What do you think?
Rate this book
Chasing Courage: Coming of Age in the Mongolian Steppe
12-year-old Nergui invites you on an unforgettable journey across the endless Mongolian steppe. Join him at the monastery school in Kharkorin, and as he sits around the fire with the family near Bat Uulzii. Listen to ancient stories and witness firsthand the realities of growing up in this extraordinary yet demanding landscape.
When illness strikes Nergui's father, the young hero urges you to ride alongside him, racing against the clock to find help in a distant town. The steppe, beautiful but unforgiving, sets the stage. Wolves and malicious spirits are on the prowl, and trials await in the unknown town, adding to the dangers on a quest that will test the limits of Nergui's courage.
With only his persistence and his faithful steed for support, Nergui faces a task that goes beyond mere survival. He will show you the meaning of sacrifice, the depth of family love, and the true essence of courage.
Come along, a grand adventure awaits. Feel the thrill of galloping freely through the windswept grasslands, endure a fierce thunderstorm, and spend a night under the stars. The steppe calls - will you answer?
When illness strikes Nergui's father, the young hero urges you to ride alongside him, racing against the clock to find help in a distant town. The steppe, beautiful but unforgiving, sets the stage. Wolves and malicious spirits are on the prowl, and trials await in the unknown town, adding to the dangers on a quest that will test the limits of Nergui's courage.
With only his persistence and his faithful steed for support, Nergui faces a task that goes beyond mere survival. He will show you the meaning of sacrifice, the depth of family love, and the true essence of courage.
Come along, a grand adventure awaits. Feel the thrill of galloping freely through the windswept grasslands, endure a fierce thunderstorm, and spend a night under the stars. The steppe calls - will you answer?
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2024
2 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Karin Jensen
22 books15 followersI’ve been a passionate teacher all my life and love to help young people see beyond their immediate world of home, school, and community. The fact that book #1 in the series “Discover Remote Places”, VANUATU; THE FOREIGN EDUCATION OF ABEL, has reached bestseller status on Amazon proves that young readers are fascinated by the different and colorful cultures that make up our world.
Pat and Rosemarie Keough of the Canadian Explorers Club have hailed the book COMING OF AGE IN SULAWESI: A Tale of Tolerance and Friendship as a spring board for future study of an unknown culture, and Dr. Rizal Malik, former CEO of WWF calls the story beautifully written, with a clear message to teens.
I’ve lived in Austria, South America, Japan, Great Britain and Switzerland and am now a resident of Hawaii. I have traveled to more than 100 countries, and am eager to share my cultural experiences and insights with young readers with the aim of building bridges of understanding between peoples of different cultures.
Pat and Rosemarie Keough of the Canadian Explorers Club have hailed the book COMING OF AGE IN SULAWESI: A Tale of Tolerance and Friendship as a spring board for future study of an unknown culture, and Dr. Rizal Malik, former CEO of WWF calls the story beautifully written, with a clear message to teens.
I’ve lived in Austria, South America, Japan, Great Britain and Switzerland and am now a resident of Hawaii. I have traveled to more than 100 countries, and am eager to share my cultural experiences and insights with young readers with the aim of building bridges of understanding between peoples of different cultures.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 24, 2024
Fantastic story of a Mongolian boy who must conquer a desperate ride over the steppes to save his family. Highly recommend .
January 27, 2024
I received a Kindle edition of this book from Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for a review. I signed up for this particular Giveaway as it seemed like an ideal candidate for Popsugar Reading Challenge 2024’s prompt #2–A bildungsroman.
Chasing Courage: Coming of Age in the Mongolian Steppe is the story of Nergui, a 12 year old Mongolian boy. The story takes place during his summer vacation from boarding school. He’s looking forward to attending a popular athletic competition and festival but soon realizes his family’s plans will change this summer due to his father being ill.
While Nergui is lamenting his inability to attend the competition, he also realizes he’s going to have to undertake a dangerous solo journey across the steppe in order to try to find a doctor to attend to his worsening father.
