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 Teach the children January 23, 2009
Julie Neal (Sanibel Island, Fla.)
65 out of 65 found this review helpful
Written for kids 8 and up, this young reader's edition of Three Cups of Tea tells the inspirational story of Greg Mortenson and his selfless mission to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mortenson's original book, Three Cups of Tea, has become a worldwide bestseller. Since the goal is about building schools and educating kids, this book and the newly published picture book Listen to the Wind are naturals.
When mountaineer Mortenson got lost in the Pakistani mountains after a failed attempt at climbing K2, he was rescued by the villagers in impoverished Korphe. As he was nursed back to health, Mortenson was shocked to learn that Korphe's children had no school, with lessons taught outdoors just three days a week. Kids learned to write using sticks in the dirt. To repay the village's kindness, Mortenson promised to return, and help build a school.
Mortenson did come back to Korphe, and has indeed helped build not just one but fifty-five schools -- many for girls -- in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The idea of "three cups of tea" comes from Korphe's village chief, Haji Ali. "With the first cup of tea you are a stranger, with the second you become a friend, and with the third, you join our family."
Many parts of Mortenson's story are thrilling as he describes his adventures in such a dangerous part of the world. A trip to Afghanistan, for example, comes complete with red rocks that signal land mines: "There are millions of land mines buried all over Afghanistan, left there by armies after years and years of war. When one is found -- usually because it explodes -- rocks in the area are painted red, as a warning."
A story like this is both inspiring and eye-opening, and should help kids feel closer to children in other parts of the world.
Bonus features include maps of the region; a foreword by Dr. Jane Goodall; an interview with Mortenson's teenage daughter Amira, who has traveled with him in his work; and two sections of color photos printed on glossy paper.
Here's the chapter list:
Maps
Foreword by Dr. Jane Goodall
Introduction
Chapter 1: Failure
Chapter 2: The Wrong Side of the River
Chapter 3: I'm Going to Build You a School
Chapter 4: Growing Up
Chapter 5: 580 Letters, One Check
Chapter 6: Hard Way Home
Chapter 7: Korphe at Last
Chapter 8: A Bridge Before a School
Chapter 9: Hunting Ibex
Chapter 10: Building Bridges
Chapter 11: Six Days
Chapter 12: Beginnings
Chapter 13: Haji Ali's Lesson
Chapter 14: A Smile Should Be More Than a Memory
Chapter 15: A Picture
Chapter 16: New Schools -- and More
Chapter 17: Running From War
Chapter 18: Too Much to Do
Chapter 19: A Village Called New York
Chapter 20: Afghanistan
Chapter 21: The First Educated Woman in Korphe
Chapter 22: Stones into Schools
Q&A with Amira Mortenson
Time Line
Glossary
Who's Who in Three Cups of Tea
Readers Guide
AMAZING BOOK -EVERY STUDENT AND LIBRARY SHOULD HAVE ONE January 22, 2009
Andrea Joy Cohen (Denver, Colorado)
32 out of 32 found this review helpful
Three Cups of Tea is a fabulous book. I could not put it down until I finished reading it from cover to cover (see below for a summary of the book). The Young Readers edition, tells a similar story to the original version and it has been adapted for young readers by Sarah Thompson, and involves Greg's 12 year old daughter Amira. Any "complex" words are highlighted and described in a glossary. There are beautiful photos of Greg's adventures and his daughter's travels. Amira is interviewed about her personal life and her relationship with her Dad, and her travels. A timeline of his travels, who's who section and readers group guide are also included. There is a great forward by Jane Goodhall.
Three Cups of Tea is the story of Greg Mortenson, a nurse from the US, who at the beginning of the book is forced to abort a climb of K2. He meets a community in remote Pakistan and promises to build them a school at their request. The book details how despite huge obstacles he builds a school for them successfully and goes on to build a series of schools for children and centers for women in remote mountain towns in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Along the way he experiences personal danger, hostility, adventure and financial strain. He persists and builds a non-profit (in his own way) to fund the schools for girls. There are endearing stories between Greg and the villagers, and the lessons he learned along the way.
This book is not be missed. It is extremely inspiring- watch how one determined man (or is he a saint) can change the world. I loved it! It is a great gift, a great text for older elementary and middle school ( aimed at 9-12 year olds) even some high school students. All libraries should also carry this book!!!!! Kids are in need of this type of inspiration. Students are also invited to become involved in one of his non-profits "Pennies for Peace"
The first book was written with David Oliver Relin who researched and wrote about all the details of Mortenson's amazing life.
