The Leopard Tree [Kindle Edition]

Lisa Brochu (Author), Tim Merriman (Author)

Book Description

Three orphans from Kenya stow away on an airplane to embark on a desperate quest to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York City and deliver a message they hope will help millions of homeless and hurting children in Africa. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz becomes their guidebook as they journey alone across the United States. The trio--one with HIV, one blind amputee, and one who hasn't spoken for years after watching her family slaughtered--find themselves embroiled in a situation beyond their imaginations as they get close to meeting their goal.

The Leopard Tree won the Best Young Adult Fiction Award in 2008 with Writer's Digest International Self-published Competition and a Third Place EVVY in the Fiction Division of Colorado Independent Publisher's Awards in 2008. This book was written with the hope of raising awareness of the millions of people in Africa who suffer the effects of malnutrition,malaria, HIV/AIDS, and the unspeakable atrocities associated with armed conflicts.

Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman have spent the last four decades helping people connect with our global natural and cultural heritage. This is their first work of adult fiction, but they have several other non-fiction books in print. Through their books and speaking engagements, they hope to help others to know more and do more about the daily challenges in meeting basic needs that face tens of millions of people in developing nations. When they are not traveling the globe, Tim and Lisa live in Fort Collins, Colorado, on a small farm where they raise much of their own food. They can be contacted by email at [e-mail] and [e-mail].

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Leopard Tree brings to life, through Daudi, Masozi, and Ramla, the paradox of Africa. It is a continent where so many struggle with so little, and yet, so many live daily with tumaini (Swahili, translates to hope ). Merriman and Brochu capture the inherent hope and innocence of childhood while also issuing a call for action that makes us all want to join these three children in their quest. --Julie Cutler (consultant) email

Tim and Lisa congratulations on your book! I felt that you captured the heart of the African children who have aids and disabilities that limit their chance of a healthy survival. I say survival having worked with blind and disabled orphans in central Tanzania in a village called Wasa. After working with blind orphans on my second trip and witnessing such dire straits, I decided to return to Africa and construct a wing on an existing orphanage. Reading your book brought back many of the emotions that I felt when I was there. Bravo to you for raising awareness of the plight of the African youth while trying to instill a hope for humanity. Joe Wodiuk (contractor) The Leopard Tree grabbed every emotion I had and brought it to the surface. I couldn t put it down! This book allows one to question the fairness of this world and ask how one small person can help. Being a teacher and also visiting Africa myself, I am excited to present this book to my peers and classroom; for I know The Leopard Tree will be an excellent piece of literature that students and teachers can discuss. This book will be a springboard into broadening minds and opening hearts. Congratulations on a superb piece of work! Jill Wodiuk (teacher) --Joe and Jill Wodiuk email

This is a fantastic story. It drew me in immediately and painted a vivid picture of the plight of so many children in Africa. I found it tragic and inspiring at the same time. It was emotional, but also provided much food for thought. In short I loved reading it and think it's a story well worth telling. --Sheila Caputo (artist) letter

About the Author

Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman have spent the last four decades helping people connect with our global natural and cultural heritage. Through their books and speaking engagements, they hope to help others to know more and do more about the daily challenges in meeting basic needs that face tens of millions of people in developing nations. When they are not traveling the globe, Tim and Lisa live in Fort Collins, Colorado, on a small farm where they raise much of their own food.

Product Details

• File Size: 455 KB
• Print Length: 158 pages
• Publisher: Heartfelt Publications (July 1, 2007)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005A1GFLM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,235 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Touching June 20, 2011

By Nancy Bernard

Format:Paperback

Ever think you can't make a difference? Ever wonder how change happens in the world? Ever desire to do something "big?" Then this book is for you. It will inspire you to do what YOU can do in your own sphere of influence to make a positive difference in your world. The story follows three young African orphans on their own "yellow brick road" adventure from Africa to New York to deliver their plea to the U.N. for aid to people who have been ravaged by war. The Leopard Tree puts three, innocent child faces to lifeless statistics. It inspires the reader to act by reminding him, in poignant terms, that war inflicts atrocities on the innocent.

This book gripped me from the beginning and stirred my mind and heart. It may inspire you to find your own way "to be the change you want to see."

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A deftly written and award-winning novel April 14, 2009

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Perfect Paperback

"The Leopard Tree" by Tim Merriman" is the gripping story of three orphans (one of whom is a blind amputee, another who is HIV positive, and the third who became mute since seeing her family slaughtered before her eyes) living in the abject poverty of Kenya determine to travel to America in order to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York City and give him a message they hope will result in helping the millions of homeless and hurting children in Africa. Their guidebook is a copy of "The Wizard of Oz". Their encounters, their adventures, and their determination form the core of a gripping novel specifically and expertly written to engage the attention and interest of young adults -- as well as drawing their attention to the real-world, real-life plight of so many damaged young lives to the atrocities arising from the wars, diseases, and environmental changes that chronically afflict the peoples of Africa. A deftly written and award-winning novel, "The Leopard Tree" is a very strongly recommended addition to school and community library YA fiction collections.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration to Create Change June 23, 2008

By Kelly C. Farrell

Format:Perfect Paperback

The Leopard Tree is a story I won't forget. It's a story that's touched my mind and heart in permanent ways. Everyone loves a page-turner, the kind of book you can't put down because of the entertaining journey it takes you on--and this is one of those--but it is also so much more. The Leopard Tree's story left me feeling inspired and empowered to create positive change in the world. This is a book I can recommend to my wide circle of friends, from the most serious academics to the moms with elementary-age kids looking for a story adventure to go on together. You'll want to buy at least two of these, one to be a "keeper" on the shelf that you pull down to read over and over again each year, and another (or two, or five) to give as gifts. Be sure to visit the website too, [...], which has good content for extending your Leopard Tree reading experience, including the authors' Africa image gallery, tips for further reading, and ideas for being the change you wish to see in the world.