Ullman, James Ramsey. Banner in the Sky. New York: Scholastic, Inc. 1954.
I read this young adult book in one sitting. It’s cute and heroic and it won a Newbery Award. Basically, it’s the Swiss tale of a teenage boy looking to finish the challenge that finished his father – climbing the final, unconquered summit in the Alps, the Citadel. Rudi is a sweet sixteen rebel dishwasher who dreams of finishing what his father started, much to the dismay of his mother. Widowed and overprotective, mom relies on her brother to help keep her son in check. The only problem? Uncle is an accomplished guide with mountaineering in his blood. So is the kid’s restaurant boss. And his arch rival, 18 year old Klaus. Everyone looks to Citadel as the great lost challenge and Rudi’s leading the lack.
Spoiler: Rudi not only reaches the summit, but he also saves a more experienced, rival climber along along the way.
BookLust Twist: “Adventure By the Book: Fiction” (Book Lust, p. 7), Pearl describes Banner in the Sky as, “an adventure book that makes for good read for adults.”
~*LunaSea*~ 
Other than the LEFT BEHIND series books, this Banner In The Sky was “tops” Couldn’t stand to put it down…………a “must” to keep reading. LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!
I’m sad to say the Left Behind series is not on my list. Banner in the Sky was great, though!