What readers think of The Top of the World, plus links to write your own review.

Heartfelt and gut-wrenching story of two siblings learning the meaning of life.

Set in the mid-1970, eighteen-year-old Chip Bishop has been given a cruel diagnosis: leukemia. Rather than seek treatment, Chip decides to experience life and without telling anyone he leaves, ends up at a Poconos resort, Red Maple, where he works until he knows it’s near the end and he returns home. Maggie, his sister, is determined to find out where Chip was and when she does she finds herself at Red Maple, employee there, and determined to find out about Chip.

Told over two summers in alternating chapters (Chip in 1974 and Maggie in 1975) the story has such a sharp focus on these siblings' connection and love for one another. Red Maple is such a wonderful setting - I think it’s the strength of the book. The stories about Chip that Maggie learns can be funny and tender.

I enjoyed the read. While this is a character driven novel, I’d have liked more character development, but the poignancy of the book makes the read worth it.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Scribner for granting me access to this book.