Kathleen Karr (1946–2017)

This book tells the tale of a woman who is fighting for women's right, and even has her daughter Susan by her side! They are fighting for the right to vote and Mama pays the price. She spends 6 months in jail, while Susan continues the great fight. Eventually women are given the right to vote and celebrations entail. I enjoyed this book because it shows how hard women had to fight and why that fight is so important. This book can teach children to appreciate the freedom we have today and show more understand how we got here. I also loved the illustrations in this book, as they accurately depict how women would have dressed and protested. They also show how men viewed this fight. For example, Papa feels as if women need to remember what is important and that is to be an ornament to men and do as he says. I think this is a message that all people, though especially young women, need to hear because they need to see how women were once viewed. This can teach children to be strong, and stand up for what they believe in. This book is great for readers of all ages! show less

A story of change set in the time when America is first expanding, Exiled is an amusing history of the United States not often told. Based in a time when camels were taken from Africa and brought to help the military explore the deserts of our own country, this is a work of historical fiction that should not be missed. Readers of all ages will experience first hand, through the eyes of Ali the camel, what it is like to be taken from all that you know, to be forced to work for people who do show more not understand you, but to also manage to find joys in the new life ahead of you while remembering the life that was left behind.

Hope prevails through the struggles surrounding this book and even the most contrary of people have a mirror to themselves, someone who is willing to help those who are struggling or misunderstood rather than ignore or force them into slavery. In fact, one of the camels was so loved that his bones are on display at the Smithsonian.

The story is not only told from the camel's perspective, but also blends in a very Muslim perspective in to the actions and motivations of the main characters. Ali has come from Egypt, he was raised in a very different culture from what he is sent into, but his perspective doesn't change. His heart remains with his country, his past, and his culture, making a very unique blend of character and story that makes the adventure all the more real.

Witty and touching, this is a book to be read in chunks to young children, to be given to older children to explore on their own, or to be shared with adults of any age. A quick but touching read, Exiled is a book that you will not want to put down, and this review, no matter how well written, could simply not do it justice. show less

Teenaged jester Conrad the Good escapes from his brutal lord Otto "the Witless," taking kitchen maid Christa (known for good reasons as "Christof" while on the road) with him. They are hindered in their plan to make their own way in the world as a married free couple by the legal status of jesters in 14th century Germany - essentially they have no rights whatsoever. This is as witty and moving an adventure as one could wish - Karr's trademark sense of humor is much in evidence, and she show more clearly identifies with her brave and resourceful jester. show less

Exiled is based on a true story about the Camels who were brought to the United States in 1856 from Egypt, as part of the U.S. Camel Corps. They were used to help the army traverse the inhospitable Texan desert and create a new route to California. This cute story is told by a Camel named Ali, and his point of view makes this story come alive; in fact I’m still smiling as I write this because the author’s insights into camel behavior is entertaining and funny. Ali’s interaction with show more the other camels, and the humans that tried to work with them, made me feel like I was there journeying with them. Ali also has a love interest named Fatinah, who is very sweet and his interactions with her makes this a good coming of age story for pre teens to read. There are some life lessons woven throughout the story like self control and getting along with others: and Ali gets his moral direction from the time he spent with his mother, and from what he knows about Allah and the Qur’an. Exiled is a children’s book that anyone can read and enjoy. I loved reading it; and I learned something new about America’s history in the process. 5 stars. show less