Release Date: February 2014Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Protagonist: Laila
The Story: As the daughter of a Middle Eastern King, Laila has lived a life of luxury. When violence erupts in her country and her father is killed, she and the surviving members of her immediate family are whisked away to the United States and immersed in an American lifestyle. Upon arriving in the U.S., Laila realizes that nothing is as it seems - the media has labeled her deceased father a dictator, her mother is working closely with a covert organization and carefully guards her secrets, and life in the U.S. is so profoundly different from her homeland that Laila struggles to acclimate. Even something as simple as education and friendships are distinctly different, and Laila feels desperately alone.
Reaction: I loved, loved, loved this beautifully written book. Laila's observations of American people are equally fascinating and thought-provoking, and her understanding of the politics of her homeland made me wonder if there are many people in similar situations who just don't know nearly as much about how things works as they think they do. I think most people have felt like an outsider at some point, which is how many readers will related to Laila, but I also believe that readers will end up reflecting upon their own beliefs and behaviors as a result of reading The Tyrant's Daughter; this is a book that sticks with you, so be prepared to be thinking about the novel long after you have put the book away.
If You Liked... Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind, then The Tyrant's Daughter will be a good addition to your TBR stack.
Rating: 5
Teacher Notes: The Tyrant's Daughter would be a great book to use help teach point of view; it also highlights a culture that is not highly represented in good YA literature.
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