankfully, her dad is supportive and allows her to study and also supports her with her mountain/hiking. I just adored seeing Junko climb more mountains, find a club that is OK with her climbing, and also making friends. It isn’t always easy but I just loved seeing Junko persevere and climb higher and higher mountains. Make great plans. And I am also so happy for her that she found a husband who is also into mountaineering/hiking and also supports his wife. I had a laugh when she told him about Everest and he wanted to first make a baby with her. XD I can imagine that if your loved one is gone for months, maybe longer, that you want to have someone around, someone who reminds you of your wife. Someone to take care of. I loved what happens after, see Junko continue on with her dreams. See her push through! There were some sad moments, but mostly beautiful inspiring moments.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review*

I mean I love Rebel Girls. This amazing story is about a fierce girl who against all odds was the first female who got to the top of Mount Everest. Even if they tell you you can't do it, and they don't believe in you, if YOU believe in yourself you can achieve ANYTHING you WANT. Every girl who's told she's not good enough, not strong enough, not...enough, should read this book to see that they're wrong. YOU can do it.. Even if you are all but just...a girl!

Me, I had no idea that this absolutely awesome and absolutely fab woman ever existed and lead the life she did! I never knew of her, the one who conquered mount Everest fearlessly. So well written!
I cannot express my gratitude enough to the Rebel Girls team for creating all those books. The world so desperately needs more, more, more proof that women can do anything, can achieve anything, and that we are not just the second sex.
Somehow every Rebel Girls book I read later on gets added to my book shopping cart and then gets gifted to tween girls who have any celebratory event where a gift is due. Those books make me feel like I am on a mission to spread feminism and empowerment, one book at a time.

A great example to all girls. We can do hard things! The story of this phenomenal woman is inspiring and well told. I love her journey and passion for what she loved doing. This book also has some great information and fun activities at the end for anyone interested in mountaineering. Great book for anyone looking for some motivation to follow through on your passions and goals.

Told in a friendly manner by Rebel Girls, this story is of Junko Tabei, a female mountaineer who was the first woman to summit mount Everest. Starting the story when Tabei first got the opportunity to learn about and experience mountaineering shows the range of emotions one can feel when trying something new. This is a detail I loved in this book because these emotions are so important to showcase, especially to learners that may be looking to try something new but might be nervous. Following Tabei throughout her schooling career, which lead her to Tokoyo, this is where Tabei was able to really start exploring mountains. After this point, Tabei was able to find her support system and people who would support her desires.
The story in this book is followed by some great activities, from learning to tie knots to reflecting on conquering fears.