Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tates Creek High library staffers Cindy Brookes and Amber Tongate talked about "Three Cups of Tea" at April's faculty book club meeting. (Photo: Tammy L. Lane)

When a handful of teachers and staff gathered for a book club meeting after school at Tates Creek High last week, the scene was the little coffee shop tucked inside the school library. But the topic was tea – “Three Cups of Tea,” to be precise.

The book, about a mountain climber-turned school builder named Greg Mortenson, is the true story of an extraordinary humanitarian mission that shows how one person has the power to bring about tremendous change. It’s this year’s choice for One Book One Lexington, sponsored by the Lexington Public Library.

“We thought it was a subject that everybody could get on board with,” said Kelli Dean, program coordinator. Also, the book is available in three forms: adult (nonfiction), abridged young reader version and a children’s picture book called “Listen to the Wind.”

One Book One Lexington is a communitywide initiative to encourage everyone in town to read and discuss the same book during April. The idea originated in Seattle about 10 years ago; most major cities now have an annual program.

The Lexington library bought about 1,000 copies of “Three Cups of Tea” for lending and giving away – leaving some at hair salons, jury rooms, doctors’ offices and such, and providing some to schools for classroom discussion.

At Henry Clay High School, students in Elise Perry’s AP World History class are reading it for an extra credit assignment.

“The One Book program benefits students because it involves them in their community and offers them an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way,” Perry said. “This book in particular also allows students to consider and discuss greater global issues.”

Dean picked “Three Cups of Tea” after seeing it on bestseller lists and hearing about it on television news shows. “It’s just a tremendous story – a great humanitarian story,” she said.

The eight women who met Thursday at Tates Creek agreed Mortenson’s efforts are commendable. Through his nonprofit Central Asia Institute, he has built more than 80 schools in the region since 1993.

“It’s always important to see another culture from another perspective,” said school librarian Jennifer Prall. “This book does a good job of showing the everyday life of people in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

The book club, which is also open to students who want to earn extra credit in English class, talked about the big picture (war and poverty) and about the little things, too (Mortenson’s seeming naivety and his generous heart).

“He made the political point that you could accomplish so much more by teaching children than by going in there with guns,” said school counselor Sue Ruddy.

“The more he travels, the more he sees things that need to be done,” added librarian Amber Tongate, who coordinates the 6-year-old book club.

Club member Delores Minor teaches history in the International Baccalaureate program as well as the Experienced-Based Career Education (EBCE) course at Tates Creek. She recommended “Three Cups of Tea” to her students, especially those with a passion or seniors seeking direction.

“I think one person can set an example and be a model,” Minor said.

• More on the book and the authors, plus discussion questions and a list of related library programs and activities