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littlehouse88's review
4.0
Haddix has done it again. Another page turner that I just couldn't put down! Rosi had so many mysteries going on in her life: Why did her parents want her now? Why didn't they want her before? How did they get hurt? And why did her mother lie about her green eyes?
The ending was a bit cliche, but I still can't wait to read the rest of the series.
The ending was a bit cliche, but I still can't wait to read the rest of the series.
bethanygracious's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Disclaimer: I am a middle-aged woman, not a middle schooler.
In general, I think Haddix is a brilliant kids’ author. She takes real issues of the day and then puts them in new contexts to make them understandable and kid-friendly.
This book hits on big themes of:
1. The role “developed” nations have in “developing” nations and how they view each other
2. The usefulness of the UN
3. Crime management
4. NGO interventions
5. Dishonest and exploitative adoptions
6. Racism
The book’s pacing felt a little slow at times, but I never wanted to put it down. And while I get the frustration at the big twist (and felt that frustration myself), I really don’t think it would have bothered me as a kid because I wouldn’t have experienced it as much. Plus, we have to remember that this is the first book in a series, which means she’s not using it as a solution to everything. We’re relatively early in the story, and that twist has already been revealed.
If we don’t get more explanation on the war and whatnot in the next book, that will be disappointing, but I think it’s a fine start.
In general, I think Haddix is a brilliant kids’ author. She takes real issues of the day and then puts them in new contexts to make them understandable and kid-friendly.
This book hits on big themes of:
1. The role “developed” nations have in “developing” nations and how they view each other
2. The usefulness of the UN
3. Crime management
4. NGO interventions
5. Dishonest and exploitative adoptions
6. Racism
The book’s pacing felt a little slow at times, but I never wanted to put it down. And while I get the frustration at the big twist (and felt that frustration myself), I really don’t think it would have bothered me as a kid because I wouldn’t have experienced it as much. Plus, we have to remember that this is the first book in a series, which means she’s not using it as a solution to everything. We’re relatively early in the story, and that twist has already been revealed.
If we don’t get more explanation on the war and whatnot in the next book, that will be disappointing, but I think it’s a fine start.
amandamc2315's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s difficult to say much without mentioning spoilers, but I loved the dystopian style and overall critique of humanity. I believe the “founding principles of Fredtown” are important qualities for people to strive for and believe in. I found this a wonderfully engaging and captivating read.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
Full review including teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=14911
One thing you can always guarantee when you read a Haddix book is that it will suck you in and will be super unique! Children of Exile did not disappoint. I will admit, it is really hard to review without spoiling. The summary did a really great job, but everything that happens after that suspense-building summary happens would spoil something for you. But I will promise you these things:
*You will be on the edge of your seat and not be able to figure out what is going on for 90% of the first book.
*You will be disgusted by the treatment of the children once they are returned to their parents.
*You will want to help Edwy and his friends so badly throughout.
*You will have to stop reading when the reveal happens in the first book just to process it. Then you’ll reread. Then you’ll text someone who has read it.
*You will want to know more than book 2 tells you, so we’ll all be waiting impatiently for #3.
*You will realize that these books are actually a bit older and darker than they first seem.
One thing you can always guarantee when you read a Haddix book is that it will suck you in and will be super unique! Children of Exile did not disappoint. I will admit, it is really hard to review without spoiling. The summary did a really great job, but everything that happens after that suspense-building summary happens would spoil something for you. But I will promise you these things:
*You will be on the edge of your seat and not be able to figure out what is going on for 90% of the first book.
*You will be disgusted by the treatment of the children once they are returned to their parents.
*You will want to help Edwy and his friends so badly throughout.
*You will have to stop reading when the reveal happens in the first book just to process it. Then you’ll reread. Then you’ll text someone who has read it.
*You will want to know more than book 2 tells you, so we’ll all be waiting impatiently for #3.
*You will realize that these books are actually a bit older and darker than they first seem.
13iscute's review against another edition
3.0
For the past 12 years, the children of Fredtown have been raised by the Freds, who are not their real parents. It is too dangerous to the children to be raised by their real parents. The Freds raise the children to be model human beings, being thoughtful and caring to others. An agreement is reached, and the time comes for all the children to be returned to their real parents.
Rosi & Edwy are the oldest, and Rosi has a younger brother Bobo, age 5. Rosi takes the lead in making sure the children are cared for on their plane ride back to their hometown. Edwy has been rebellious for about a year and resists the rules and behaviors the Freds have taught them. But when the plane lanes, chaos breaks out as the parents storm the plane in a mob and snatch their children. Rosi & Bobo go with their mother to a ramshackle home and meet their father, who is missing an arm and is blind.
Over a couple of days in the new town, Rosi is scared by how mean the adults seem but does her best to protect her little brother. With Edwy's help, she comes to learn and notice some things. There was a war 12 years ago. People with brown eyes vs. green eyes seem to despise each other.
After Rosi & Edwy almost get caught by some shady characters after sneaking out late at night, Rosi can't find Edwy the next day, and the maid tells him Edwy's been kidnapped. Rosi is outraged that the adults don't seem to care, so she climbs on a table in the market that Edwy is missing and people need to look at them. This incites a mob and Rosi is beat up and she ends up in prison. The missionary from church comes to talk to Rosi that part of the agreement to return the children to their parents was that if anyone ever incited violence, they would be imprisoned for the rest of their lives. They never thought this agreement would affect children, but the Enforcers think Rosi is responsible and she has no recourse. But the missionary tosses her a key and helps her to escape. Rosi runs back home to rescue Bobo, and her real parents, who never seemed to care much for her, are so relieved. They help Rosi escape with Bobo and the neighbor girl Cana, but not before an Enforcer busts down their front door. They kill the Enforcer, but in the process it is revealed that the Enforcer is actually an... ALIEN!
It turns out the Freds are aliens too, but a different alien race. The Freds and the Enforcers are both considered mature, because they have "peaceful" societies, but humans are considered immature. The Freds think they can help the humans by training up the human children right, so for the past 12 years they have been taking all human children from earth to train them up to be peaceful citizens, and hopefully raise humans to maturity. But the Enforcers think the only way to handle humans is with force. The humans got their act together enough to get a provisional spot on the intergalactic council, and because of this, it was voted that the children could go home to Earth.
Story ends with Rosi, Cana, and Bobo declining the offer from their Fred-teacher (as a hologram) to bring them back to Fredtown. They decide to stick around because they have been taught to help others, and they have to help their friend Edwy.
The story is fine, but it definitely felt misleading. For most of the story, it feels like your typical dystopia... isolated society in bad condition where it's a struggle just to survive. Then their is this benign good society who everyone distrusts but why? It's similar to the Giver series with a bunch of different kinds of societies in one world... except that BOOM it's aliens. Instead of different societies of humans, all humans are bad (to varying degrees) and the aliens are trying to save them.
Rosi & Edwy are the oldest, and Rosi has a younger brother Bobo, age 5. Rosi takes the lead in making sure the children are cared for on their plane ride back to their hometown. Edwy has been rebellious for about a year and resists the rules and behaviors the Freds have taught them. But when the plane lanes, chaos breaks out as the parents storm the plane in a mob and snatch their children. Rosi & Bobo go with their mother to a ramshackle home and meet their father, who is missing an arm and is blind.
Over a couple of days in the new town, Rosi is scared by how mean the adults seem but does her best to protect her little brother. With Edwy's help, she comes to learn and notice some things. There was a war 12 years ago. People with brown eyes vs. green eyes seem to despise each other.
After Rosi & Edwy almost get caught by some shady characters after sneaking out late at night, Rosi can't find Edwy the next day, and the maid tells him Edwy's been kidnapped. Rosi is outraged that the adults don't seem to care, so she climbs on a table in the market that Edwy is missing and people need to look at them. This incites a mob and Rosi is beat up and she ends up in prison. The missionary from church comes to talk to Rosi that part of the agreement to return the children to their parents was that if anyone ever incited violence, they would be imprisoned for the rest of their lives. They never thought this agreement would affect children, but the Enforcers think Rosi is responsible and she has no recourse. But the missionary tosses her a key and helps her to escape. Rosi runs back home to rescue Bobo, and her real parents, who never seemed to care much for her, are so relieved. They help Rosi escape with Bobo and the neighbor girl Cana, but not before an Enforcer busts down their front door. They kill the Enforcer, but in the process it is revealed that the Enforcer is actually an... ALIEN!
It turns out the Freds are aliens too, but a different alien race. The Freds and the Enforcers are both considered mature, because they have "peaceful" societies, but humans are considered immature. The Freds think they can help the humans by training up the human children right, so for the past 12 years they have been taking all human children from earth to train them up to be peaceful citizens, and hopefully raise humans to maturity. But the Enforcers think the only way to handle humans is with force. The humans got their act together enough to get a provisional spot on the intergalactic council, and because of this, it was voted that the children could go home to Earth.
Story ends with Rosi, Cana, and Bobo declining the offer from their Fred-teacher (as a hologram) to bring them back to Fredtown. They decide to stick around because they have been taught to help others, and they have to help their friend Edwy.
The story is fine, but it definitely felt misleading. For most of the story, it feels like your typical dystopia... isolated society in bad condition where it's a struggle just to survive. Then their is this benign good society who everyone distrusts but why? It's similar to the Giver series with a bunch of different kinds of societies in one world... except that BOOM it's aliens. Instead of different societies of humans, all humans are bad (to varying degrees) and the aliens are trying to save them.
ninareads65's review against another edition
3.0
Not one of my favorites by this author. Too similar to several of her other books.
greergreer's review against another edition
3.0
I love Haddix book but this one disappointed me and I can't exactly say why.
I wanted more info about the Fred's and the place they lived in the beginning of the book
maybe more intense feeling about the place because we switch things up so fast in this book and it feels like at the end everything is crammed in there to explain what's going on. Yes it is the first book in a series but the suspense like other Haddix book's just was not there.
I wanted more info about the Fred's and the place they lived in the beginning of the book
maybe more intense feeling about the place because we switch things up so fast in this book and it feels like at the end everything is crammed in there to explain what's going on. Yes it is the first book in a series but the suspense like other Haddix book's just was not there.
tinagupta's review
1.0
Read this because my middle school going boy picked it up. He might enjoy it. Definitely not for me!! 🤪
cahillc3's review
5.0
This is the story of Rosi and her little brother Bobo. They have always lived in Fredtown with their Fred-Mama and Fred-Daddy. Now, they are heading home with little notice to their real parents. Except home is nothing like the Fredtown they are used to.
Wow!! This book is packed full of suspense. Each chapter had me dying to jump into the next one to see what happens. MG readers will love the fast- pace along with the twists and turns this book takes. I can't wait to get this book into the hands of my readers- and I can't wait to get my hands on Book #2. Another winner by Haddix.
Wow!! This book is packed full of suspense. Each chapter had me dying to jump into the next one to see what happens. MG readers will love the fast- pace along with the twists and turns this book takes. I can't wait to get this book into the hands of my readers- and I can't wait to get my hands on Book #2. Another winner by Haddix.