Camel Bells

by Janne Carlsson

After his father’s death, the 12-year-old Hajdar finds himself the head of his family. In his new role he must make many adult decisions, and when the Russians invade his homeland of Afghanistan, he is faced with the toughest decision of all – whether to run away from his own country.

Genres: Young Adult

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK, but not as good as I hoped. It's a slice of life of a rural Afghani boy in 1978 when the Russians invaded/put in a puppet president. He goes to the big city in Kabul and there is set-up for an interesting plot, but it kind of fizzles in vagueness. They see planes fighting and mention a few rumors of what is happening, and then their village is bombed. It's probably realistic that most villagers were confused and under-informed about the politics among the elites, but it made for a frustrating plot as a reader. I don't think most teens will have even the background to infer what is going on in the second half when the main kid revisits Kabul and whizzes around seeing certain characters that are now corrupt and others who are dead. I think they will leave confused and less appreciative of the cultural elements because of that.

And the book could use a better title. The boy thinks about nomads and their bells near the beginning, and then they throw it in again in the last chapter to frame the story, but it seems forced.

[Chelsey Talla · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is a really good book for people who live close to India or Pakistan. you can learn things you never knew that happens close to India. this is almost a book of history! it is a good book read it!