Reviews

Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt

anokes_harvey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Adorable middle grade read set in West Texas. The story opens as the main character, a camel named Zada, wakes up to an incoming haboob. She rescues two baby kestrels and attempts to outrun the storm. The book is all about their struggles through the storm and the stories she tells the babies to distract them, stories about her life before coming to West Texas. 
I absolutely loved the author’s writing style. It made for an excellent read aloud for my 2nd grader.  

owls_cats_books's review

adventurous emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Zada is such a beautiful character. I loved this heartwarming story about friendship. Wish there was more. 

wintermote's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A sweet animal story that illuminates a fascinating and little-know piece of history. 

mlbaran's review

slow-paced

2.0

shirleytupperfreeman's review

What a delightful story within a story. Zada is a camel who just happens to be 'auntie' to two American kestrel chicks. As a dust storm (haboob) descends, Zada becomes responsible for the chicks. As they face potential danger and general dishevelment, Zada distracts the chicks with stories from her life. Full of puns, reader "asides", fun vocabulary and just the right amount of danger for young readers, this would make a fabulous read-aloud!

eshook's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.0

annaleigh_curtis's review

adventurous challenging inspiring medium-paced

5.0

kelleemoye's review

4.0

In all of Kathi Appelt’s books, what I have found that I adore the most is her ability to craft voice. She is brilliant. In this book, Zada the camel’s voice rings throughout with patience and determination. I was calmed by her stories of her upbringing as she works to keep the baby kestrels’ minds off of their parents. I think part of Appelt’s magic to craft voice is through her very specific word choice in all instances. Her descriptive words are so precise, and she is never deterred to use a word that may be challenging if it is the correct word. This leads to such lyrical prose–it is a pleasure to read!

There is also so much to learn throughout this story about stories: weather events (haboobs), animals of West Texas (kesterels, mountain lions, hawks, and more), and the history of camels. I found myself going on research tangents as I was introduced to different animals or different adventures that Zada goes on. It is no wonder that the Reading Group Guide is so extensive–there is so much to delve into!

Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=23409

thenextgenlibrarian's review

5.0

A camel and two baby birds fight against the weather, predators and time in this middle grade book.

victorialynch's review

4.0

Liked the audiobook better - charming intersection between a trip I just took (rode a camel) and a trip for next year to west Texas.