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Three Cups of Tea (by David Relin, Greg Mortenson, Sarah Thomson)

common sense media says

Uplifting true story adapted for younger readers.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know this inspirational story offers a positive message about reining in consumption in a world where many have so little. The protagonist's life is in danger in a few tense situations; he also receives hate mail from people who disagree with his politics. Younger kids may be distressed that he leaves his own family for long periods, which upsets his children. While the publisher recommends the book for age 8 and up -- and there's not much inappropriate content -- younger readers may be bored by the mostly adult action and confused by the regional and international politics (even a glossary doesn't make things like "warlord" or "refugee" easy to understand). Middle-grade readers (age 10 and up) will likely find it more engaging.

Positive messages: Most of the behavior is inspirational, as Greg works to build schools in isolated, impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. A corrupt man steals some of Greg's building materials and tries to make him build a school in his village. When Greg tries to push the workers building the school, his mentor tells him, "We may be uneducated. But we are not stupid. We have lived and survived here a long time." Greg says this taught him the most important lesson he ever learned: "Make building relationships as important as building projects ... I had more to learn from the people I work with than I could ever hope to teach them." A regional chief demands an unfair cut of profits and beats people who don't pay. He forces the village to pay half their wealth in exchange for his "permission" to build the school. Girls are forbidden to attend school in some areas and socially ostracized for pursuing their education even when schooling is available. An interview with Greg's daughter shows her to be an extremely articulate spokeswoman who urged her father to add playgrounds and free lunches to the schools. Some people (Americans) send Greg hate mail because they disagree with his politics.
Violence: Armed men kidnap Greg; he worries they'll murder him. Refugees escape a war zone; one girl dies on the way. Greg is in Pakistan on 9/11; his American companions worry about their safety there. Greg pushes an anti-violence message: "If we want a legacy of peace for our children," he says, "we need to understand that this is a war that will ultimately be won with books, not with bombs."
Sex: Greg kisses a woman he just met; they marry six days later.
Language: A regional chief calls Greg a "kafir" (infidel).
Consumerism: Greg sells all his possessions to fund his trip to Pakistan. In an interview, Greg's 12-year-old daughter says, "I think kids could totally care more. Instead of asking their mom for $20 to go buy this plastic kung fu ninja that came out, they could say, 'You know what, maybe I don't need this. Maybe I can buy nothing this time.' "
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Opium smugglers are mentioned.
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More on Three Cups of Tea

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about ways that kids can make a difference in the world (the book offers several avenues for involvement). Do you have to do as much as Greg to contribute? In an interview with Greg's 12-year-old daughter Amira, she says that compared to children in Pakistan, "we are spoiled ... We have so much more than them and we're still picky." After reading the book, do you agree? Are there ways to cut back on consumption?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Thwarted in his attempt to get to the top of Pakistan's K2, mountain climber Greg Mortenson lost his way coming back down the second-highest mountain in the world and ended up in a small, isolated village. After bonding with the villagers, he promised to return and build a school -- and he did, despite many obstacles. He continued to visit the region as director of the Central Asia Institute, building additional schools and public work projects, despite dangers such as a kidnapping and death threats. In this edition adapted for middle-grade readers (a picture book version for even younger readers called Listen to the Wind is also available), black-and-white pictures and a section of color photographs help young readers connect with the villagers and their children. It also features an entertaining and enlightening interview with Greg's daughter, Amira.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Who's going to tempt karma by picking apart a book about a man's selfless pursuit to help others? Not this reviewer. Sure, the writing is prosaic, but the story certainly isn't. THREE CUPS OF TEA's best moments offer insight into other cultures and ways of life -- such as when Pakistani hunters kill an ibex and hand cubes of fat out to the children, "who sucked on them like candy."

Greg's ability to make friends and forge relationships -- strangers give him $20,000 checks, and men make 20 trips carrying 90-pound bags of cement to help him -- form the book's heart. The book avoids didactism, even when it might be helpful to include additional context to help American children born into a world of iPods and Wiis grasp the poverty and stark lives of children in other countries. Perhaps on some level they'll relate to the quiet power of Greg's Pakistani mentor, who spent hours with the Koran despite not being able to read. Being illiterate "is the greatest sadness in my life," he tells Greg. "I'll do anything so the children of my village never have to know this feeling."

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: David Relin, Greg Mortenson, Sarah Thomson
Publisher: Puffin
Publication date: January 22, 2009
Number of pages: 215
Paperback price: $8.99
Read Aloud: 8
Read Alone: 10
This review was written by Stephanie Dunnewind
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

bolbol555
adult
9
 
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (7)
Phoeberainbow
kid, 13 years old
10
 
I really love this book, but may be scary.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
AlinaW.
teen, 16 years old
10
 
Awesome messages trump dullness at times . . .
The story of Greg Mortinson and his pursuit to eventually build a ton of schools in Pakistan is a great one, but if you're over 12, I'd suggest that you read the actual version of Three Cups of Tea. It's a little more factual, and can get a bit boring at times as they describe the building process a little too extensively, etc. but it's generally a great book with a great lesson. There's a little bit of talk of sex, violence, etc. but nothing mature tweens and teens can't handle. An awesome story and an awesome man in this book.
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dragonsrule
kid, 12 years old
8
 
What IS it like to live in Pakistan?
I really enjoyed this book. It is about a man's mission to help the world by educating kids in Pakistan. I think this book is good for kids 8 and up to read to themselves if they are good readers or kids 7 to be read to.
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kananbengali
parent of 13 year old
12
 
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Lilium Natalia
teen, 14 years old
8
 
Good non-fiction book for ages 8 and up
Some of the events may be frightening to younger readers, but nothing too bad. What Greg Mortenson did for the people of Korphe was amazing. I hope to read the original soon.
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MagicRabbit
kid, 12 years old
9
 
Brilliant!
It was an AMAZING book. It made me cry and it got me thinking. It shows us that we are all so lucky, even when we think we don't have much. It reminded me that I should be grateful to have food on the table and a nice warm bed. I immediately joined a group to save up money for Pennies for Peace. I say 'on for 9 and up' because thats when kids can really savor it and understand it. A great book!
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littlebean10
kid, 11 years old
9
 
loved it
I loved this book! I was really touched.I thought it would be boring, but it wasn't.
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