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Children of Exile #3
Children of Jubilee
Kiandra has to use her wits and tech-savvy ways to help rescue Edwy, Enu, and the others from the clutches of the Enforcers in the thrilling final novel of the Children of Exile series from New York Times bestselling author, Margaret Peterson Haddix.
Since the Enforcers raided Refuge City, Rosi, Edwy, and the others are captured and forced to work as slave labor on an alien planet, digging up strange pearls. Weak and hungry, none of them are certain they will make it out of this alive.
But Edwy’s tech-savvy sister, Kiandra, has always been the one with all the answers, and so they turn to her. But Kiandra realizes that she can’t find her way out of this one on her own, and they all might need to rely on young Cana and her alien friend if they are going to survive.
Since the Enforcers raided Refuge City, Rosi, Edwy, and the others are captured and forced to work as slave labor on an alien planet, digging up strange pearls. Weak and hungry, none of them are certain they will make it out of this alive.
But Edwy’s tech-savvy sister, Kiandra, has always been the one with all the answers, and so they turn to her. But Kiandra realizes that she can’t find her way out of this one on her own, and they all might need to rely on young Cana and her alien friend if they are going to survive.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
38 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Peterson Haddix
129 books6,337 followersMargaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 22, 2018
Children of Jubilee is the final book in the Children of Exile series. If you've read the first two books, great, keep reading! If not, beware, there are spoilers ahead from the first two books. I have loved this series, and though I'm sad to see it end, I love the conclusion. Rosi narrated Children of Exile. and Edwy narrated Children of Refuge. This time Kiandra is telling the story.
At the end of Children of Refuge, the Enforcers had arrived in Refuge City and forced the children (Enu, Kiandra, and Edwy {siblings}, Rosi and Bobo {siblings} and Cana) to go on the run. While they initially get away, Enu, Kiandra, Edwy, and Rosi are captured by the Enforcers. The Enforcers transport them to another planet, Zacadi, where they're forced to mine a precious energy resource.
Children of Jubilee is a very satisfying conclusion to an exciting series that's been filled with great characters, and a wonderful storyline. As with the author's other series, children and adults alike will enjoy the Children of Exile series. The message that the series promotes is one we all need to hear.
At the end of Children of Refuge, the Enforcers had arrived in Refuge City and forced the children (Enu, Kiandra, and Edwy {siblings}, Rosi and Bobo {siblings} and Cana) to go on the run. While they initially get away, Enu, Kiandra, Edwy, and Rosi are captured by the Enforcers. The Enforcers transport them to another planet, Zacadi, where they're forced to mine a precious energy resource.
Children of Jubilee is a very satisfying conclusion to an exciting series that's been filled with great characters, and a wonderful storyline. As with the author's other series, children and adults alike will enjoy the Children of Exile series. The message that the series promotes is one we all need to hear.
November 28, 2018
This was a great wrap up of the series. I'll be sad to not know how the children move on, but I thoroughly enjoyed their final adventure and all of their courage.
April 5, 2019
A strong ending to this series. The master of science fiction middle grade!
November 21, 2023
This was a solid trilogy by an author who seems to specialize in Dystopia Junior. It would be perfect for upper elementary and middle school kids who weren’t quite ready for the Hunger Games. She does a great job of keeping up suspense and action, while still making sure each character is unique and dynamic. No one is a stereotype or purely good or purely evil, which is the whole point of the books as it turns out.
November 2, 2018
Excellent conclusion to the Children of Exile series! Must read in order. Really important messages about how we all get along. Highly recommended for grades 5 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
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August 31, 2025i cannot express how much i love this book 10 out of 10 would recomend
September 16, 2019
I enjoyed this, but there are a few things that came to mind which kept me from loving it as much as I could. I feel like most of my faults could have been fixed had this book focused on the enforcers and we had a fourth and final book which focused on the counsel and tied up many of the loose ends. Let's break this down further.
