No Barriers (The Young Adult Adaptation): A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon

by Erik Weihenmayer, Buddy Levy

Overview

2018 Colorado Book Awards finalist in the Creative Nonfiction and National Bestseller and Honorable Mention Award Winner in the Outdoor Literature category of the 2017 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA) — “A beautiful book about family and finding a way to achieve more than you ever thought possible.” —Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author

Erik Weihenmayer has a long history of turning obstacles into adventures. Born with a rare condition that blinded him as a teenager, he never let his diagnosis hold him back from a full life. As an athlete, explorer, speaker and activist, he has opened the eyes of people around the world to what's possible. In 2001, he became the first blind man to climb Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. In 2005, he co-founded his nonprofit organization, No Barriers, to empower others to overcome adversity and achieve their biggest goals.

This special edition of No Barriers introduces kids to the incredible true story of Erik's most terrifying journey: solo kayaking the thunderous whitewater of the Grand Canyon. Erik and his friends form a courageous crew to do battle with some of the harshest elements nature has to offer. Along the course of Erik's journey, he meets other trailblazers: adventurers, scientists, artists, and activists who show Erik the way forward and teach him the meaning of No Barriers—“What’s Within You is Stronger Than What’s in Your Way.”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250206770
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/27/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	134,214
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1010L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Erik Weihenmayer is a bestselling author, athlete, adventurer, and motivational speaker. He is the author of the bestsellers Touch the Top of the World and The Adversity Advantage. He co-founded No Barriers USA, which empowers people to break through barriers, find their inner purpose and contribute their very best to the world. Erik lives in Colorado.

Buddy Levy is an author, educator, journalist and speaker. His books include American Legend, Conquistador, River of Darkness and Geronimo. He is a Clinical Professor of English at Washington State University. He lives in Idaho.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Prologue 1

1 Vision 7

2 The Dream Factory 21

3 Blind Summit 37

4 Alchemy 68

5 Déséquilibre 80

6 The Bucket Champion 96

7 Leading the Way 111

8 Anita, My Love 125

9 A Grain of Sand 134

10 The Adventure Glutton 150

11 Arjun's Playground 160

12 "Not My Yak!" 183

13 The Gates of Lodore 196

14 Bath Towels and Packing Tape 216

15 Soldiers to Summits 240

16 The Open-Heart Policy 253

17 Whirlpools 268

18 Eighteen Clicks 293

19 The Other Blind Guy 315

20 The Blindest Man in the World 325

21 Eddied Out 342

22 Smile 359

23 The Weight of Water 378

24 Flow 403

25 Lava 420

Epilogue 439

Acknowledgments 457

Editorial Reviews

A wonderful tribute to the greatness of the human spirit.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“No Barriers is amazing. Erik’s story is an inspiration to all of us.” —Mark Burnett, TV producer

“A shining testament...Weihenmayer’s powers of discernment are acute, startling, and deeply inspirational.” —Kevin Fedarko, New York Times bestselling author of The Emerald Mile

From the Publisher

07/26/2019

Gr 7–10-Despite the amazing and nearly supernatural achievements of Weihenmayer, who lost his sight at the age of 13 and went on to become the first blind man to climb Mt. Everest, among other accolades, this book isn't as thrilling or moving as one would have thought. Instead of being enthralled, readers are buried under an avalanche of details. Perhaps a dedicated kayaker or a mountain climber will be captivated by the descriptions of each trial, setback, and stage that the author went through to get past the fabled Lava Falls in the Grand Canyon. No one can say that his accomplishments aren't spectacular and worthy of study, but this book, adapted for young people, falls flat. The narrative is very matter of fact, with little emotion attached. Weihenmayer depends on many different people along the way, but there's little sense of why they are giving so much to help the author reach his goals. Although Weihenmayer's family appears to be proud of their son, they are largely absent from the narrative. VERDICT Extreme sports enthusiasts will surely enjoy and certainly learn from Weihenmayer's mistakes and triumphs. But for everyday spectators? Not so much. A rare case where the movie might be more engaging than the book.-Janet Gross, Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, MA

School Library Journal

2019-06-05
An adaptation for teens of blind sportsman Weihenmayer's 2017 memoir of the same name.

The prologue offers a brief overview of Weihenmayer's life, from losing his vision completely just before entering high school to his accomplishment as the first blind person to summit Mount Everest in 2001. The leader of this expedition told him not to make Everest the greatest thing he ever did, so the following year, he made another mark, becoming the first blind person to scale all of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent. When a young quadruple amputee working toward his goal of climbing Kilimanjaro inspires Erik to solidify his own dream of kayaking the Grand Canyon, he begins several years of grueling preparation. A year before embarking on the trip, he's dismayed to find out he won't be the first blind person to kayak all 277 miles of the Grand Canyon, but he pushes his jealousy aside and invites the man, retired Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell, to join his all-male team. Weihenmayer's voice is clear, direct, and honest, and his descriptions of learning how to navigate white water rapids as a blind person vividly convey his frustrations and triumphs. This story of human versus nature will appeal to readers who enjoy wilderness and survival stories.

A gripping tale for dreamers, thinkers, and adventurers. (glossary) (Memoir. 13-17)

Kirkus Reviews

09/12/2016
Named after Weihenmayer’s support organization, this memoir reads like an extension of its mission statement, right down to the concluding “No Barriers Pledges.” After Weihenmayer (Touch the Top of the World), a blind adventurist, scales Mt. Everest, his expedition leader advises him not to let that be “the greatest thing you ever do.” Weihenmayer, an American, takes the advice, leading blind Tibetan children and veterans on climbs and conducting countless other courageous feats. Spinning minutia as intimacy is an unexpected, unpleasant wrinkle. The book is part Facebook post (“The journey began to take on a metaphorical meaning”) and part résumé, detailing Weihenmayer’s personal and professional travails en route to the goal mentioned in the title. Weihenmayer’s inability to pare down the selection of anecdotes—all covered in CEO life lesson–speak or ponderous dialogue straight from gift-store inspirational storybooks (“In your talk, Erik, I remember you referring to an internal light that exists in people”)—makes it impossible to care. This is heroism as a reference book. The amount of material is so mind-numbing and the diversions from the ultimate goal are so numerous that the only thing readers will be amazed by is that Weihenmayer’s accomplishments manage to be boring. Two 16-page color photo inserts. (Feb. 2017)

Publishers Weekly