Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt - ESSENTIAL

 Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt, 322 pages. Atheneum, 2021. $18

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

While Zada, a very old camel, makes it through a storm to a big mountain lion's cave, she thinks back over her life. She was born in Smyrna, Turkey, well cared for by her keeper, Teodor. While Zada was still young, she was given as a gift, along with all her friends, to the U.S. Army. She was transported in a boat across the Atlantic till they reached Texas. There they met many other camels. They helped the army transporting goods from Texas to California and back. Many years went by and Zada was happy. One day Zada and her best friend were set free. They stayed together and wandered by themselves. What will happen to the two camels? The story goes back and forth between West Texas and Smyrna. I learned a lot from this book. I had no idea that the army actually used camels in Texas. It was called the "Great Camel Experiment." There are still rumors that there are wild camels in Texas. This was a most amazing book. I loved it and I recommend it to everyone I talk to. The book is a great read aloud for a class. There are so many things to talk about and discuss. One of my favorite reads this year.

 Ellen-Anita, LMS