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.
Facing the Lion
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Gr. 5-12. This simple memoir is the extraordinary story of a poor nomadic boy in Kenya who literally travels across the world but never abandons home. Lekuton grew up in Kenya's poorest tribe, herding cows and playing in trees and hyena holes before he entered a missionary boarding school and went to college in the U.S. Now he teaches in Virginia, but he has never lost his Maasai roots, and he returns home to help his people several months a year. Looking back without romanticism or self-pity, he remembers how it was: the joy and excitement, the constant hunger and moving, and the traditions, including the circumcision ceremony that made him a man. The Cinderella theme begins in Kenya where he's the shabby kid accepted at a fancy Nairobi high school. Later he travels to his college interview in a cattle truck with the cows. What gives this short, readable book its power is Lekuton's authoritative, intimate view of now and then. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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"Every home should have this book."
--"The Baltimore Afro-American"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joseph Lekuton is our hero.,
By
This review is from: Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna (Hardcover)
Until 3 years ago, Joseph Lekuton was the only person from my village to ever go to college. Today a small number of us whom he helped all through high school both financially and as a sole role model in the villages have something to smile on. Facing the Lion is a constant inspiration to me , it gives me the strength to take on every challenge. When College life becomes a lion to me, I reach for Facing The Lion ! Lekuton's journey is every nomadic child's journey the difference is that he had no one to look to but my agemates and I have a big picture in Joseph Lekuton and Facing the Lion is a living testimony that whatever you do today seeds the future .
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Thousand Points of Light,
By Kit Chamberlain (Manchester, Vermont USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna (Hardcover)
As Trustee of a private foundation that supports projects in countries like Kenya in the developing world, I was particularly moved by Joseph's story. I have been to his part of the world. He truly represents that "Point of Light" we always hope will emerge. Joseph's message is a universal one. Success is measured by the quality of the person you become not how much you acquire in a material sense. You must look for opportunities, develop strong values, work hard and believe in yourself. With great humor and a flair for story telling, Joseph captures your imagination as you follow him through his adventurous rites of passage. It's a real page turner! I feel this book is destined to become a classic for all ages.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fascinating True Story,
This review is from: Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna (Hardcover)
"Facing the Lion" is a truly amazing story about a boy growing up with his Maasai people in Kenya, and later - through incredible twists and turns in his life - comes to the United States for college, and even an MBA. Joseph Lekuton writes in such a way that one is drawn into his life, and it reflects his loving relationship with his people and the land. He is living a most unusual life, and as far as he has come, he never forgets where he has come from. I can't wait to read volume two!! While it is written for young people, I find it absolutely alluring as an adult, and couldn't stop reading until I was finished. An exciting and uplifting story of what amazing things can happen in the life of one man, and to each of us.
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