Kiandra is the point of view character for the entire book. I have mixed feelings about this. For one, this is the only point of view character who hasn't grown up around Fredtown. The second book subtly built her up to be the group's leader so it's fascinating to hear what really goes on in her mind. However, this is still the final book. While I wouldn't want Kiandra to never be the point of view character, I'm bothered that the conflict in this book appears to revolve around someone who wasn't introduced until midway through book 2. Rosi would have been a much better bookend so that we could see how much she changed since the first book. Even Cana or Edwy would have made more sense for the final book, as everything that happened in Fredtown during the first book feels like a footnote by this point in the series.
I'm kind of disappointed the Bible Rosi received in the first book never came back into play either. Rosi is given one of the most influential books in history and the book's only purpose seems to be her throwing it to find a key. I was convinced she would have called back to it in some meaningful way.
There were also a bunch of messages that seemed to be set up during the first and second books that were taught in such a unique and brilliant way. Some are lessons that are important for kids to grasp but are solemnly taught that I worry they may have been too subtle for kids to pick up. They were set up well but seemed to be missing the final nail in the coffin to drive their point home.
- The Freds and the Enforcers represent opposite extremes. Both are flawed and could have learned from each other.
- Parents are flawed, but that doesn't necessarily make their love any less real. Similarly, even if you were to somehow do what the Freds did, where would you draw the line? Each character that was affected on earth was hurt from being separated or left behind.
- Can we discuss how the council seemed to have believable, yet mildly racist ideals towards counsil members that weren't part of their race? Each alien race would appear to all the others in the council as part of the same race to keep bias from affecting them. This is racist, but sadly believable. Similarly, the whole brown eyes/green eyes conflict also shows how nieve racism is.
Kiandra is the point of view character for the entire book. I have mixed feelings about this. For one, this is the only point of view character who hasn't grown up around Fredtown. The second book subtly built her up to be the group's leader so it's fascinating to hear what really goes on in her mind. However, this is still the final book. While I wouldn't want Kiandra to never be the point of view character, I'm bothered that the conflict in this book appears to revolve around someone who wasn't introduced until midway through book 2. Rosi would have been a much better bookend so that we could see how much she changed since the first book. Even Cana or Edwy would have made more sense for the final book, as everything that happened in Fredtown during the first book feels like a footnote by this point in the series.
I'm kind of disappointed the Bible Rosi received in the first book never came back into play either. Rosi is given one of the most influential books in history and the book's only purpose seems to be her throwing it to find a key. I was convinced she would have called back to it in some meaningful way.
There were also a bunch of messages that seemed to be set up during the first and second books that were taught in such a unique and brilliant way. Some are lessons that are important for kids to grasp but are solemnly taught that I worry they may have been too subtle for kids to pick up. They were set up well but seemed to be missing the final nail in the coffin to drive their point home.
- The Freds and the Enforcers represent opposite extremes. Both are flawed and could have learned from each other.
- Parents are flawed, but that doesn't necessarily make their love any less real. Similarly, even if you were to somehow do what the Freds did, where would you draw the line? Each character that was affected on earth was hurt from being separated or left behind.
- Can we discuss how the council seemed to have believable, yet mildly racist ideals towards counsil members that weren't part of their race? Each alien race would appear to all the others in the council as part of the same race to keep bias from affecting them. This is racist, but sadly believable. Similarly, the whole brown eyes/green eyes conflict also shows how nieve racism is.
January 10, 2019
Refuge City is supposed to be just that—a refuge. But suddenly, the safe haven where Kiandra and Enu have lived since they were tiny has been taken over by Enforcers, and Rosa, Edwy, Zeba, Bobo, Cana, Enu, and Kiandra find themselves running for their lives. Not only that, but everyone expects twelve-year-old Kiandra to know what to do. Kiandra’s a tech genius and great at finding answers, but she’s definitely not used to having anyone depending on her. To Kiandra’s dismay, the others expect her to lead them even when the tech is taken out of the equation, and the stakes could not be higher.
