Winter break is approaching and young minds are wandering.  It’s a great time to keep students engaged with a read aloud book.  If you’re looking for a good storybook to share with your students (yes, even those in middle school and beyond), check out Muktar and the Camel.   The story is rich with discussion starters and filled with beautiful illustrations. 

Set in a Somalia, this is the story of a young orphan boy who longs to return to the lifestyle of his nomadic family.  He spends his time daydreaming about his family and lost life which often gets him into trouble.  He is excited to hear that the librarian is bringing books to the orphanage where he is living.  (By the way, the Kenya National Library Service actually delivers books to remote parts of the country via camel caravan.)  But he is even more intrigued when the caravan of books arrives and he notices that one of the camels seems to be injured.  Muktar remembers the wise words of his father who often said, “Camels first.  Always camels first.  Camels are treasure.”  Muktar uses what his father taught him and cares for the injured animal.  Caring for the camel provides Muktar with a sense of accomplishment and a closeness to his deceased father His skill in doing so helps those around him see Muktar in a different light. 

The book provides opportunities for discussion about the challenges faced in other parts of the world, the lessons learned from those in our lives and the importance of family and tradition….all wonderful topics for this time of the year.

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