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Synopses & Reviews
Black Panther meets X-Men in this action-packed and empowering middle grade adventure about a British Nigerian girl who learns that her Afro hair has psychokinetic powers — perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, The Marvellers, and Rick Riordan!
Onyeka has a lot of hair — the kind that makes strangers stop in the street and her peers whisper behind her back. At least she has Cheyenne, her best friend, who couldn't care less what other people think. Still, Onyeka has always felt uncomfortable with her vibrant curls...until the day Cheyenne almost drowns and Onyeka's hair takes on a life of its own, inexplicably pulling Cheyenne from the water.
At home, Onyeka's mother tells her the shocking truth: Onyeka's psycho-kinetic powers make her a Solari, one of a secret group of people with super powers unique to Nigeria. Her mother quickly whisks her off to the Academy of the Sun, a school in Nigeria where Solari are trained. But Onyeka and her new friends at the academy soon have to put their powers to the test as they find themselves embroiled in a momentous battle between truth and lies...
Review
"Onyeka is a force: a bold, courageous, and whipsmart protagonist for a new paradigm. Okogwu crafts a world where kids like Onyeka can really find their voice in this must-read debut fantasy." Louisa Onomé, author of Like Home and Twice As Perfect
Review
"Okogwu has created an exciting fantasy with Nigerian culture and customs woven into the plot to create excellent world building with interesting characters." Booklist
Review
"In Okogwu's vividly created Nigerian world, technology and an exploration of emotional internality interplay with a child's literalized relationship with her hair, making for an enjoyable X-Men-leaning series starter." Publishers Weekly
Review
"A delightful blend of adventure, heart, and Afrofuturism." Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Tolá Okogwu is a British Nigerian author, journalist, and hair care educator. Born in Nigeria but raised in London, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Having spent several years exploring the world of blogging, haircare, and freelance writing, she finally returned to her first love...fiction. She is the author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, the self-published picture book series Daddy Do My Hair, and Aziza's Secret Fairy Door under the name Lola Morayo. Tola lives in Kent, England, with her husband and two daughters. An avid reader and lover of music, she's also a sucker for melted cheese. Learn more at TolaOkogwu.com.