Up, Up, Ever Up!

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains is a picture-book biography by Anita Yasuda, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, about the Japanese mountaineer who became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. It begins with a childhood hike that sparks Junko's love of climbing, then follows her to university in Tokyo, where climbing clubs turn her away because she is a woman. Determined to keep going, she helps organize an expedition of women to Everest, even sewing some of her own gear because the equipment of the day was made for men. Back matter includes an author's note, a timeline and a glossary. The book received a 2025 Caldecott Honor.