Summary
An NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
An AMAZON BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2020
Nnedi Okorafor’s acclaimed first novel for middle grade readers introduces a boy who can access super powers with the help of the magical Ikenga.
Nnamdi’s father was a good chief of police, perhaps the best Kalaria had ever had. He was determined to root out the criminals that had invaded the town. But then he was murdered, and most people believed the Chief of Chiefs, most powerful of the criminal…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780593113530 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0593113535 |
| Author: | Nnedi Okorafor |
| Publisher: | Random House USA Inc |
| Imprint: | Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Div of Random House, Inc |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 240 |
| Release Date: | 24 November 2021 |
| Weight: | 187g |
| Dimensions: | 195mm x 127mm x 16mm |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
An NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
An AMAZON BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2020
★ “This wonderfully fresh superhero origin story offers a look into the shadowy, inexplicable powers that are suddenly in the hands of an ordinary child…Okorafor has created unique, multifaceted characters that will have young readers hoping for Nnamdi’s next adventure.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
★ “In her first middle-grade novel, Nnedi Okorafor deftly explores grief and corruption through this southeast Nigerian Igbo superhero origin story. With its enduring themes, charismatic characters and exhilarating events, Ikenga powerfully shows spiritual and fantastical elements confronting real-world problems.” —Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW
“Ikenga, the powerhouse speculative fiction writer Nnedi Okorafor’s middle grade debut, is a propulsive, juju-filled novel set in a fictional Nigerian town…Okorafor’s narrative provides comfort precisely because she refuses to gloss over violence, loss and pain.” —The New York Times
“Smart, exciting and well plotted, Ikenga offers all the traditional superhero satisfactions—colorful baddies, thrilling fight scenes, a hero with morality and justice on his side—in a fresh and distinctive modern-day setting where magic hums just below the surface.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Fans of classic superheroes—including Nnamdi’s favorite, the Incredible Hulk—and readers looking for a young superhero will find a champion in Nnamdi.” —Publishers Weekly
“A memorable middle-grade murder mystery that’s darkly humorous in some places and delightfully creepy in others.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A tightly paced action-adventure.” —Booklist
“This is a dynamic tale of a boy thrust into the role of a superhero….A rich Igbo cultural presence prevails in this novel, sparking an interest for more Nigerian-based stories.” —BCCB
“A roller coaster of action…Okorafor succeeds in imbuing West African culture throughout the origin story of a memorable new superhero.” —Horn Book
About The Author
Nnedi Okorafor
Nnedi Okorafor is an international award-winning novelist of science fiction and fantasy for children and adults. Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nnedi is known for weaving African culture into evocative settings and memorable characters. Nnedi has received the World Fantasy, Hugo, Nebula, and Lodestar Awards, amongst others, for her books. Her fans include Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, John Green, and Ursula K. Le Guin. She holds a PhD in Literature and lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her daughter Anyaugo.
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