Children of Jubilee is a cracking ending to the Children of Exile series which started with Children of Exile and moved on to Children of Refuge. Click the links to read my reviews of the previous books. Every book builds on the story through the eyes of a different main character, and yet the impeccable tension, pacing, and consideration of the human condition make a strong thread through all of the books.
I enjoyed—as will most middle grade readers, I think—the opportunity to learn about the worlds and cultures within the books and ponder the ethical questions that arose. Each main character, first Rosi, then Edwy, and finally Kiandra, is a hero to be revered who also gained my sympathy. The action kept me reading and the ethics kept me pondering. The questions of ethics are universal ones, and ones particularly suited to this series’ audience, I think. Each book could stand alone, but I think they’re especially satisfying read as a series.
I recommend this series as an addition to libraries, classrooms, and as gifts for middle grade readers who like a gripping, high-stakes, sci-fi tale.
I received a copy of Children of Jubilee in exchange for an honest review.
Children of Jubilee is a cracking ending to the Children of Exile series which started with Children of Exile and moved on to Children of Refuge. Click the links to read my reviews of the previous books. Every book builds on the story through the eyes of a different main character, and yet the impeccable tension, pacing, and consideration of the human condition make a strong thread through all of the books.
I enjoyed—as will most middle grade readers, I think—the opportunity to learn about the worlds and cultures within the books and ponder the ethical questions that arose. Each main character, first Rosi, then Edwy, and finally Kiandra, is a hero to be revered who also gained my sympathy. The action kept me reading and the ethics kept me pondering. The questions of ethics are universal ones, and ones particularly suited to this series’ audience, I think. Each book could stand alone, but I think they’re especially satisfying read as a series.
I recommend this series as an addition to libraries, classrooms, and as gifts for middle grade readers who like a gripping, high-stakes, sci-fi tale.
I received a copy of Children of Jubilee in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2020
Refuge City is supposed to be just that—a refuge. But suddenly, the safe haven where Kiandra and Enu have lived since they were tiny has been taken over by Enforcers, and Rosa, Edwy, Zeba, Bobo, Cana, Enu, and Kiandra find themselves running for their lives. Not only that, but everyone expects twelve-year-old Kiandra to know what to do. Kiandra’s a tech genius and great at finding answers, but she’s definitely not used to having anyone depending on her. To Kiandra’s dismay, the others expect her to lead them even when the tech is taken out of the equation, and the stakes could not be higher.
Children of Jubilee is a cracking ending to the Children of Exile series which started with Children of Exile and moved on to Children of Refuge. Click the links to read my reviews of the previous books. Every book builds on the story through the eyes of a different main character, and yet the impeccable tension, pacing, and consideration of the human condition make a strong thread through all of the books.
I enjoyed—as will most middle grade readers, I think—the opportunity to learn about the worlds and cultures within the books and ponder the ethical questions that arose. Each main character, first Rosi, then Edwy, and finally Kiandra, is a hero to be revered who also gained my sympathy. The action kept me reading and the ethics kept me pondering. The questions of ethics are universal ones, and ones particularly suited to this series’ audience, I think. Each book could stand alone, but I think they’re especially satisfying read as a series.
I recommend this series as an addition to libraries, classrooms, and as gifts for middle grade readers who like a gripping, high-stakes, sci-fi tale.
I received a copy of Children of Jubilee from NetGalley.
Children of Jubilee is a cracking ending to the Children of Exile series which started with Children of Exile and moved on to Children of Refuge. Click the links to read my reviews of the previous books. Every book builds on the story through the eyes of a different main character, and yet the impeccable tension, pacing, and consideration of the human condition make a strong thread through all of the books.
I enjoyed—as will most middle grade readers, I think—the opportunity to learn about the worlds and cultures within the books and ponder the ethical questions that arose. Each main character, first Rosi, then Edwy, and finally Kiandra, is a hero to be revered who also gained my sympathy. The action kept me reading and the ethics kept me pondering. The questions of ethics are universal ones, and ones particularly suited to this series’ audience, I think. Each book could stand alone, but I think they’re especially satisfying read as a series.
