A book to inspire you to Free Tibet
I’ve never been to Tibet. But I grew up seeing “Free Tibet” bumper stickers, and I’m an ardent admirer of the Dalai Lama. That’s all the Tibetan background needed to love and appreciate today’s recommended read:
Running on the Roof of the World, by Jess Butterworth
Summary:
After her parents are arrested by Chinese soldiers because of their religious beliefs, twelve-year-old Tash an her best friend Sam travel from their home in Tibet across the Himalayas to India in order to seek the help of the Dalai Lama.
I’d say this is a perfect read-aloud book, though my husband and I both enjoyed reading it individually.
Running on the Roof of the World is an action-packed book, a story of courage, hope and a powerful will to survive. It also has a happy—or at least a hopeful ending, which is a must for me, these days.
It’s also historical fiction in that the story’s bones are true, if not, perhaps, the specifics of Tash’s adventure. It brings Tibet’s sad reality to life for those who know and those who don’t yet know that “Free Tibet” was not a random campaign.
What I loved:
- Tash, our girl hero (Piper Pan has nothing on Tash!)
- The yaks, Eve and Bones. (Eve makes me want to go out and get a yak of my own!)
- The vivid way Ms. Butterworth brings this adventure and Tibet, a singular high altitude world, to life
- The Dalai Lama with his humble, simple, and surprising power
- The premise that Hope leads us on unexpected pathways.
- The friendship between Tash and Sam, the way they had to trust each other to succeed.
While the words I’ve written here are few, they are more than enough to send you off to your library to put a hold on this fine novel: Running on the Roof of the World, by Jess Butterworth. It will make you want to Free Tibet!