At first I wasn’t sure if I liked this book, because not much happens for a while. A girl called Kenzie finds out she has to go on a trip with her school to the mountains. She’s upset because she doesn’t like being outdoors and she thinks it’s going to be really scary. Also, a boy in her class who she really doesn’t like is going to be in the same group as her.

Main image: Our nine-year-old reviewer Lauris, who definitely does do mountains | Credit: Guy Prince

It was good when she meets the guide who is going to take them into the mountains, because he is funny and also he has a dog. The other girl in Kenzie’s group doesn’t like dogs, but Kenzie starts to make friends with her anyway.

Ben Macdui, home of the mythical Grey Man_shutterstock_2191616229
Ben Macdui, home of the mythical Grey Man. Credit: Shutterstock

The guide, who is called Bairdy, tells them spooky stories about the mountains and the Big Grey Man. I don’t think I would like to camp there if I had been listening to stories like that.

I thought that the rest of the book was just going to be about describing their camping trip, but it gets exciting because the guide disappears at night time and they all have to look for him. There’s a mystery because nobody knows where he has gone.

And then other exciting things start happening like the dog gets stuck and everyone has to team up to rescue it. And a strange person is following them.

Hares box in a beautiful illustration from the book - credit Victoria Di Meo
Hares box in a beautiful illustration from the book. Credit: Victoria Di Meo

I would definitely read this book again. It wasn’t as exciting as other books I like where there are adventures, like The Hobbit, but it was more real.

It was cool how it taught you stuff about the mountains, like that it’s hard for baby trees to grow in Scotland because of there being too many deer.

I really like wildlife and birds, and I was interested to find out more about some of the things in the book, although some bits were sad.

i dont do mountains

At the end you can read more about how to go camping in Scotland and what to do if you have an emergency.

I thought this was a good idea because it made you feel like you could go and be in the story. I have been camping in other places but never in the Cairngorms, but now I would like to camp there.

I Don’t Do Mountains is published by Scottish Mountaineering Press (paperback, £7.99 )

When contributors to The Great Outdoors aren’t out walking, some like to relax with a good book. Read their outdoor book reviews and discover your next adventurous tale.