Reach: Open Sky

In this sequel to Reach, Maya conquered the climbing wall and the fear that ruled her life. But when Coach Rivera announces an outdoor trip to Eagle Bluff, the fear comes back in a brand-new shape, and this time little Sam is counting on Maya to be the brave one.

Maya slapped the buzzer at the top of the gym climbing wall and grinned. Six months ago, this wall had been a monster that scraped the ceiling. Now it was just Tuesday. She rappelled down easy and loose, the way Theo used to, and her feet hit the mat like they had done it a hundred times, because they had.

'Nice climb,' called Coach Rivera, and then she did something unusual. She blew her whistle and waved the whole climbing club over to the bulletin board, where she thumbtacked up a bright new flyer. SUMMER TRIP: EAGLE BLUFF. REAL ROCK. REAL SKY. The kids buzzed like a shaken beehive.

Maya leaned in to look, and her stomach did a slow, sick flip she hadn't felt in months. The photo on the flyer showed a cliff of gray stone rising out of a green valley, and above it, nothing. No ceiling. No buzzer. Just sky, going up forever. Oh no, whispered a cold, familiar voice inside her chest, quiet as a draft under a door. Hello again, Maya. Remember me?