I recommend this series as an addition to libraries, classrooms, and as gifts for middle grade readers who like a gripping, high-stakes, sci-fi tale.
I received a copy of Children of Jubilee from NetGalley.
January 8, 2019
First sentence: "Run! Hide!" my brother Enu screamed beside me.
Premise/plot: Children of Jubilee is the conclusion to a series first begun in Children of Exile and continued in Children of Refuge. Each book has its own narrator. The first book is told from the point of view of Rosi. The second book is told from the point of view of Edwy. The third book is told from the point of view of Kiandra. It is not a novel that can be read as a stand alone.
Who should read the Children of Exile series?
If you enjoy speculative fiction
If you enjoy action-packed adventure stories with ALIENS
If you enjoy mystery and suspense with your sci-fi
If you enjoy series books
If you have enjoyed other books by Margaret Peterson Haddix
My thoughts: I liked this series. I'm not sure I loved, loved, loved it. (But I'm not in the target audience either.) Part of me is curious--if I'd read all three books back-to-back or within a few weeks of each other, would I have been swept up into the world Haddix created? Would I have found the action so compelling that I couldn't have put it down? As it was it was almost like starting from scratch with this third novel as far as caring about the characters. For the record, I did end up caring about the characters, it just took a while.
There are so many novels I've loved by Margaret Peterson Haddix. A few series of hers that I love to reread because I love them so much. So I'm thinking that if I'd read these three all together that I might feel more of a connection.
Have you read this series? What did you think?
July 7, 2019
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2019:
#20 A book set in
#20 A book set in
October 23, 2019
The kids and teens from Refuge City do their best to avoid the Enforcers, but they don't all avoid notice and some of them find themselves imprisoned on a foreign planet. The Enforcers are forcing them to work all day mining for these small, round things. Somehow they take over control of their bodies, so they can't even do anything about it. It is looking pretty hopeless. How can they escape from aliens who can control their bodies so easily?
This wasn't my favorite book in this series. It is pretty bleak for a while. I mean the kids are slave laborers and just barely kept alive. But eventually something does happen and there is a good resolution to the series. Haddix always does a great job of exploring deep, hard issues in ways that are engaging to kids and not scarring. I have a lot of Haddix fans at my school who will be eager to get their hands on this book. Recommended to dystopia fans, scifi fans, and fans of stories with characters getting out of impossible situations.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. The kids are worked to the bone and given the bare minimum of sustenance. They see some others getting beat up pretty bad (this is more conveyed through tone than description of the event). Perilous situations are faced, but they all make it out ok eventually.
This wasn't my favorite book in this series. It is pretty bleak for a while. I mean the kids are slave laborers and just barely kept alive. But eventually something does happen and there is a good resolution to the series. Haddix always does a great job of exploring deep, hard issues in ways that are engaging to kids and not scarring. I have a lot of Haddix fans at my school who will be eager to get their hands on this book. Recommended to dystopia fans, scifi fans, and fans of stories with characters getting out of impossible situations.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. The kids are worked to the bone and given the bare minimum of sustenance. They see some others getting beat up pretty bad (this is more conveyed through tone than description of the event). Perilous situations are faced, but they all make it out ok eventually.
October 5, 2023
Overall, I thought the series was ok. I like that Haddix introduced complex ideas, like how asking tough questions does not need to be seen as a bad or disrespectful thing. It's part of learning and contributing. I like that she tried to bring in how sully it is to judge people based on physical characteristics or their attitudes; kind of a "walk a mile in my shoes" theme. These kinds of lessons were sprinkled in there, but sometimes fell flat.
I thought the characters were presented with one dimensional characteristics. By the third book, I had a feeling that the story was being "mailed in". My daughter enjoyed the series and I was able to use some of the themes introduced to jump into deeper discussions about the nature of human behavior and how people are treated in our society.
I thought the characters were presented with one dimensional characteristics. By the third book, I had a feeling that the story was being "mailed in". My daughter enjoyed the series and I was able to use some of the themes introduced to jump into deeper discussions about the nature of human behavior and how people are treated in our society.
