Banner in the Sky

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the tension between following a family legacy and forging their own identity. It is an ideal choice for the adolescent who feels misunderstood by protective adults or who is learning that true maturity often requires sacrificing personal glory for the well-being of others. Set in the Swiss Alps in 1865, the story follows sixteen year old Rudi Matt as he dreams of conquering the Citadel, the mountain that claimed his father's life. While the plot is a high stakes survival adventure, the heart of the book explores the weight of responsibility and the definition of true courage. It is a sophisticated, emotionally resonant classic that models how to handle fear and the complex process of earning adult respect through integrity rather than just talent.