14 Cows for America. Written by Carmen Agra Deedy in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Peachtree, 2009. ISBN 978-1-56145-490-7
Summary: Kimeli returns from his studies in America to visit with his family and village in an isolated corner of Kenya. His heart is both jubilant at seeing his people again, and heavy with the suffering and grief he witnessed in New York City on September 11, 2001. America had become his second home, and many Americans had treated him like their own son while he was studying to become a doctor.
Kimeli knows he must do something to help heal the pain left in so many hearts after the terrorist attacks. He shares the story of that tragic day with his tribespeople and decides to offer his one cow as a gift to America. He asks his village elders to bless the cow so that it becomes a sacred symbol of peaceful solidarity.
This act of kindness ripples throughout the entire village, and when the American diplomat arrives at the Maasai village to meet with Kimeli's people, the tribe has arrived at a plan to demonstrate their affection and respect for the people of the United States.
Critical Evaluation: Through Kimeli's firsthand account of his experiences in America and Kenya, Deedy has created a compassionate and genuine tale of true kindness between two very different groups of people. Without including specific details of the events of September 11, she has still achieved an accurate portrayal of the world's reaction through the emotional response of the Maasai upon hearing the story.
The inclusion of both narrative and illustrations that elaborate on the sacredness of the cow to the Maasai serve to emphasize the gravity of the tribe's gift to America. "To the Maasai, the cow is life", and this relationship is depicted beautifully in many of Gonzalez's illustrations, which practically glow with light from the brilliant African sun. The glorious reds of the tribe's robes are in striking contrast to the earthy browns, golds, and greens of the Kenyan landscape, and Gonzalez has captured the spirit of the Maasai people through his lifelike portraits which feature extremely detailed facial expressions.
The images of the Maasai people, their vibrant clothing, and the livestock and surrounding landscapes offer a realistic view of this region of Africa. This authenticity further supports the sincerity of the emotions and sacrifice documented in this work. Kimali's tale is deserving of inclusion in a social studies unit focusing on acts of terror and how people can respond in a way to offer continued hope for a better future.
Age or Interest Level: Grades 1 to 4
Lexile Level: 540L
Awards:Parents' Choice Gold Award, E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor