Illustrated by Natasha Nayo 3 stars It’s Kwame’s first year at Nkonyaa School, where children learn about their innate magic and how to use it with the help of magical calabashes. But when he arrives, his teachers can’t figure out the magic of his calabash. A fun adventure inspired by Akan beliefs and practices. Mensah…
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5 stars I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It’s not a genre I would typically gravitate toward, but I was instantly pulled in by Braithwaite’s dark humor and dry wit. Korede would do anything to protect her younger sister, Ayoola. But after the third boyfriend who’s wound of dead in…
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Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds Based on the childhood experience of Georgie Badiel 5 stars A stunning picture book following a young girl’s daily journey to collect water for her family. Along the way, Gie Gie and her mother dance, sing, and socialize, bringing their own fun to the task. The story emphasizes the power…
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Art by Dare Coulter 5 stars Masterful. This book is hard-hitting, beautiful, powerful, hopeful, unabashed, and well-told. It acknowledges that the histories and realities of the past can be hard to face and difficult to discuss. But encourages us all to keep fighting for a better future. A story of hope and hardship, of remembering…
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Illustrated by Jenin Mohammed 5 stars A beautiful story celebrating new life and special connections. Amira is excited for her baby sister’s naming ceremony. But as her friends and family arrive, she worries the name she’s chosen isn’t special enough. Soon baby sister will wake and the naming ceremony will begin. Will Amira be ready…
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3 stars I recently read The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories and absolutely loved it. So, I thought I’d read some of the earlier collections in the series. What I loved about The Woman in the Woods is that it showcases a variety of indigenous authors and artists. As far as I can…
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4 stars A nice introduction to African myths and legends. There are 11 stories included in total that range from 1 to 4 pages. Photographs of various elements associated with the story are paired with each. I especially liked that the book isn’t just a collection of stories with no context. After each story, there…
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by Eucabeth Odhiambo Illustrated by Gillian Flint 5 stars Another fantastic She Persisted book. This one recounts the life and work of Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist and activist who founded the Green Belt Movement. The book describes Maathai’s life growing up in Kenya, her inspirations and influences, her continuing education, her work helping her community,…
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3 stars A fascinating superhero origin story steeped in Nigerian culture and lore. After the murder of his father, the chief of police, Nnamdi vows to avenge his death. The means to actualize that vow come with a powerful artifact, an ikenga, which gives him unparalleled abilities. Will revenge settle Nnamdi’s restlessness or is the…
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by Zora Neale Hurston Edited by Deborah G. Plant Forward by Alice Walker 5 stars An incredible read. Barracoon not only tells Cudjo Lewis’ story in his own words, but also the story of how Hurston’s relationship with him grew and the history of the book’s publication. About half of the book comes directly from…
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