Have you ever woken above clouds? Greeted by a rising fire that crests on a wave in a simmering sea of ice and mist and wonder? Or watched the light spread out from a peak, over the land, to the farthest dark edge like a hand? Junko Tabei did. And when she was a child, she inhaled that wonder, falling in love with the summits and slopes and the giant rocky ribs of our planet.

When she sought opportunities to climb, she found that, unlike the wild, which doesn’t care if you are a boy or a girl, other people placed limits on her opportunities because of her gender.

But Tabei did not give up. Instead, she listened to that voice within that said, “Climb.”

Photo: Susannah Richards.

I began writing Up, Up, Ever Up! in 2020 when the world was in lockdown. Unable to go on my usual hikes, I remembered a person I had first learned about in high school: Junko Tabei. Inspired by her determination, bravery, and commitment to humanitarian and environmental work, I wanted to share her story with young people.

Researching a story is much like planning an expedition. You must choose a trail, gather your supplies, pack, and dress for the journey you’ve selected. The route will be slippery, but there will also be some fantastic surprises. While I knew my destination was a picture-book biography, I didn’t yet understand the terrain, the challenges, or the obstacles I would encounter.

To gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable woman, I reached out to the Junko Tabei Foundation and Tabei’s family, as well as her friends and colleagues at the Himalayan Association of Japan, ultimately connecting with people who had climbed with her, including Ms. Setsuko Kitamura, a member of the 1975 Everest team.

[Read Horn Book reviews of the 2025 BGHB Nonfiction winners.]

My text celebrates the unhurried simplicity of time spent in nature, inviting readers to think about how we can live in harmony with others and the world. It also highlights both the beauty and the challenges of Tabei’s climb. I wrote each word in motion during early morning hikes.

When the ground was crisp and the sky blank, I inhaled the damp of morning: the earth, the pine, the wildflowers in the rolling hills of my hometown in Canada. And I wrote about the wonder of the wild, and one person, Junko Tabei, who was determined to explore it, share it, and protect it.

Like Tabei’s climb, a book requires a team effort to get to publication. I want to extend my gratitude to illustrator Yuko Shimizu, who worked tirelessly; my incredible editor, Kate O’Sullivan; the entire team at Clarion/HarperCollins; and my supportive agent, Lori Steel.

I am also thankful for my family, who listened, as well as my dog, Lenny, who accompanied me while I wrote this book.

Thank you to the Horn Book, the Boston Globe, and the awards selection committee for this incredible honor. And congratulations to all 2025 Boston Globe–Horn Book winners and honorees.

To all young people, I say: look to Junko Tabei. Step outside your door! You have the power to make a difference and achieve your dreams, step by step; up, up, ever up!

From the January/February 2026 issue of The Horn Book Magazine. For more on the 2025 Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards, click on the tag BGHB25.

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