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Alexandria of Africa #2
Beverly Hills Maasai
In his sequel to Alexandria of Africa , Eric Walters brings exciting new characters to life, with the urban jungle of Los Angeles as their backdrop.
It's the ultimate clash of cultures when Nebala, a Maasai warrior, leaves behind Kenya and, with two fellow Maasai, and crosses the world to compete in a marathon in the most famous zip code in the Beverly Hills, California. Reunited with their friend Alexandria, now their guide to strange, new surroundings, the trio are confronted with life in fast-paced, extravagant Beverly Hills, and customs and attitudes the Maasai find by turns baffling and amusing. Beverly Hill Maasai is another heartwarming, fast-paced, and thought-provoking novel from one of Canada's most popular young adult writers.
It's the ultimate clash of cultures when Nebala, a Maasai warrior, leaves behind Kenya and, with two fellow Maasai, and crosses the world to compete in a marathon in the most famous zip code in the Beverly Hills, California. Reunited with their friend Alexandria, now their guide to strange, new surroundings, the trio are confronted with life in fast-paced, extravagant Beverly Hills, and customs and attitudes the Maasai find by turns baffling and amusing. Beverly Hill Maasai is another heartwarming, fast-paced, and thought-provoking novel from one of Canada's most popular young adult writers.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2010
11 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
157 books909 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 13, 2011
Youth fiction - silly story about a rich valley girl type who has Maasai marathoners come stay with her. Not his best, but younger fry might like to learn about the Maasai...not the best message about how rich people can boss their way out of trouble though
October 1, 2018
This is a wonderful story that shows you never to give up. It also teaches you about another culture and how proud they are and just what they can do.
I am very pleased with this sequel as I find it very strong. It is a well thought out book with characters I really did like.
I am very pleased with this sequel as I find it very strong. It is a well thought out book with characters I really did like.
January 20, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
November 8, 2018
This was a nice easy read ( If you read the first book ). It didn't blow me away but I liked the simplicity of it. The book shows you some of Alexandria's progression as a person after her trip to Africa so you need to read the first book, Alexandria of Africa for this book to really make sense.
April 28, 2011
This is the sequel to Alexandria of Affrica. And a Maasai warrior has come to her house to live with her. (this may sound wierd, it makes sence if you read the first book.)
I enjoyed this read, as it explained, in a simple way, the life of a maasia warrior. It seems that that is the main point of the book, the time period leading up to the race. I expected the Maasai to win!
I enjoyed this read, as it explained, in a simple way, the life of a maasia warrior. It seems that that is the main point of the book, the time period leading up to the race. I expected the Maasai to win!
November 2, 2010
it was really good :)
very inspirational
i think eric walters is awesome ;D
he is a really good writer.
and i just loved at the end when samuel runs ahead and he almost wins then breaks his ankle, sorry for ruining it if you were gonna read it but it's really good writing ;P
very inspirational
i think eric walters is awesome ;D
he is a really good writer.
and i just loved at the end when samuel runs ahead and he almost wins then breaks his ankle, sorry for ruining it if you were gonna read it but it's really good writing ;P
October 17, 2010
its really good and its fun to read
November 22, 2010
Like Alexandria of Africa this book all lead up with a quick 10 page ending. Could be a better book if Eric Walters would put more effort into a full story development.
October 18, 2012
REALLY good! it was an amazing sequel to Alexandria of Africa, and didn't disappoint me!
January 18, 2013
Not a really good book really bratty tale :(
May 15, 2015
The second in the series. Love this jr. fiction.
July 7, 2015
Good but not quite like the first! Less dramatic meaning for young people! Great writer and really has a thought out plot!
April 4, 2022
Alexandria is still a spoiled, rich girl but since her stint in Africa she has had an attitude adjustment. One day she was shocked to receive a phone call from one of her Masasai friends. Nebala and two of his buddies were in the LA Airport. They came to run in a marathon to raise money for wells for their community. What follows is a clash of cultures and lessons learned of friendship and endurance.
June 17, 2021
I read this book as. Read aloud to my grade 4/5 class. They absolutely loved it! We read #1 first “Alexandria in Africa” and they were so excited to read the next book! They wanted a #3 in the series! Well Eric Walter’s? Any thoughts of a next one?
January 17, 2021
This sequel to Alexandria of Africa is an amazing book. I recommend trying Eric Walters.
July 29, 2022
too much info about that girl's rich lifestyle it was so stressful 😭
December 1, 2022
This book is much better than the first one in the series. Alexandria is much more likeable in this novel. The plot is better and has a more thought out story line.
June 30, 2023
My entire personality is based around this series
September 16, 2015
This is the story of Kenyan runners who lived with an American family while waiting to run the marathon. This was a good book, it could have gone faster but I liked the ending.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews