Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna (National Geographic)

Book Description

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

Customer Reviews:

Growing up as a Maasai warrior.......2007-09-20

I really liked this book. It is one of several that I purchased after coming back from Tanzania, and I have recommended it to others. The author is straight-forward about his situation, so I wouldn't recommend it to children under, say, 12, but it is quite moving as an adult book, though he wrote it for young people.

From the African bush to Harvard........2007-09-15

Facing the Lion is the amazing TRUE story of a Maasai boy growing up in Kenya. I first heard about this National Geographic book from my son's 8th grade world history teacher - it was on a summer reading list. B-O-R-I-N-G - right? Well think again. You will not be able to put this book down! The boy grows up tending his family's herd of extremely valuable cows - and that means standing guard at night when lions literally leap from the bush to decimate the livestock. The lessons that the boy learns from incredible adventure, adversity, and challenge in his African upbringing only serve to give him the drive, determination, and power to succeed at HARVARD. My husband read the book on a plane and now uses a number of examples in his consulting practice. A FUN read and a WONDERFUL book for ANYBODY - teens to adult.

Simple, yet informative!.......2007-09-10

Narrated in the voice of a child as he grows up in a Maasai village, this is a quick, easy-to-read book for learning a lot about the Maasai culture (ie; before traveling to Africa, or for general interest). It was recommended by my travel agent and, while very simple, I will agree it is very well worth the read!

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai.......2007-06-08

This book was absolutely fascinating to adults as well as younger readers.

Joseph Lekuton is elected to Kenya Parliament.......2006-07-27

On July 24, 2006, this remarkable young man was elected to the Kenyan parliament to represent his home district. He says thank you for the help and encouragement he received while living in the United States.

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Satisfied
Griffin's Review
6 stars
Akimbo Saves The Day

Akimbo and the Lions (Akimbo)
Alexander McCall Smith
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1599900327
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Amazon.com

Alexander McCall Smith, best-selling author of the celebrated No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, connects with an entirely new audience with his beginning chapter book series featuring a young African boy fiercely devoted to the conservation of his animal friends. Akimbo lives on the large African game reserve where his father works, and is constantly on the lookout for an opportunity to see or learn something new. In Akimbo and the Elephants, the resourceful Akimbo helps foil an elephant poaching ring by secretly taking ivory seized by the park wardens and offering it to known poachers. When the poachers take the bait and invite Akimbo along on their illegal hunt, the boy slips away from the men and alerts the authorities. In Akimbo and the Lions, Akimbo helps raise a lion cub that is accidentally caught in a farmer's trap and learns the true meaning of s! acrifice when he must release his beloved Simba back into the wild. While Akimbo occasionally comes close to real danger, (an angry bull elephant charges towards him; a cornered lioness threatens him and his father) Smith always brings his small but determined hero safely out of harm's way, having both learned a valuable lesson and gone on a great adventure. First published in the UK in 1990, resourceful Akimbo is being introduced to an American audience for the first time, and will undoubtedly be warmly welcomed by young fans of Ann Cameron's Julian stories, and Paula Danziger's Amber Brown books. --Jennifer Hubert

Book Description

Ten-year-old Akimbo lives on a game preserve in Africa. His father is the head ranger, and Akimbo is eager to help him whenever he can—even if it means getting into some pretty dangerous situations.

In Akimbo and the Lions, Akimbo helps his father set a trap for a lioness that has been attacking cattle on nearby farms. But when the lion they catch turns out to be a cub, Akimbo must find a way to care for the young lion until it’s old enough to be released in the wild.

Customer Reviews:

Satisfied.......2007-05-15

Purchased these books for my grandsons and was told that they really enjoyed them.

Griffin's Review.......2006-08-20

This book was a fun book to read. I liked it a lot. I think it was my favorite book that I've read so far in my life. I am going to buy my own copy.

6 stars.......2006-03-08

It was one of the most passionate books I ever read. It made me cry. The pictures were wonderful. The book had very good descriptions. People who like animals, stories that take place in Africa, and love will like this book.

Akimbo Saves The Day.......2005-10-30

This book is McCall Smith's second book in the "Akimbo" series and like virtually all his books, it is masterfully done. In this book, Akimbo goes on a trip with his father, the new Head Gamekeeper of the wildlife preserve. They have gone to check out reports that a lion is eating cattle. The loss of cattle is akin to the loss of pure gold in Akimbo's part of Africa. Thus, such a lion must be handled.

Akimbo begs his father to take him on the trip. With some trepidation, his father agrees. The team of Gamekeepers and Akimbo travel to the farm which has reported the problem. No one actually has seen the lion, but they believe by the sounds and the results that it is surely a lion. The Gamekeepers set a trap, using a goat as bait. The trap is supposed to work by capturing the lion when he goes to get the goat.

The trap is set up, and Akimbo and his father get set to wait out the night and see what happens. As luck would have it, the lion does show up on that night. The trap is sprung, and Akimbo's father goes to check the trap. As soon as his father leaves the hiding place, Akimbo notices, he has forgotten his rifle. His father approaches the trap, and is dismayed to find, the lion is not in the trap. The lion is standing outside the trap, and starts to close in on Akimbo's father.

Akimbo has never shot a rifle before, but he has observed his father use it. He picks up the gun. He aims, and his father tells him, "Shoot into the air." Akimbo does so twice. The lion leaves quickly. Then they go to find out why the trap di not work, and find that it is sprung. Inside is a very small baby lion cub. The rest of the book discusses Akimbo's relationship with the lion cub, and the eventual release of the lion into the wild.

Once again, McCall Smith has created a wonder of a book. It is highly recommended as a children's story. It provides a look at a very different society and world than the American world. In addition, it shows the respect of the people for the animals. All parents with young children should find this book a great addition to their children's reading library.

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Gorgeous FICTIONAL story of great king with FACTUAL epilogue
A tale of the former greatness of Africa

Mansa Musa: The Lion of Mali
Khephra Burns
Manufacturer: Gulliver Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0152003754

Amazon.com

When a stranger in a sky blue robe appears in the 14th century Malian village of Kaba Kangaba, young Kankan Musa is spellbound. He joins the other villagers in an evening of stories and celebration... only to have the spell broken by the arrival of slave raiders who seize Kankan and carry him off to the desert. Here begins our hero's story: is he destined to be a slave for life? Or will this be the launch of a journey to self-discovery and maturity?

Khephra Burns's exquisitely told account of one of the greatest kings of Mali is based solidly in fact, although the details of his boyhood are imagined. Partnered with the rich, breathtaking illustrations by two-time Caldecott Medalists, Leo and Diane Dillon (Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears and Ashanti to Zulu), this beautifully formatted picture book will capture the imagination and fascination of children everywhere. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

When an evening celebration in his village is disrupted by the cries of slave raiders, young Kankan Musa runs to find his spear, but in a moment he is taken. Suddenly, the world he has known is gone. Is he to be a slave? Or will destiny carry this son of a proud people to a different future?
Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon capture the grandeur of Africa's ancient empires, lands, and people in stunning paintings as this richly imagined tale of the boyhood of Mansa Musa, one of Mali's most celebrated kings, carries us across the continent on a triumphant journey of self-discovery.

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous FICTIONAL story of great king with FACTUAL epilogue.......2005-12-21

If you are looking for a strictly historical book, go elsewhere. The main story is entirely fictional. However, it is beautifully told and gorgeously illustrated, and it is well researched historical fiction. No, we know nothing of the childhood of the famous Mansa Musa--however, the portrayal of the cultures and ways of life of the people is vivid and accurate, and this legend-like tale will surely gain a deserving place in the canon of children's literature.

For educational use, this is of fairly limited *factual* use because of the dearth of written accounts about Mansa Musa and his reign and, as a result, the fictional nature of the main narrative. However, the epilogue is factual (if not completely impervious to debate), and the entire book would be great as a fictional supplement to the study of the Middle Ages, especially as it takes the point of view of a non-Western culture and focuses upon an important historical figure who is often glossed over (because of lack of information and his lack of impact upon the West) in typical courses of study.

This book also does NOT have a militant, strident Afrocentric agenda, as, unfortunately, many American-published books about African culture have. It would be excellent for people of any background who enjoy history, good story-telling, and breathtaking illustrations.

For other great, beautifully illustrated, African-oriented picture books, try these:

Why do Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears? - an animal myth

The Marriage of the Rain-Goddess - based on a South African myth, it contains many elements common to African folklore and fairytales (such as the substitute bride)

African Princess - nonfiction about 6 royal women of Africa, from ancient Egypt to the 20th (and 21st) century. Painted illustrations are limited to one portrait per woman, but the book is fascinating and unusual, and photographs are skillfully chosen to complement the text.

African Princes - Complement to African Princesses.

A tale of the former greatness of Africa.......2005-01-10

There is a great deal of historical evidence in support of the mighty empire of Mali and the trek of the great king Mansa Musa across the Sahara Desert to Mecca. Some European historical accounts have him listed as the king of all of Africa. There is solid historical evidence that he lived in the early 1300's and further evidence that a mighty fleet of ships departed from the kingdom and made landfall in the Western Hemisphere during his reign. This would mean that their arrival predated the voyage of Christopher Columbus by almost two centuries.
This story is an account of the life of Mansa Musa before he became king, and while the background is historically accurate, most of the account of his life before he became king is fictional. Some of it is based on cultural myths that are still part of the Mali culture, but it is clear that there were once mighty empires in Africa. I found this book very interesting because it tells of an aspect of African history that we in the west rarely if ever hear about. The empires of Egypt and Nubia are part of the historical education of every western child, but the mighty nations that once existed in other parts of Africa are largely ignored. Most of the Africans captured and sold into slavery were from the northwest section of Africa and it is a western cultural myth that they were savages. From the historical events on which this book is based, a strong and civilized nation existed in that area several centuries before the slave trade began.
The authors do a good job in writing about the early life of Mansa Musa. It is an appropriate blend of a story for children with just enough adult features to make it appeal to all ages. Once I completed the book, my interest was so aroused that I did an online search for books on Mansa Musa and the empire of Mali.

We All Went On Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania

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Excellent writing and graphics
Safari
Excellent book about Masai culture
What a wonderful book!
A stunning book written by a talented FABULOUS author!

We All Went On Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania
Laurie Krebs
Manufacturer: Barefoot Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 184148119X

Product Description

Join Arusha, Mosi, Tumpe and their Maasai friends as they set out on a counting journey through the grasslands of Tanzania. Along the way, the children encounter all sorts of animals including elephants, lions and monkeys, while counting from one to ten in both English and Swahili. The lively, rhyming text is accompanied by an illustrated guide to counting in Swahili, a map, notes about each of the animals, and interesting facts about Tanzania and the Maasai people.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent writing and graphics .......2006-11-10

My son, now 22 months, loves this book. We started reading it less than 2 months ago and he can name all the animals and starts to count pretty well. The writing and graphics are excellent. The book has added information that he can learn when he's older, like the Swahili names for numbers and also a map of Tanzania and Kenia. Definitely recommend it.

Safari.......2006-03-24

Great book for young and old. My 6 year old loves this book. The pictures are beautiful and she enjoys learning another language.

Excellent book about Masai culture.......2004-07-15

This book starts with a story about Masai culture and also an introduction to how to say their numbers. What really fascinated me were the facts in the back. It tells you about Tanzania, the Masai culture, some words in their language and also a little about how they name their children. I love learning about African culture so I absolutely loved this book!

What a wonderful book!.......2004-03-10

We borrowed this book from the library and enjoyed it so much we bought a copy to keep. My 3 1/2 year old son loved the counting journey and learning to say all the animals and numbers in swahili. What a fun way to learn to count and speak a new language!

A stunning book written by a talented FABULOUS author!.......2003-09-03

An excellent book, which has been written by a very talented author. Krebs has a true gift writing books that are enjoyed by children all over the world. As for Kokodoko's review, I found their opinion of the artwork harsh. I think s/he needs to take another look at the book as ALL the characters wore some type of clothing and were not "running around naked in the wilderness." Perhaps this person has yet to learn that in many cultures men, women and children wear limited clothing based upon tradition, need and climate. Just because they do, should we see regard all photographs or illustrations of them as depicting "negative stereotypes?" Should we expect all people to be dressed as Westerners or to follow our codes of modesty? I don't think so.

Average customer rating:

Apocalypse Where?
Best Williams So Far...
A mystical thriller
An amazing read
"Difficult" with a capital D.

Place of the Lion
Charles Williams
Manufacturer: Eerdmans Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0802812228

Book Description

Charles Williams had a genius for choosing strange and exciting themes for his novels and making them believable and profoundly suggestive of spiritual truths. Beneath the brilliant and imaginative surface of his "supernatural thrillers" lies a concealed and meticulously thought-out Christian message.

Customer Reviews:

Apocalypse Where?.......2005-12-30

Once again, Mr. Williams fantasizes the eruption of eschatological events into the ordinary life of the provincial British bourgeoisie. The result is something like the literary offspring of the mating of P.G. Wodehouse with the Book of Revelations. One thing that is rarely discussed, though, is the strange brand of comedy that ensues. For example, picture a young woman sitting at her breakfast table and pondering the remarkable events of the previous evening: A giant pterodactyl, which seems to incarnate the essence of her own self-centeredness and bears something of a resemblance to Peter Abelard, has attempted to assault her by smashing through her bedroom window, ultimately destroying the upper stories of her house while virtually obliterating her father in the process. In the nick of time, she is saved from complete physical and spiritual annihilation by the arrival of her boyfriend riding a unicorn and with an enormous eagle resting on his shoulder. Little wonder she seems distracted as she butters her toast!
I'd agree with my fellow reviewer who notes that a passing familiarity with Plato's Ideals is really all the philosophical preparation a reader needs to jump into this novel. However, a little extra reading regarding Abelard's take on "universals" might add a little extra spice - since Abelard is the subject of the heroine's (the pterodactyl girl) doctoral dissertation. I'd suggest the article "The Medieval Problem of Universals" in the online Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Best Williams So Far..........2005-09-03

Working through Williams's seven novels I come to "Place of the Lion" fourth (after "Shadows of Ecstasy", "War in Heaven", and "Many Dimensions"). "...Lion" is in some ways the most simple to read of these four, with the most cohesive narrative and fewest extraneous characters. Conceptually, it may be the most difficult of the four, but a simple, definitional understanding of Platonic Ideals is all that is required to open it up to everyone. With that caveat, I find "Place of the Lion" the best of the four novels mentioned. True to Williams's norm, the fantastical pops into the book within the first half-dozen pages and never retreats. Also of the four, "...Lion" is most clearly applicable to life, with particularly valuable insights into the transcendence of love - most overtly of eros and friendship, but of charity and affection as well (see CS Lewis - "The Four Loves" for an excellent non-fiction treatment of the same topics). All-in-all...very good and highly recommended.

A mystical thriller.......2003-09-26

This is a book I have reread countless times, and it is always fresh. It renews my appreciation for reality, for the simple material world, and reminds me of the mystical potential lying beneath the surface we see. I especially enjoy the heroine's journey from self-absorption to concern and compassion, and the hero who rises to the occasion to rescue his friends and incidentally the world. One of my favorite books.

An amazing read.......2003-06-09

I was so glad to find this book in print and available on Amazon; it's been 20 years since I read it as part of a C.S. Lewis Literature class at Cal State Fullerton, and the themes have stayed with me ever since. Reading this book put me into an almost dreamlike state, living the characters' experiences. The idea that archetypal Ideas could enter our world, consuming their physical shadows (our reality) and threatening humanity's existence, is depicted in the setting of a simple English village. Restoration of balance and order are the salvation of the world -- and keeping balance in my own life became a goal after I read this book.

"Difficult" with a capital D........2002-05-22

This is the fourth Williams book I have read. For me, it's been the most difficult to understand, so far. One needs to be schooled (and schooled fairly thoroughly) in philosophy to fully appreciate what is going on here in The Place Of The Lion.
I am not, and don't.
A reader of this book also needs to know a bit about Williams himself. As a neo-Platonist he did not see God acting alone to create the universe, but as the creator also of sub-creators, which are traditionally known as the angelic hierarchies. For Williams, these were ever-present realities, ruling not only the great principles of creation, but also having the ability to burst in and effect the lives and destinies of men, whether on a group or individual basis. Here in The Place Of The Lion these universal powers are inadvertently stumbled upon by a Platonic meditation group led by a Mr. Berringer. Now, according to Platonic theory, behind the visible world lies the invisible world of Ideas. That is, behind every chair we observe, whether it is a King's throne or a leprechaun's toadstool, lies the Idea of "chairness". There is, so to speak, an eternal Chair from which all chairs proceed. This applies to everything in our world; a table is an instance of the Idea of tables, or of the Table; a man and a woman are cases in point of Maleness and Femaleness. In other words, if there is anything that may be called "unreal" says the Platonist, it is this transitory world of mere appearances which we live in.

The picture which Williams chose for The Place Of The Lion is this Platonic one. It so happens that on one occasion, Mr. Berringer's meditation is deep enough to cause a rupture in the divide between the outer and inner worlds. He is out walking in a condition almost of trance, deep in meditation upon the Platonic idea of strength and kingship, using the archetypal image of a lion. In this state, it so happens that his path is crossed by a real lioness which has escaped from a local circus or zoo. The animal attacks him but the remarkable result is that the lioness vanishes into thin air, and Berringer falls into a cataleptic trance, while the mighty figure of a maned lion is seen walking away - the very archetypal image on which he had been meditating.
Bizarre huh? It's only beginning. He now lies in a coma, and his home and the surrounding area become the place of severe archetypal activity. At one point, the archetypal enormous butterfly appears and all the normal butterflys of the world fly back into it. Totally wild.
I cannot begin to scratch the surface of all the very strange happenings that take place in the book, but I think overall it is meaning to say that man ought to be able to rule all of these forces. There is one man in the book that does, and the story ends with him as a second Adam "naming the beasts" and establishing dominion over them.
To "get it" and maintain interest in this book a reader should have a pre-familiarity with Platonic theory. It is by no means an easy read.

Average customer rating:

Lovely, eloquent classic

Cat Club Review: www.freewebs.com/hlgstrider

Another Great DiCamillo Classic

Short, insightful story...

the tiger rising

The Tiger Rising
Kate Dicamillo
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

Because of Winn-Dixie

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (Mercy Watson)

Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Mercy Watson)

ASIN: 0763609110
Release Date: 2001-03-01

Amazon.com

Kate DiCamillo's first novel Because of Winn-Dixie won a Newbery Honor in 2000 for the no-nonsense charm and wisdom of its down-home young heroine, Opal. Also set in Florida, The Tiger Rising is more of a short story in scope, the tale of 12-year-old Rob Horton who finds a caged tiger in the woods behind the Kentucky Star Motel where he lives with his dad. The tiger is so incongruous in this setting, Rob views the apparition as some sort of magic trick. Indeed, the tiger triggers all sorts of magic in Rob's life--for one thing, it takes his mind off his recently deceased mother and the itchy red blisters on his legs that the wise motel housekeeper, Willie May, says is a manifestation of the sadness that Rob keeps "down low."

Something else for Rob to think about is Sistine (as in the chapel), a new city girl with fierce black eyes who challenges him to be honest with her and himself. Spurred by the tiger, events collide to break Rob out of his silent introspection, to form a new friendship with Sistine, a new understanding with his father, and most important, to lighten his heart. This novel is about cages--the consequences of escape as well as imprisonment. The story and symbolism are clear as a bell, and the emotions ring true. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

An extraordinary new novel of friendship by Kate DiCamillo, author of the celebrated debut novel BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE.

Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger—a real-life, very large tiger—pacing back and forth in a cage. What’s more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things—like memories, and heartache, and tigers—can’t be locked up forever.

Customer Reviews:

Lovely, eloquent classic.......2007-08-17

This is a beautiful book, both in the style of writing and in the story itself, and is sure to be a classic of children's literature. The characters are so well developed that the reader feels as if they are looking in on a real town and its happenings for a brief while and it is a truly inspiring glimpse. This is not just a book for children but a poetic and touching little tale. I highly recommend it to anyone. This book stands up to multiple readings and join equally recommended classics such as Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson or the works of E. L. Konigsberg.

Cat Club Review: www.freewebs.com/hlgstrider.......2007-07-13

I think I like The Tiger Rising better in retrospect than I did when I read it. It's a lot like looking back on how your parents raised you and realizing that all the go to bed, eat your vegetables, and occasional spankings weren't random acts of cruelty but rather a part of a plan implemented out of love. Likewise it took me awhile to recover from the cold shock of Kate DiCamillo's ending to appreciate all she had done in this book.
The Tiger Rising is the story of two children: shy, sad Rob who has recently lost his mother, and stubborn, sharp Sistine whose father ran off with another woman abandoning her in a small, southern town she hates. Both hate school and long for friendship . . . enter the tiger.
A tiger does not belong in a rusty, iron cage behind a southern hotel, but that is where he is, and the wonder of this creature captures the children. What is there to do but allow the tiger to escape?
The writing is truly amazing. As Rob puts it (about Sistine, but it applies to Ms. DiCamillo):
"Her words sounded the way all those things made him feel, as if the world, the real world, had been punched through, so that he could see something wonderful and dazzling on the other side of it."
Also, I always hesitate before calling someone a Christian author. It's as if I think the moment I do a P.R. Agent will write me and inform me that actually she is a Shiite Muslim, so I won't call Kate DiCamillo a Christian author. I will say, however, that she is an author Christians can rest comfortably in and have no fear.
She is a great writer.

Another Great DiCamillo Classic.......2007-07-07

The Tiger Rising was another great book by Kate DiCamillo. I picked this one up after reading The Tale of Despereaux and falling in love with that one. I've become a huge fan of her after reading these two books and can't wait to get my hands on a copy of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

The Tiger Rising centers around a young boy by the name of Rob who keeps his emotions wrapped up inside. His mother has died recently and he and his father have moved from Kentucky to Florida so that his father could escape the heartbreak of losing her. They now live in the Kentucky Star Motel. His father has instilled in Rob that he should not show tears over his mother's death and that he should be strong, so Rob packs all of his emotions away "into a suitcase." He does this in all aspects of his life. He's picked on at school and instead of getting upset, he ignores it. Instead of voicing his dislike of anything, he pretends to not be bothered by it.

There's a new girl in town by the name of Sistine and she has the opposite problem of Henry. She has too much anger and displays it outwardly to everyone and comes off as quite arrogant. In a twist of events, Rob and Sistine become friends.

Rob has made a discovery that there is a tiger being kept in a cage in the woods behind the motel that he and his father are living in and shares this secret with Sistine. Thoughts and emotions are shared between the friends and a wise maid by the name of Willie May who works for the motel.

The Tiger Rising, like Despereaux, faces issues head on. Kate DiCamillo is not afraid to work with strong emotions and when she does address them, she does so beautifully. This book is written wonderfully and can be enjoyed by anyone. I can see it being especially meaningful to a child who has gone through loss of any kind at a young age.

Short, insightful story..........2007-06-10

Kate DiCamillo is the author of the Newbery-winning The Tale of Despereaux and the recent The Remarkable Journey of Edward Tulane. The Tiger Rising is a young adult novel from 2001 about twelve-year-old Rob Horton, the friend he finds in Sistine and his grief concerning the death of his mother. It's a short, insightful story.

the tiger rising.......2007-06-04

I think they should read The Tiger Rising because it is a good book but at the same time it is sad. And it has alot
of cool stuff to. And i think its mean sometimes to cause animals die. Sothat is why you should read this book.

Secret Places of the Lion: Alien Influences on Earth's Destiny

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Far Out to Lunch...
The Truth In A New Light
A striking esoteric deep view
Not to be missed or you will never get home!

Secret Places of the Lion: Alien Influences on Earth's Destiny
George Hunt Williamson
Manufacturer: Destiny Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0892816015
Release Date: 1996-04-01

Book Description

Early traditions speak of the arrival of "radiant beings from heaven," self-sacrificing guardians of the human race who have reincarnated as pivotal figures in the panorama of human history to assist in the work of evolution. Secret Places of the Lion shows how these "great ones" have helped mankind for thousands of years, hiding their secrets in tombs, caverns, temple ruins, and catacombs. Posing as wanderers, they would declare universal wisdom and truth at certain periods of history when people were prepared to receive it; then they would withdraw for a time to see what was done with the new-found knowledge. Thus, the rises and plateaus of our cultural history emerged.

Classic in the UFO field.

Many years after his death, the author still has a devoted following.

Customer Reviews:

Far Out to Lunch..........2006-05-22

George Hunt Williamson was a very strange character indeed, and this is one of his first books, originally published in 1958, and having been kept pretty much continuously in print ever since. Any trip to a used book store will turn up several earlier paperback editions.

Williamson basically retells a portion of the history of ancient Egypt, and recites the mythology of the Old and New Testaments, but reshuffles most dates (where there are dates) by up to 1,000 years and presents the whole story as the continuous adventures of about six different characters, continuously reincarnated, most of whom start out in the imaginary Theosophical Lemuria.

At the bottom of every other page, Williamson notes that "records will soon be discovered" to confirm the details of his story, but is fairly coy (if not completely reticent) about where he himself got those details which he recites without reference or source. Actually, Williamson was pretty handy with a Ouija board, and I suspect his "boarding sessions" (as he called them) were the main source of the "plot" of the present volume. Every once in a while, Williamson mentions the (imaginary) monastery of "The Brotherhood of the Seven Rays" near Lake Titicaca in Peru, as invented by mid-1950s flying saucer cult leader Marion Dorothy Martin. Not coincidentally, Williamson was a follower of the cult, and I suspect some details here are owed to Martin, not to Williamson's imagination. At least one of Williamson's later books was written under the pen name of "Brother Philip," described as a supposed member of the monastery. The "ancient astronaut" or "space god" theme later popularized by Von Daeniken is continuously present within the story, yet not ever a major part of it.

For those familar with the lore of pseudoscience, the best thumbnail description of the book is that it's a deconstruction of the Old and New Testaments based largely on Theosophy. It's also completely valueless for any imaginable purpose... even as merely an example of imaginative fiction. Like many 1950s "ufoological" books, it's a volume of which one can say, "What hath Madame Helena P. Blavatsky wrought?"

The Truth In A New Light.......2002-02-27

This book reveals the truths of ages lost and understandings that man has fogotten. It is definitely is a book to read if you wish to understand the true nature of the Light and those who help it to progress.

A striking esoteric deep view.......1999-04-08

You need to be already familiar with esotericism to read and appreciate that, but for those who are ready, it is of good value. This book gives the right light on Egypt and Israel servants of light, children of the stars. I'm understanding now how the two are linked, are part of the same thing. Very good indeed.

Not to be missed or you will never get home!.......1999-03-08

This book is the ticket for all those who feel that they have been a Someone (not of this place) before and feel instinctively that they are lost, trapped in this dimension and a long, long way from home.

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helping to save cheetahs

Caring for Cheetahs
Rosanna Hansen
Manufacturer: Boyds Mills Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1590783875

Customer Reviews:

helping to save cheetahs.......2007-09-23

Only about 12,000 cheetahs are left in the wild, and about 3,000 of them are in Namibia in southwestern Africa. Namibia is the location of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, where the author lived and worked while writing this book. The book begins by explaining what the CCF does, saving injured cheetahs and either rehabilitating them and releasing them back into the wild or giving them a good home and food for the rest of their lives. The book also gives information on how cheetahs hunt and live in the wild. It ends with what the reader can do to help this endangered species to survive. It also contains a glossary and an index.

This book is packed with beautiful pictures and detailed information about cheetahs. The author talks about her experiences working with the cheetahs in a very casual, personal way that makes it fun to read. It is a good read for animal lovers who are interested in endangered species. Readers will also be happy to know that portions of the proceeds from the book will be donated to the Cheetah Conservation Fund's programs.

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Lionboy Trilogy
A children's classic
The Best of the Trilogy
Just not as good
Lion Boy 2 Review

Lionboy: The Truth (Lionboy Trilogy)
Zizou Corder
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142407054

Book Description

After months of searching, not to mention leading a pride of escaped circus lions through Europe and all the way back to Africa, Catspeaker Charlie Ashanti has finally been reunited with his parents—and a long-lost relative with a huge secret to reveal. But their family reunion doesn't last long. Kidnapped and thrown in a boat, Charlie finds himself alone and bound for who knows where. Charlie's parents and his faithful lion friends are in hot pursuit, but can Charlie outwit his captor and topple the Corporacy's wicked enterprise? That's the plan, and Charlie intends to pull it off—no matter the cost.

Customer Reviews:

Lionboy Trilogy.......2007-06-28

I listened to the first book going to and from work. I was hooked; I had to purchase the other 2 audio books. I loved this. I will purchase the books in paperback or hardcover for my middle school library. Great series

A children's classic.......2007-03-19

The Lionboy trilogy is a breath of fresh air in a domain currently dominated by fantasy. Set in an imaginative post-environmental-disaster Europe, the hero, 10-year-old Charlie, sets out to find his parents who have been kidnapped, embarking on a rolicking set of adventures across the English Channel, France, Venice, the Mediterranean, Africa and the Caribbean. While the first book takes a while to gain momentum, by the time you hit the second and third (Lionboy: The Truth) the adventure whips you along, full of twists and turns, breathtaking escapes and unexpected discoveries. The characters (which include lions, cats, a nasty evil corporation, gondoliers, and a Bulgarian king) are beautifully crafted and the hero's gritty determination is something with which any child (and adult, too) will relate. The animals are a sheer delight. The books are interspersed with detailed, charming illustrations that enhance the sheer pleasure of the experience. These are books to be read aloud or to savour under the bedcovers at night.

The Best of the Trilogy.......2007-02-02

Having read the trilogy over the past few months, I was impressed with the quality of this last book. The author uses richer language than in the previous books, and lots more diagrams are included to help visualize the locations.

A few big surprises at the beginning of the book, and an awesome adventure all through.

Just not as good.......2007-01-18

With the humor and tight plotting of LIONBOY, the thrill, excitement, and, yes, more humor of LIONBOY: THE CHASE, this last book came off just kind of...dry. Charlie isn't as interesting, the humor falls short, there is more of Africa and less of Venice (I've got nothing against Africa, of course, and the story wouldn't have worked without it, but the Venetian setting was just perfect in the second book. I mean, lions in Venice?), Charlie's parents are more brusque and dumb than they seemed when they were portrayed as caring, brilliant people, and the ending was much too tidy, even resorting to checking off loose ends and telling what happened. I didn't really mind that so much; the author's style fit it. It was the other flaws that kept staring me in the face. When you strip away the technical details, LIONBOY: THE TRUTH just wasn't as fun, as funny, as exciting as the previous books, with hardly any convincing new characters and the flattening of the old good ones. King Boris and a few others made the second book the best, in my opinion, and he hardly get any screen time (or, I suppose, page time) in this one.

About halfway through the book I realized I was reading it for the sole purpose of getting it off my To-Read shelf, something I'd never felt when zipping through the previous two. I don't like circus books, but I loved the first book, LIONBOY. What does that tell you?

My advice is to read the first two and skip this one. If you're desperate for a conclusion (even though it's one everyone saw from a mile away) then read it, but don't expect it to be anywhere near the quality of the first two.

2 1/2 stars.

P.S. Why does EVERYONE love Charlie?! It's incredibly unrealistic, and in this book I ended up trying to pick him apart for something to DISLIKE. I much prefer it when characters -- or even ONE character -- bad-mouth the main character, making you want to stick up for them. This technique is employed masterfully in Harry Potter with Harry and Snape -- why can't Corder just insert an anti-Charlie who happens to be neutral, not with the bad guys? Not everyone's going to like someone.

Rating: Average

Lion Boy 2 Review.......2007-01-09

Book arrived promptly and in promised condition. Recipient enjoyed storyline very much.

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The wonders of sundiata
Sundiata
Ignore previous review
Okay, but how do people view Sologon as extraordinary?
Cheers for the Real Lion King

Sundiata: Lion King of Mali
David Wisniewski
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0395764815

Book Description

In the thirteenth century, Sundiata overcame physical handicaps, social disgrace, and strong opposition to rule the West African trading empire of Mali.

Customer Reviews:

The wonders of sundiata.......2005-12-13

My history teacher read us this book and thought it was great. I hope to own it some day. also the pictures are beautiful.

Sundiata.......2005-06-19

With an intended audience range of 4 year olds to 8 years old, this book treads on dangerous territory. In a culture of violence, do we really want to introduce sorcery, curses, witches, and violence in a positive light to our pre-schoolers? I give 1 star as a token vote for the admirable illustrations.

Ignore previous review.......2004-10-23

For anyone concerned by the previous Nov. 2003 review - Wisniewski's book does not contain this episode. The reviewer must be thinking of another version (although I can't argue with the sentiment!)

Okay, but how do people view Sologon as extraordinary?.......2003-11-09

This book was basically like a prophecy to be filledand I didn'y like how Sologon nad to be drugged to become pregnant by her husband. Marriage doesn't mean controlling someone's body or mind. Marriage is vows and commitment.

Cheers for the Real Lion King.......2000-06-14

Anyone who wants to introduce a child (or even someone who is not so young) to the REAL glories of ancient Africa could do a lot worse than start with this book.

Beautifully illustrated, and simply written it retells the life of the great culture hero Sunjata (variously spelled Sundiata, Son-Jara or other ways depending on the language and inclination of the translator).

According to the story, Sunjata defeated the sorcerer-king Suma'oro Kante and liberated the Manding people (of modern day Guinea, Mali, plus parts of Senegal, Gambia, Cote D'Ivoire and Burkina Faso) wielding them together into a great empire in the mid 13th century. To modern Manding poeple, Sunjata is roughly equivalent in stature to Abraham Lincoln, Moses or the first Qin Emperor.

This version is very close to the original tale as told by the griots of west Africa (check out D.T. Niane's "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali" for a traditional telling of the story or, for the really adventurous, D.W. Johnson and Fa-Digi Cissoko's scholarly rendition "Son-Jara: An African Epic"). A sung version of part of the Sunjata fassa (epic praise poem) can be found on the CD "An Be Kelen (We are One): Griot Music from Mali" also available on Amazon.

Sunjata's story includes sorcery, prodigious battles, and the triumph of nobility over gossip and envy. For modern readers, an especially powerful feature is the famous story of Sunjata overcoming childhood disability (he is crippled and -in some versions, unable to talk) to become the leader of the Malian people.

One final critical point: While Wisniewski's version is fairly faithful to the original, it should be pointed out that key secondary figures (such as Sunjata's mother Sogolon Keju, his sister Nana Triban, Fran Camara (the king of the Blacksmith clan), and above all, Sunjata's griot Bala Fasseke Kouyate) are given little mention. Thus it replicates a western emphasis on key individuals rather than stressing the importance of each of the various segments of Manding society (men, women, siblings, parents, warriors, traders, sorcerers, griots, blacksmiths, farmers)which was an essential point in the original story.

This is a beautiful, skillfully-rendered book on an exciting topic. Sunjata belongs with the Viking Sagas and the Knights of the Round Table as a key example of world literature. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

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