Children of Exile

This new series by Margaret Peterson Haddix begins with children getting on a plane to leave the people that have raised them (the "Freds") and return to their natural parents. At age 12, Rosi is the oldest child to be returned, and she is wondering why they now have to leave their beloved and peaceful Fredtown behind to go to a land of hardships and heartache that none of the children remember.

The Freds are not allowed to escort the children back, and the plane ride is a frightening glimpse into the children's new world of danger and disappointment. When Rosi and Bobo finally meet their parents, Rosi, in particular, is not exactly made to feel welcome. And what's up with the Dad's blindness and missing arm? Rosi decides to meet with another 12-year old boy, Edwe, who has suspicions of his own. Rosi then begins to realize that she and Bobo are in very real danger, and need to get away. Near the end of the book, Rosi learns more about the mysterious Freds, and the reasons they were taken away and returned.

Middle-grade fans of this author will read this book in no time. The story is an exciting one, full of surprises and twists. I felt the story got pretty far-fetched by the end, and I never really found myself rooting for Rosie. Also, the book does not have a tidy ending, and even though I know it's the start of a new series, I still think it's fair for the reader to expect a little more closure. Younger readers will be Googling the publication date of the next entry in the series.