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How to Solve a Problem

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From Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world's youngest and most skilled climbers, comes a true story of strength and perseverance--in rock climbing and in life.

To a rock climber, a boulder is called a "problem," and you solve it by climbing to the top. There are twists and turns, falls and scrapes, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them. And then there is the moment of triumph, when there's nothing above you but sky and nothing below but a goal achieved.

Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.
Ashima Shiraishi started climbing at the age of six, and today she is one of the best climbers in the world. She is the first and only female climber ever to ascend a V15 bouldering problem, earning praise from Outside magazine as "a young crusher" and the New York Times as a "bouldering phenom." This is her first picture book.

Yao Xiao is a China-born illustrator based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Time, EW, National Geographic, and The Wall Street Journal, among other outlets, and she is also the author of the monthly web comic Baopu. This is her first picture book.

Educator Guide for How to Solve a Problem

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for How to Solve a Problem

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Red Clover Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Amazon Best of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
“Both a riveting narrative and an excellent guide for young readers to try, try again.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

”Cleanly outlined forms and intensely saturated hues show Ashima honing analytical skills whose power reaches beyond the climbing wall to the rest of life.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
“[Ashima’s] beliefs in learning from each fall and that learning from failure is a superpower are sure to empower any person facing a problem. Engrossing and inspiring.” —Booklist
 
An inspiration to young readers.”—School Library Journal

About

From Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world's youngest and most skilled climbers, comes a true story of strength and perseverance--in rock climbing and in life.

To a rock climber, a boulder is called a "problem," and you solve it by climbing to the top. There are twists and turns, falls and scrapes, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them. And then there is the moment of triumph, when there's nothing above you but sky and nothing below but a goal achieved.

Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.

Author

Ashima Shiraishi started climbing at the age of six, and today she is one of the best climbers in the world. She is the first and only female climber ever to ascend a V15 bouldering problem, earning praise from Outside magazine as "a young crusher" and the New York Times as a "bouldering phenom." This is her first picture book.

Yao Xiao is a China-born illustrator based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Time, EW, National Geographic, and The Wall Street Journal, among other outlets, and she is also the author of the monthly web comic Baopu. This is her first picture book.

Guides

Educator Guide for How to Solve a Problem

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for How to Solve a Problem

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Red Clover Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Amazon Best of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year

Praise

“Both a riveting narrative and an excellent guide for young readers to try, try again.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

”Cleanly outlined forms and intensely saturated hues show Ashima honing analytical skills whose power reaches beyond the climbing wall to the rest of life.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
“[Ashima’s] beliefs in learning from each fall and that learning from failure is a superpower are sure to empower any person facing a problem. Engrossing and inspiring.” —Booklist
 
An inspiration to young readers.”—School Library Journal

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