January 26, 2019
A third POV was totally unexpected here, and, if I'd had to guess who would tell this story, the one the author chose would NOT have been it! Still, though, it ended up being an excellent choice, and I loved this book. Yes, things did wrap up a little tidily at the end, but I'm okay with that. Having things actually work out well for once is refreshing. I'm supremely glad I read this series, and it solidifies my view that this author is one of the best middle-grade authors out there.
Content Advisory: violence, death, slaughter, attempted genocide,
Content Advisory: violence, death, slaughter, attempted genocide,
February 12, 2019
A good YA book, full of adventure. Partway into the book I noticed the main character is afflicted with screaming... "watch out! I screamed" and "what are you doing?" I screamed". Interspersed with thundering and bellowings. I guess it brings more flavor to the book, taking it away from the static "I said", but after a section which featured a scream on every page, it was a bit redundant.
But, the plot was good, plenty of action, using weaknesses for strengths, showing cooperation, no swearing...
I might even read some of her other novels.
But, the plot was good, plenty of action, using weaknesses for strengths, showing cooperation, no swearing...
I might even read some of her other novels.
February 1, 2019
In the previous two stories, readers have been aware that there are aliens and we humans are able to interact with them. However, there has always been a bit of a mystery about the situation. Now, in this Star Wars-style conclusion, it all becomes clear.
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
March 24, 2019
Excellent conclusion to the trilogy. As I said in my brief review of volume 2, I liked the premise of an alien race interfering in Earth's affairs because we (humans) are too warlike. Lots to discuss in this trilogy about peaceful conflict resolution vs violence, and getting along with our intergalactic neighbors. And the aliens are *really* alien, which was cool.
January 22, 2023
A beautiful ending to the series! This third installment uses the perspective of Edwy's sister, Kiandra, who hasn't had an intergalactic experience yet and shows her growth of understanding other beings.
This gripping tale explains how everyone has a role to play in the journey of life, to understand and rebuild. Together, we can make a better world.
This gripping tale explains how everyone has a role to play in the journey of life, to understand and rebuild. Together, we can make a better world.
May 19, 2025
A beautiful ending to the series! This third installment uses the perspective of Edwy's sister, Kiandra, who hasn't had an intergalactic experience yet and shows her growth of understanding other beings.
This gripping tale explains how everyone has a role to play in the journey of life, to understand and rebuild. Together, we can make a better world.
This gripping tale explains how everyone has a role to play in the journey of life, to understand and rebuild. Together, we can make a better world.
February 3, 2020
Rosi, Edwy, Cana, Enu, and Kiandra are captured and taken by the Enforcers to an alien planet to do slave labor. They only find a way out with the help of a fellow captive who is a native of that planet. This is the final book in the Children of Exile series.
September 13, 2021
Seem to be finally finishing a lot of series right now. Margaret Peterson Haddix is an amazing storyteller and has such an interesting way of looking at the world, raising questions and making you think, cheer and cry.
January 25, 2019
Very meh. It's the first book by MPH that didn't have me absolutely hooked.
March 3, 2019
Great book!
April 25, 2019
And the conclusion...
Go read and enjoy this series. Seems a simple story on the surface but takes your mind on quite a journey.
Go read and enjoy this series. Seems a simple story on the surface but takes your mind on quite a journey.
June 9, 2019
meh. Too preachy.
June 26, 2019
I was not dissatisfied with how this series ended in the least. I may have shed a tear or two by the time I finished the last book.
Amazing series!
Amazing series!
February 11, 2020
I loved the whole book so much. I loved it from the start to finish.
October 23, 2020
So good
This book had everything I loved in it. I love how she includes adventure and sci-fi and puts it in to young kids point of views
This book had everything I loved in it. I love how she includes adventure and sci-fi and puts it in to young kids point of views
February 18, 2021
This was my favorite of the series.
February 21, 2021
Interesting end to the series. Hopeful, challenging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews