Stepping Up

David Hill

$17.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Penguin
03 February 2026

Children's & Educational; Adventure stories (Children's&YA); Personal & social issues: disability & special needs (Children's&YA)

'The kind of book you need to clear a space for, so you can read it in one satisfying gulp.' Paula Green, POETRY BOX

When a sporty teen's leg is crushed in a mountain-hiking accident, he has to face new challenges one tiny but huge step at a time.

A fast-paced, powerfully told novel for middle-grade readers about limb loss, resilience and becoming excited about the future again.

What if you took a shortcut below some rocks and your entire life came sliding down?

High on the shingle slopes of Pangonui, 14-year-old Ben cuts below a pile of huge, half-buried boulders. All of a sudden there's a terrible sound, and a massive rock is tumbling towards him.

In the painful weeks that follow a surgery to remove Ben's shattered lower leg, his mind returns to the mountain, his impatience, that split-second decision. Will anything ever be 'normal' again?

One goal keeps him going- he will finish the climb he started.

'Hill knows how to draw young readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats . . .' LINDA THOMPSON

By: David Hill
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: New Zealand
Dimensions: Height: 1mm, Width: 1mm,
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9781776953424
ISBN 10: 1776953428
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 03 February 2026
Recommended Age: From 10 to 14 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

David Hill is one of the best-loved children's authors living and writing in New Zealand today. His novels for young people range widely and have that rare balance of fast pace, humour and character authenticity that reels in the most reluctant readers. His work has been published all around the world, translated into many languages and has won major awards here and overseas. In 2004 David was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and in 2005 he was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for his significant contribution to children's literature. He is a regular book reviewer and commentator for Radio NZ and The Listener. He was President of Honour of the NZSA 2019-2020. David lives in New Plymouth.