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(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
E. B. Lewis.
Mbi, an orphan who is mistreated by everyone, plants a magic tree that responds only to his wishes. When a boy climbs up to steal the fruit, Mbi asks the tree to grow, sending the thief high into the sky; to get him back, the chastened villagers promise to reform. Echewa tells his tale with feeling, and Lewis's watercolors offer some sensitive portraits of Mbi.