This story was absolutely moving, and the way written is easily understandable to kids. Another amazing piece of work by the girls!

Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains
by Rebel Girls
Pub Date 07 Feb 2023
Rebel Girls
Pub Date 07 Feb 2023
Biographies & Memoirs | Children's Fiction | Middle Grade



I am reviewing a copy of Junko Tabei Masters the Mountain through Rebel Girls and Netgalley:


Junko is very bad at athletics! Other students make fun of her because they think she is small and weak! When her teacher takes the class on a trip to a mountain. It’s bigger than any Junko’s ever seen, but she is determined to make it to the top. Ganbatte, her teacher tells her. Do your best.


After Junko's first trip she becomes a Mountaineer in body as well as in Spirit. She climbs snowy mountains, rocky mountains, and even faraway mountains outside of her home country of Japan. She joins clubs and befriends fellow climbers who love the mountains as much as she does. Then, Junko does something that’s never been done before… she becomes the first woman to climb the tallest mountain in the world.


Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains is more than the story of the story of the first woman to climb Mount Everest., it's also a story about conquering fears, personal growth and never shying away from a challenge.


I give Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This was another inspiring story from Rebel Girls. Junko Tabei started out as a young girl with very little athletic ability but with perseverence and determination (and encouragement from some key teachers) she went on to become a great mountain climber. The emphasis on just putting one foot in front of the other, no matter what difficult or seemingly impossible task you are trying to achieve, is a great message for young people, as is focusing on your dream no matter what others say.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for providing an early copy for review.

These books are so fun to read, yet so important for empowering young readers! I can't wait to read more of them, and would love to pick up a collection of them for my niece once she gets a little older.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Questi libricini sono così carini per passare una serata diversa con la mia sorellina, insegnandole la storia del mondo ma anche del femminismo, senza però essere pesante.

I truly love this series! And being Japanese this story was really fun to share with my kids. I love the dedication at the front: "No mountain is too high if you put one foot in front of the other." This is truly an inspiring story for boys and girls. Although, I do love giving my girls strong women role models! The pictures are beautiful and help break up the story. I don't know much about mountaineering so it was fun to learn! I love all that Rebel Girls is trying to build in young girls. I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I'll definitely be purchasing a copy!

Thank you Netgalley and Rebel Girls for my review e-copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for an e-ARC of this title to read and review. Out of all the series in the Rebel Girls catalog, I would say that this middle grade historical fiction chapter book option is the style I would have loved and devoured most as a kid (in this age group), but like least as an adult reader. They're still really incredible, I'm just more impressed with the biography anthologies as an adult! But, this story of Junko Tabei is probably the exception - it's been my favorite so far in the inspired-fiction works, and I also feel that got to know a lot about the real person from my reading as well. I had never heard of Junko Tabei before, and what a shame! Her life story, talents, and ambitions are so compelling, and it was a treat to read about her in this format. I could totally see younger readers (like my past self) wanting to know more about mountaineering and balancing adventures in life after experiencing this book.

The Rebel Girls team makes great children's nonfiction picture books, but their middle grade fictionalized biographies are especially amazing. I really enjoy them! This one is about Junko Tabei, a Japanese woman who was the first to climb to the top of Mt Everest. I knew who she was before and really enjoyed learning more about her life and journey. This has been my favorite one of these biographies so far!

Thanks to Rebel Girls and netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This is about a "small and week" girl who is not into athletics at all but learns to climb high mountains in spite of her parents wanting her to marry soon in Japan.
After that first trip, Junko becomes a mountaineer in body and spirit. She climbs snowy mountains, rocky mountains, and even faraway mountains outside of her home country of Japan. She joins clubs and befriends fellow climbers who love the mountains as much as she does. Then, Junko does something that’s never been done before… she becomes the first woman to climb the tallest mountain in the world.

What am amazing story about willpower and determination! Junko Tabei's journey to accomplish something traditionally not as common for women was very inspiring. The chapters and illustrations were engaging and well done.
The quote Junko remembered from her father will stick with me - "It's all right to be afraid. Fear is human. Just pay attention to what your fear is telling you and make smart decisions."
Rebel Girls continues to be a family favourite in our house, and we are loving these chapter style editions.
Content: just a note to be mindful with this as there is talk of loss (her father and friend).
Thank you Rebel Girls for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Rebel Girls?

The stories are fantastic, the books are appealing to look at and read, the length of the stories is just right for young readers, and the subject are fantastic!

Rebel Girls is doing a phenomenal job of finding diverse women, and interesting stories about lesser known heroines, to present as inspiration for a generation that has started their intellectual pursuits under much duress.

I just can't wait to have an entire bookshelf dedicated to Rebel Girls and strong women as a beacon to empower the young people (not just girls!) in my life

Thank you Rebel Girls!

I never feel this enjoyment of reading memoirs before. I love Junko and her husband 😍 that's how a family should be. It reminded me that one tiny act that we may not know realized could affect someone in a huge way, like what Junko's teacher did earlier. It brought the idea of not giving up and bravery to start!!!

As always thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for this free eARC.
Another amazing story about an amazing woman and what will power can do.
Junko a girl from rural Japan never thought she could climb a mountain, let alone dream of Mt Everest.
Growing in post WWII Japan Junko was ahead of her time in a lot of areas.
With the support of her family though she made her mountaineering dream come true. Through love and loss she managed to climb to the top of Mt Everest survive the avalanche and return safely to her family.
Another great read for big and small girls.

Beautifully illustrated, with bold lines and colours, this book carries a message that I want my children to make their own: No mountain is too high if you put one foot in front of the other.

I love inspiring stories about women who have done extraordinary things all around the world, and I can foresee that this is going to become a favourite in our household as my eldest daughter is currently fascinated by everything Japanese. And climbing... just not yet mountains!

Excellent story, easy to read for younger children, and inspirational. Part of the Rebel Girls series of books, it follows the life of Junko Tabei, a girl with no athletic ability who learns to become a hiker--and then a mountain climber. Interspersed with Japanese cultural references and mountaineering, it is a quick and easy read for higher level readers but also doable for younger readers as well.

What a superb message for our young people - you do not have to be brilliant at something to be passionate about it. Pursuing an interest with zeal and practising can make you successful. Junko was terrible at school sports. She was small and weak. On her first mountaineering trip, she felt useless... until she reached the summit and felt alive. In Japan, she was expected to marry after finishing school, but Junko wanted to try university in Tokyo and return to the joy of climbing. She did not find it easy, but she loved it. Her journey took her to some of the most challenging climbs in the world. What an inspirational woman and superb example of the importance of not giving up when things are difficult. Perfect read for young chapter readers. Beautifully illustrated throughout. Scan codes to listen to more great information and stories about more fabulous women on the Rebel Girls App. As always, expect some fun challenges and activities at the end of the book. #junkotabeimastersthemountains #rebelgirls #netgalley

Another famous woman I got to know through the great Rebel Girls series. This is about a "small and week" girl who´s not into athletics at all but learns to climb even higher mountains in spite of her parents wanting her to marry soon in Japan after WWII. She knows it´s about setting one foot after the other and achieves a lot in the sports she loves. I liked the usual lovely descriptions and pictures as well as the additions for (not only) children in the end.
Thanks to Rebel Girls and Netgalley for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains was a book both my daughter and I enjoyed. We liked reading her story and how she overcame her obstacles was inspiring!

Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains is the story of the titular woman who became a very accomplished mountain climber. I had never heard of Junko before, but find that this version of her story is highly engrossing and approachable. It is much more memorable than simply reading a list or sentence of what she did that makes her such a great woman in history.

Rebel Girls is doing a great job of diversifying its series and providing new ways of exploring women's history!

Rebel Girls continues to expand the stories about inspirational women who have made history just by following their passions. Junko Tabei is not athletic but she decides to climb Mt. Everest. Follow her story as she works to accomplish her goals and all she had to do to make it happen. My granddaughter enjoyed this and is a strong willed girl who is learning you can do anything you want if you work hard enough. Thank you Rebel Girls for another great story.