The Tyrant's Daughter

by J.C. Carleson

Summary:
When the news talks about dictators on the other side of the world, it's easy to forget that they and their families are real people. It's hard to feel sympathy for them when their regimes fall, because we've heard the stories about how many people have died because of them. But what if you were the daughter of a dictator? Sheltered from the outside world, unaware of what was happening in  your own country. And then you had to flee to America after a hostile takeover. And are now thrust into a world completely different than your own. Startlingly realistic, the Tyrant's daughter is difficult to separate from real life happenings.

Review:
This is a completely fascinating look at not only the consequences of a dictatorship, but also at the intricacies of modern political power-mongering. The many layers of intrigue played by the CIA, the royal family, and current despot in Laila's home country are scarily realistic in their nature. Laila herself is a teenager struggling to adjust to life in a country so completely opposite from her own. She is a strong girl who takes on the challenge by observing and imitating those she sees. In the book we see her grow from a girl who was completely sheltered to one who faces the difficult decisions and acts. It's a great modern read to give to any teen with an interest in the world. It probably has more interest for older teens because of it's many references to today's political landscape.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade