Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World... One Child at a Time

by Greg Mortenson, Sarah L. Thomson, David Oliver Relin

Book Overview

This young readers edition of the worldwide bestseller "Three Cups of Tea" has been specially adapted for younger readers and updated by Greg Mortenson to bring his remarkable story of humanitarianism... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803733925
• ISBN13: 9780803733923
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Dial Books
• Length: 209 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Wonderful...and not just for kids!

Our elementary school has an annual "one school,one book" event. Books are distributed to every student to be read at home with their families. This year's selection was "Three Cups of Tea" the young readers's version. At first I was a bit worried that the content was going to be too complicated or political for my young children, but it was written in a way which definately kept their interest. There are also beautiful color photos of the people and places in the story and maps of where the events took place. The book helps children to develop a greater understanding of how people live in central Asia, and how important it is for all children to be able to go to school and obtain an education. "Three Cups of Tea" is above all, the story of the bravery and self-sacrifice of Greg Mortenson. He has risked just about everyting to build schools and educate children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. His belief is that education, especially the education of girls, is the way to eventually achieve peace in this part of the world. Our school was also blessed to have Greg Mortenson's sister and her family visit our school and talk to the students and parents about her brother's vision and hope for world peace! His "Pennies for Peace" project is also a wonderful way for children of all ages to get involved and understand the importance of giving to others. As a mother of four children, who also believes in the hope for world peace someday, I highly recommend this book!

Threee Cups of Tea

A wonderful book for the middle school child. It is adventurous and inspiring. My 11 year old grandson loved it.

Teach the children

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

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

So Much More Than Just a Book

It's a book but then so are the latest bestsellers yet they offer nothing beyond a mindless distraction. To say Three Cups of Tea is about peace is to say that Mortensen goes hiking in the mountains. To say it's about building schools in the most desolate, remote, obscure part of the planet is to say an idealistic young man had a wild idea. Mortenson and co-author David Oliver Relin bring the reader to the foot of K2, into a village so isolated from everything that there doesn't even exist a bridge to connect them to the world beyond the raging river that flows from the glacier fields. There Mortenson introduces us to children so eager to learn they work multiplication tables in the dirt without benefit of a teacher or books. How does this man, so grateful to the people who saved his life, repay them? One school at a time. It's a truely inspirational story of what any of us, including a kid born in Minnesota, can do to change the world. The fact that the book is also a true page-turner and is so "can't put it down, don't interrupt me, I gotta know what happens next" good makes this must reading for every high school senior, every empty-nester, every one of us wondering what to do with the rest of our lives. Although I likely won't venture to the high mountains of Pakistan or Tibet, Mortenson has inspired me to find a way to make a difference. Go read it and find your inspiration!!!