Blessings to you, Andrea Joy Cohen MD, physician, and keynote speaker, Author of the LA Bestseller A Blessing in Disguise: 39 Life Lessons from Today's Greatest Teachers
See their other books:
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
Great Children's Adaptation of Three Cups of Tea--Secular Sainthood: One Man's Road to Saving Humanity Through Education April 18, 2009
Professor Donald Mitchell (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 96,000 Helpful Votes Globally)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
If you encourage a child to read only one book this year, I strongly urge you to select this one.
Children need heroes who reach out to them and serve as life-long role models. Greg Mortenson is the kind of hero that any parent would be proud for her or his children to emulate. His work is aimed at helping children in poor countries (especially Pakistan and Afghanistan) get an education, his first encouraging financial support came from school children in the United States, and he has established a charitable giving program, Pennies for Peace, that children participate in. Did you know that a penny will buy a pencil (something few poor children have) in Pakistan and Afghanistan?
This book is a superb adaption and updating of the original volume by Sarah Thomson to appeal to those in about the 8-13 year-old group. She has added photographs, information, and a Q & A from Greg Mortenson's daughter, Amira, that make the book positively sing from a young person's perspective. The book also features a new foreword by Jane Goodall and some photographs of her with the Mortensons.
The adaptation keeps the drama and excitement of the original while slimming down the stories in ways that make them more iconic. At the same time, the perspective is shifted from adults thinking about children to how the children see and experience Mr. Mortenson's work.
Do you like to read heroic tales of overcoming daunting odds to achieve great things? Do you believe that we are past the age of heroes? If you answered yes to either question, you need to read Three Cups of Tea immediately!
Here's the overview of this book. Greg Mortenson was a determined mountain climber on his way back from challenging K2, one of the world's highest and most dangerous peaks in the Himalayas, when he lost his way. He was exhausted from just having helped in the all-but-impossible rescue of one of his fellow climbers. As a result of the second of his mistakes in leaving the so-called trail, Mortenson found himself needing help in a Balti village in Pakistan that he had never heard of, Korphe. The villagers nursed him back to health, and Mortenson began listening to their grievances against the Pakistan government which supported an on-going conflict with India over Kashmir, but did not provide a school for their children. The grateful Mortenson promised to build them a school.
Many people make such promises, but few fulfill them. Mortenson headed back to California and raised the $12,000 he estimated it would take to build the school. With the money in hand, he flew back to Pakistan and started buying supplies. Arriving at the village, his new Balti friends reminded him that there was no bridge to transport the supplies to the village. Mortenson headed back to raise the money for the bridge.
After many more trials, the school was built and a teacher installed. Mortenson had found his life work. He wanted to provide schools for all of the Pakistani children who didn't get an education, especially the girls, who were more likely to stay in their villages and improve living conditions. Everything was difficult. Pakistanis didn't trust him. Muslims thought it was all a plot to convert children to Christianity. Some wanted bribes. People in the United States were generally opposed to helping Muslims unless they had been climbers in that part of the Himalayas. Mortenson got hate mail. But he persevered.
Eventually, his vision expanded to helping with water projects and to providing scholarships for higher education for those who graduated from the schools he built.
Conditions in Afghanistan also called out to him, and he established a similar program there.
But his slim efforts were being overwhelmed by madrassas funded with Saudi money that were often used to recruit and train terrorists. His life changed forever when in the aftermath of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan Parade Magazine wrote an article about his efforts to secure a lasting peace in the region by supporting moderate Muslims with educational aid.
This book is powerfully written. I seldom recall reading such an excellent story about serving humanity in a selfless secular way that isn't tied to a religious vocation.
The book's title refers to a story that Mortenson learned from those who wanted him to slow down and stop acting like an American: The local people wanted to ally with him, and he was trying to run everything. Results improved when he stepped back and became an ally instead of an authoritarian leader.
Here's the basis of the reference: Haji Ali, his first Balti friend, told Mortenson that he had to respect Balti ways. "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger." "The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest." "The third time you share tea, you are family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die."
May God bless the authors, their families, and those who work with Mr. Mortenson to expand the light of education to those who wish to see with it.
read it January 28, 2009
Glinda Plum (Texas)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
If you have not read the adult version of three cups of tea, i highly recommend it ... this is just a wonderful story ... a testament to one man's humanity and what we can all accomplish when we respect one another and persistently pursue a goal. It is read by Pentagon staff now and counterintelligience teams....it is a testimony to the fact that every human being wants acknowledgement and respect .. such small things but they are truly the stepping off points for so much more. Read it, let your kids and grandkids read it .. please.
Threee Cups of Tea February 24, 2009
I. Nowak (Indiana)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
A wonderful book for the middle school child. It is adventurous and inspiring. My 11 year old grandson loved it.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 93
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