Genre: Non-Fiction
Theme: Social issues/Inspirational Stories
Ages: 9-12
Summary: This is a story about a mans journey after failing to reach the summit of the K2 mountain in the Middle East, particularly in a remote and small village in Pakistan. After seeing the conditions of education for this village, Greg Mortenson, promises to return to the village and build them a school for their children to learn in. He asks for help from celebrities to no avail, and when he finally raises the funds for this amazing task, he is stifled by the need to first build a bridge for the village in order to bring supplies and infrastructure to their remote location. Finally after many hurtles, conflicts, and much sacrifice this man is able to not only build one school but eventually begin programs to raise funding for the building of 60 schools in the Middle East.
Pre-Reading Activity: Talk about current events going on in the Middle East. Students are likely to either not have any prior knowledge or very limited pre-conceived notions. This book will be a good way to help our class learn more about this culture and area we are less familiar with.
Post-Reading Activity: Have class compose letter to Greg's daughter Amira. Students should develop questions to ask her about her experiences in the Middle East and more.
Reflection: This story is inspirational. It is about how an insignificant person can make a big difference towards making the world a better place. This story also helps to shed light and understanding to the cultural differences the people of a remote Middle Eastern village and of Muslim faith have. It tells how Greg has had to learn and change to accommodate unknown customs of the people he meets and interacts with. There is a very good message about patience and tolerance. I like how the book has been revised and adapted to make it approachable for younger readers. This adaptation includes a glossary, a time line, list of important characters and their roles, pictures, and an interview with Greg's daughter Amira. The connection students are able to make because she is a typical pre-teen much like themselves makes the story all the more relatable.
I'm very excited that I have found this book. I know very little about the Middle East, aside from basic history classes in high school and college, and enjoyed an inspirational story that helped shed some light on the culture as well. I like that there is an adult version, young reader edition, and even a children's picture book to help spread this story to all ages.
This book will help children to have personal goal and work hard to achieve it.
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