Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel

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 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 show more 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

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 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 show more 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

Historical fiction from the perspective of a sentient camel. I do believe camels are smarter than many folks give them credit for being, and so I do not find the premise of the book so bizarre as some reviewers do.

There's not a lot of 'soul-searching' here - it's a fairly straight adventure with a light sprinkling of humor. But Ali was born wild, and does have to learn to live by his mother's advice, to fell the difference between yield and submit. And another wise female advises him: Do not resign. Accept. It is better, and it gives one a future." I wouldn't have minded a bit more of that kind of stuff.

But mostly kids will learn about the American West between the '49 gold rush and the Civil War. and about people's different reactions show more to the frontier. And about camels. There is an author's note - Karr did her research." show less

This reads like a classic tale; the writing is clear and sophisticated. Although short, recommended for strong readers for challenging word choices.
Ali is a camel born wild in Egypt, later captured and sold to a general who wants to make a camel cavalry for the United States army. Along the journey, he makes friends, enemies, and starts a family. Even though it is the memoirs of a camel, it reads realistically.
Fascinating author note details the research effort behind Exiled; there actually was a camel cavalry project in the United States, eventually abandoned because of the civil war. All of the human characters were based on actual people, and many events were based on recorded experiences.