This is an amazing story, told in picture book form, about how a tribe in Africa responded to the events of September 11, 2001. It is so inspiring and heart warming to read about how this tribe was so heart broken about how terrorists harmed our country on that day that they opened their own hearts to America. One of their tribesmen had come to America to go to school and had gone back to visit - telling them of the events about 6 months after it happened. The artwork is gorgeous and I love this story of incredible empathy for strangers. When you read about the Masai tribe and what their life is like without computers, TV, etc. You might think how sad that they are so poor. As you read the story though you see they are rich in family and community and I thought that perhaps Americans could be more impoverished than them. Their gift for America is beautiful. Reading this book gave me hope for humanity. The pictures are beautiful and vivid which really makes you feel a sense of compassion for the world. The story is about a Kenyan young man who gets a scholarship to study in America in order to become a doctor. During his time in the states, he experiences the terrible attack of 9/11. He returns to Kenya and tells his tribe about the terrible things that happened in New York. His tribe are cow herders and they felt extremely sad after hearing what happened in the US. The tribe wanted to in a way heal the broken hearts of Americans so they decided to give 14 cows to the United States. This alone was enough to have me in tears. It’s so amazing how these people would give everything they had in order to make others feel better. Showing this wonderful story to a classroom will show students the importance of gratitude and culture. The young man’s tribe gave the cows to America and danced for the country in order to mend it’s broken heart.
A short interesting story about differences in culture and common concern for human suffering.
—Anjli
A touching book, I didn't know what to expect but when I finally got to it, it was nice.
—Isamar
Amazing book about 9/11. No nation so big they can't hurt. No nation too small to help.
—sioux2
Definitely a book for upper elementary.
—jamil
Powerful story!
—kevin
