Muktar and the Camels

by Janet Graber, Scott Mack (Illustrator)

Muktar lives in an orphanage on the border of Kenya and Somalia. He daydreams about his old life with his family and especially tending to camels. One day, visitors arrive bearing books, and Muktar's friend Ismail is excited; so is Muktar, but for a different reason—the visitors are riding on camels. Muktar quickly discovers that one of the animals is injured and realizes this is his chance to prove himself. If there is anythingMuktar knows, it is camels. Through the eyes of an endearing protagonist whose love and respect for animals shines, this beautifully told story introduces young readers to another part of the world and way of life.

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Cultural, Kenya, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2009

About the author

Janet Graber is an author who has received a McKnight Award given by the Minnesota Literary Loft. She lives in Minnesota.

Reviews

[Emily]

Muktar and the Camels

Author: Janet Graber
Illustrator: Scott Mack
Genre: Fiction Children’s Literature
Guided Reading Level: 3.3

Muktar is an 11-year-old refugee from Somalia, who is living in an orphanage between Kenya and Somalia. Muktar dreams of a time before his parents passed away, and a drought caused him to leave the place he called home. His parents taught him the benefits of camels, how their milk could be used to make cheese, hair woven to make clothing, and dung to fuel a campfire. Muktar longed to have a chance to tend to camels again one day, until a librarian arrives at his orphanage with camels delivering books. One of the camels is injured and Muktar is given the responsibility to care for the camel.
Both stories, Muktar and the Camels, and Escape from Aleppo, are about children refugees who are separated from their parents. Muktar’s parents have passed away, and he is now living in an orphanage. Nadia is searching for her parent’s as she is still trying to escape the war in her homeland. Both characters are strong willed dreamers, as they are determined to create a better future, but always dreaming about their past. They have experienced similar circumstances as the both had to flee their home during time of war; Muktar’s home was also experiencing a significant drought. Nadia lived in southern Asia, just north of where Muktar lived in Africa. Both characters are very inspiring, as they never gave up despite their hardships.

[April]

Great for a multicultural read with kids and discussion afterwards.

[Rose Rosetree]

So many picture books about adorable mice. And dogs. And ducks.

Well, where are the camels?

Thank goodness for this book about Muktar, an orphan from Somalia. In many ways he's disadvantaged... but not when it comes to knowing about camels.

Sophistication shapes the narrative by Janet Graber. She smoothly guides readers from the present to the past and then to the very active present; later, back and forth again. I respect that writing skill. Actually, as an author-reader, I practically swoon at encountering such skill at writing anything this complex in a picture book. And it works!!!

What a happy, happy ending, too: Muktar earned it, as you'll read. But the beauty part is that this time, finally, this dear boy does get something good, something worthy of him.

Incidentally, I shelved this book under SPIRITUALITY because of what Muktar did, which you'll discover from reading this beautiful fiction by Janet Graber, compellingly illustrated by Scott Mack.

What did Muktar accomplish? It's something that I consider spiritually beautiful. How lovely to encounter this in a picture book, and encounter it through "Show, don't tell."

[Makena Janssen]

Muktar lives in a very poor orphanage on the border of Somalia and Kenya, where he dreams about his old life roaming the desert with his family and longs to work with camels once again. One day a man comes a with books for the children, carried by camels. Seeing that one of the camels is injured, Muktar heals the wound and after proving himself, is asked to care for the camels and become the man's assistant. The book includes the occasional interjection of Kenyan vocabulary and references specific traditional foods. The illustrations are helpful in providing children (here in America) a visual for the life of a child across the world. The book serves as a much-needed window into the life of a young boy who lives very differently from children in the United states. I really enjoyed this book and think that it would be great for children to read and learn about children unlike themselves.

[Angelica]

Muktar lives in an orphanage and dreams about his old life with his family. One day a visitor arrives with books and camels. Muktar being a very smart boy discovers that one of the camels is injured. He wants to prove himself and show his love for this animal.

Great for K-3rd grade
Great for kids who are curious about animals

[Karen Arendt]

Beautiful illustrations, wonderful story, great for a peek at life in Kenya and Somalia. Muktar lives in an orphanage after his parents die. All he wishes for is to take care of camels like he did with his family while his parents were alive.

[LeAnne]

A Somali orphan in a Kenyan orphanage dreams of the nomadic life with camels he has lost until the "Bookmobile" arrives on the backs of three camels. Beautiful pictures and satisfying ending even though Muktar himself is not a book lover.

[Sarah]

I liked this story of a boy who misses his life with the camels. Even though he lives in an orphanage and is sad about all his family having died, he misses his life as a nomad working with camels.

[Marissa Elera]

Richly told story.

[Emily]

Libraries around the world/times

[Melissa Morgal]

Great book for older elementary students. This story shares the life of a young boy in Somalia who is an orphan due to the civil war but loves camels- tending to them is in his blood. I would use this story as a mentor text for many things. This book does a good job at using descriptive words.
I don't really like the images as they are very blurry and shaded.