RUNNING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD
A story of adventure, survival, courage, and hope, set in the vivid Himalayan landscape of Tibet and India.
Tash lives in Tibet, where as a practicing Buddhist she must follow many rules to avoid the wrath of the occupying Chinese soldiers. Life remains peaceful as long as Tash, her family, and their community hide their religion and don’t mention its leader, the Dalai Lama.
The quiet is ruptured when a man publicly sets himself on fire to protest the occupation. In the crackdown that follows, soldiers break into Tash’s house and seize her parents. Tash barely escapes,
A story of adventure, survival, courage, and hope, set in the vivid Himalayan landscape of Tibet and India.
Tash lives in Tibet, where as a practicing Buddhist she must follow many rules to avoid the wrath of the occupying Chinese soldiers. Life remains peaceful as long as Tash, her family, and their community hide their religion and don’t mention its leader, the Dalai Lama.
The quiet is ruptured when a man publicly sets himself on fire to protest the occupation. In the crackdown that follows, soldiers break into Tash’s house and seize her parents. Tash barely escapes, and soon she and her best friend, Sam, along with two borrowed yaks, flee across the mountains, where they face blizzards, hunger, a treacherous landscape, and the constant threat of capture. It’s a long, dangerous trip to the Indian border and safety—and not all will make it there.
This action-packed novel tells a story of courage, hope, and the powerful will to survive, even in the most desperate circumstances.
- Algonquin Young Readers
- Hardcover
- November 2019
- 240 Pages
- 9781616209872
Buy the Book
$7.95
About Jess Butterworth
Jess Butterworth lives in New Orleans with her husband. She spent her childhood in both Great Britain and India, and grew up hearing stories about the Himalayas and the people there from her grandmother, who lived in India for many years.
Praise
“The short, cliffhanger chapters will have readers anxiously turning the pages. Middle-grade readers who love Margi Preus will devour Butterworth’s debut.” —Scholastic Teacher
“The perfect summer novel for young middle-grade readers, [a] tale of adventure and courage, halfway around the world . . . a story told with hope and compassion.”—New Orleans Magazine
“An exceptional, riveting novel that will leave readers breathless in many important ways.”—Nationally syndicated columnist Kendal A. Rautzhan for Reading Eagle
“This unique debut novel is perfect for inspiring anyone who, like the dedication says, ‘has ever felt too small to make a difference.’”—Booklist
“The unique setting and Buddhist perspective adds depth to this page-turning adventure.”—School Library Journal
“Short chapters and simple sentence structure keep the pages turning. The tale diligently provides details of Tibetan daily life, customs and culture, and it appropriately raises questions about freedom, occupation, and exile.”—Kirkus Reviews