By Craig Kofi Farmer
Publication Date: 2024
Joy for Books Review Score: 100%
Description from Bookshop.org: Twelve-year-old Kwame Powell isn't ready to deal with losing his grandmother, even as he and his family head to Ghana for her celebration of life.He's definitely not ready when he's sucked into a magical whirlpool that leads straight to Asamando, the Ghanaian underworld. There, he comes face to face with his grandmother, who is very much alive, and somehow still...a kid? Together with his best friend, Autumn, and a talkative aboatia named Woo, Kwame must battle angry nature gods, and stop the underworld from destroying the land of the living. But there's an even bigger problem: Only living souls can leave Asamando. In order to save the mortal world and return home, Kwame will need to find the courage to do the bravest thing of all -- learn how to say goodbye.
Joy for Books reviewer comments: "This fantasy chapter book depicts an African American boy and is a wonderful representation of cultural heritage, strength, friendship and family. It also highlights a female character who communicates via ASL and is of Asian decent. All characters are fully developed and the dialogue is realistic. Wonderful representation of an African American boy as a hero who shows emotional vulnerability. It also exposes the reader to Ghanaian mythology and folklore in a positive and exciting narrative."
By Craig Kofi Farmer
Publication Date: 2024
Joy for Books Review Score: 100%
Description from Bookshop.org: Twelve-year-old Kwame Powell isn't ready to deal with losing his grandmother, even as he and his family head to Ghana for her celebration of life.He's definitely not ready when he's sucked into a magical whirlpool that leads straight to Asamando, the Ghanaian underworld. There, he comes face to face with his grandmother, who is very much alive, and somehow still...a kid? Together with his best friend, Autumn, and a talkative aboatia named Woo, Kwame must battle angry nature gods, and stop the underworld from destroying the land of the living. But there's an even bigger problem: Only living souls can leave Asamando. In order to save the mortal world and return home, Kwame will need to find the courage to do the bravest thing of all -- learn how to say goodbye.
Joy for Books reviewer comments: "This fantasy chapter book depicts an African American boy and is a wonderful representation of cultural heritage, strength, friendship and family. It also highlights a female character who communicates via ASL and is of Asian decent. All characters are fully developed and the dialogue is realistic. Wonderful representation of an African American boy as a hero who shows emotional vulnerability. It also exposes the reader to Ghanaian mythology and folklore in a positive and exciting narrative."