Synopses & Reviews
In the northern Ooni Kingdom, fear of the unknown runs deep, and children born dada are rumored to have special powers. Thirteen-year-old Zahrah Tsami feels like a normal girlshe grows her own flora computer, has mirrors sewn onto her clothes, and stays clear of the Forbidden Greeny Jungle. But unlike other children in the village of Kirki, Zahrah was born with the telling dadalocks. Only her best friend, Dari, isnt afraid of her, even when something unusual begins happeningsomething that definitely makes Zahrah different. The two friends determine to investigate, edging closer and closer to danger. When Daris life is threatened, Zahrah must face her worst fears alone, including the very thing that makes her different.
In this exciting debut novel by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu, things arent always what they seemmonkeys tell fortunes, plants offer wisdom, and a teenage girl is the only one who stands a chance at saving her best friends life.
Review
"A welcome addition to a genre sorely in need of more heroes and heroines of color." Booklist Booklist, ALA
Teachers, scholars, and students...will appreciate this book.
KLIATT
"...Refreshingly different, Zahrah's coming-of-age story introduces...a vibrant new world." -- Bulletin Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Synopsis
In the Ooni Kingdom, children born dadawith vines growing in their hairare rumored to have special powers. Zahrah Tsami doesnt know anything about that. She feels normal. Others think shes differentthey fear her. Only Dari, her best friend, isnt afraid of her. But then something begins to happensomething that definitely marks Zahrah as differentand the only person she can tell is Dari. He pushes her to investigate, edging them both closer and closer to danger. Until Daris life is on the line. Only Zahrah can save him, but to do so shell have to face her worst fears alone, including the very thing that makes her different.
About the Author
Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu's short stories have been published in anthologies and magazines, including Dark Matter II, Strange Horizons, and Writers of the Future, Volume XVIII. Nnedi lives with her daughter, Anyaugo, and family in Illinois.