Ski Soldier: A World War II Biography

by Louise Borden

Overview

Ski Soldier is a true-life adventure story that tells the story of Pete Seibert, a ski soldier severely wounded in World War II, who went on to found the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado.

Ever since he first strapped on his mother's wooden skis when he was seven, Pete Seibert always loved to ski. At 18, Pete enlisted in the U.S. Army and joined the 10th Mountain Division, soldiers who fought on skis in World War II. In the mountains of Italy, Pete encountered the mental and physical horrors of war. When he was severely wounded and sent home to recover, Pete worried that he might never ski again. But with perseverance and the help of other 10th Mountain ski soldiers, he took to the slopes again and fulfilled his boyhood dream--founding the famous ski resort in Vail, Colorado

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684371471
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	09/11/2018
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Louise Borden is the author of thirty books for children including The Journey that Saved Curious George, illustrated by Allan Drummond, and Baseball Is . . . , illustrated by Raul Colon. A lifelong reader and traveler as well as a former bookstore owner, Louise has spoken in hundreds of schools across America and lives with her husband Peter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bordens have three grown children.

Editorial Reviews

Borden’s insightful biography, written in verse form, is highly readable and distinguished by the generous collection of period black-and-white photographs that illustrate it.  It’s a treat for both ski buffs and military history fans.” — Booklist

“(T)old in brief lyrical passages composed of short groups of lines and accompanied by numerous photos, quotes, and maps... A true story of valor, stamina, and dedication. Seibert's exciting biography will appeal to fans of sports and adventure stories.” –School Library Journal

“In spare, brief free-verse lines that will enable readers' eyes to slide effortlessly down the pages, Borden relates the story of a boy who grew up skiing…(a)n accurate, high-interest narrative focused on a mature topic but written at an accessible reading level is a rare gem. Many period photographs are included…as is excellent backmatter. A fascinating and inspiring tale.” – Kirkus Reviews

“(A) unique story of mountain soldiers that fans of World War II will find intriguing…(E)ducators and librarians seeking nonfiction titles with appeal to reluctant readers and history fans should add this book to their shelves.” -VOYA

“This biography is easy to read…(T)he life of Pete (and) the brief glimpse of the 10th Mountain Division is unique and interesting, as are the views of some of the men comprising the Division.” – School Library Connection

“(The) storytelling (is) concise and the reading experience swift…Readers in search of a compact biography for report writing or a lesser-known story from World War II may want to give this consideration.” - The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

06/01/2018
Gr 4–8—As a seven year old, Peter Seibert became obsessed with skiing when he discovered on old pair of skis in his family barn. Little did he know that his passion for the slopes would take him halfway around the world from the battlefields of World War II to a world-renowned ski resort in Vail, CO. At 18, Pete enlisted in the 10th Mountain Division. After rigorous and often brutal training, he led his platoon in a successful stealth attack on the overlook held by German soldiers in northern Italy. However, Seibert was severely wounded by mortar fire during the attack against Mount Belvedere, a strategic German stronghold, and spent years recovering from his wounds. He struggled to walk so that he could once again ski. His story is told in brief lyrical passages composed of short groups of lines and accompanied by numerous photos, quotes, and maps. VERDICT A true story of valor, stamina, and dedication. Seibert's exciting biography will appeal to fans of sports and adventure stories.—MaryAnn Karre, Binghamton, NY

School Library Journal

2018-06-25
Born in Massachusetts, Peter Seibert loved to ski. It was only natural that he would enlist during World War II in the 10th Mountain Division to serve as a soldier who fought on skis.In spare, brief free-verse lines that will enable readers' eyes to slide effortlessly down the pages, Borden relates the story of a boy who grew up skiing, doing whatever he could to get out on the snow. Talented and skillful, Seibert was winning races in his teens. After enlisting, followed by many months of training in the Rocky Mountains, he was sent to war in Italy's Apennines, towering heights that were held by the Germans in seemingly unassailable positions. Hiking up in darkness and snow, Seibert's division positioned itself for a surprise dawn attack, described with ample suspense. Although that attack was successful, only days later Seibert would be badly injured in another battle, ending his war but beginning a long recuperation driven by his determination to ski again. Like many members of the Mountain Division, Seibert was a pioneer in the American ski industry and would go on to found the ski resort of Vail. An accurate, high-interest narrative focused on a mature topic but written at an accessible reading level is a rare gem. Many period photographs are included (revealing Seibert and his fellows to be white), as is excellent backmatter.A fascinating and inspiring tale. (Verse nonfiction. 10-16)

Kirkus Reviews