Thus begins a captivating survival story that reminded me so much of Gary Paulsen’s books. During this part of the story, the reader is simply unable to put the book down!
Chasing Courage: Coming of Age in the Mongolian Steppe is the story of Nergui, a 12 year old Mongolian boy. The story takes place during his summer vacation from boarding school. He’s looking forward to attending a popular athletic competition and festival but soon realizes his family’s plans will change this summer due to his father being ill.
While Nergui is lamenting his inability to attend the competition, he also realizes he’s going to have to undertake a dangerous solo journey across the steppe in order to try to find a doctor to attend to his worsening father.
Thus begins a captivating survival story that reminded me so much of Gary Paulsen’s books. During this part of the story, the reader is simply unable to put the book down!
Currently reading
January 2, 2024I am absolutely thrilled that my book has finally made its way into the world after years of honing my writing skills. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm so grateful for this moment.
Have you ever wondered why every member of Nergui's Mongolian herder family tosses a handful of salt into the wind? Can you imagine spending a night alone on the vast steppe, accompanied only by your trusty horse? My dear friend Amarbayan shared these and many other experiences with me, and I'm eager to share the same sense of awe and wonder about this incredible culture with my young readers.
Through this story, I hope to expand my readers' horizons and nurture a deeper understanding between cultures. I've received tremendous support from my ARC readers, which has been a great source of encouragement. But now, I can't wait to hear your thoughts and read all your reviews, both the glowing ones and the not-so-glowing ones (okay, maybe not the bad ones, but you know what I mean).
Thank you so much for giving my book a chance! Sending you big "nuzzles on the forehead" and heartfelt "Bayr-laa" for your support!
Have you ever wondered why every member of Nergui's Mongolian herder family tosses a handful of salt into the wind? Can you imagine spending a night alone on the vast steppe, accompanied only by your trusty horse? My dear friend Amarbayan shared these and many other experiences with me, and I'm eager to share the same sense of awe and wonder about this incredible culture with my young readers.
Through this story, I hope to expand my readers' horizons and nurture a deeper understanding between cultures. I've received tremendous support from my ARC readers, which has been a great source of encouragement. But now, I can't wait to hear your thoughts and read all your reviews, both the glowing ones and the not-so-glowing ones (okay, maybe not the bad ones, but you know what I mean).
Thank you so much for giving my book a chance! Sending you big "nuzzles on the forehead" and heartfelt "Bayr-laa" for your support!
February 27, 2024
I have had the pleasure of reading all three of the books written by Karin Jensen. Karin’s latest book, Chasing Courage, is her best yet! Karin is able to grab the reader’s attention with this first sentence of her book and holds it throughout the entire adventure. Our hero of the story, Nergui, is so real and vibrant, I felt like I knew him. The reader is able to hear Nergui’s thoughts, understand his feelings, and so many of us can relate to the family dynamics that we all experience, across all cultures. Then, the building of the crisis, the adventure, and the desire to know if Negui will succeed in his race against time. Karin also does an amazing job teaching about the land, culture, and traditions of Mongolia in a way that is not only relatable, but stays with you thought the end of the book, leaving you with the feeling one has been there, or could travel to Mongolia and already be prepared with understanding of traditions, foods, language, and the environment there. I would highly recommend this book to kids of all ages!
July 19, 2024
Gripping Sweet Story
In Mongolia now and realize how much Mongolian culture I learned from this book! Wonderful story and vivid pictures in my mind about family life, tradition, and sense of place that the Mongolians in the steppe embrace. Thank you!
In Mongolia now and realize how much Mongolian culture I learned from this book! Wonderful story and vivid pictures in my mind about family life, tradition, and sense of place that the Mongolians in the steppe embrace. Thank you!
January 10, 2024
What a great way to introduce young readers to a new culture, people, and set of traditions! Though set in a place very different from my own, the book has vivid, immersive descriptions that make you feel as though you're actually there. It is a heartwarming story that explores universal themes like family, duty, and the struggles of growing up, and will ring true for any preteen. Beautifully written to boot.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews