I don’t read very many middle grade books these days, so I can’t compare Ikenga to other middle grade novels. What I can say, is that if Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor was published 18 years ago when I was in this book’s target age demographic, I would have been a much more avid reader! This book has wonderful characters, a cracking mystery plot, and superb writing. checked what else she's written.
This book opens with a rather dark premise, with our hero mourning the loss of his recently deceased father, whose murder is unsolved. This grief and murder mystery drives the plot and our young hero’s rage at his father’s untimely demise. Despite this seemingly dark narrative, though, there’s so much heart and hope in this story. I love it as an adult, but I am convinced that middle grade readers would love it even more.
This book opens with a rather dark premise, with our hero mourning the loss of his recently deceased father, whose murder is unsolved. This grief and murder mystery drives the plot and our young hero’s rage at his father’s untimely demise. Despite this seemingly dark narrative, though, there’s so much heart and hope in this story. I love it as an adult, but I am convinced that middle grade readers would love it even more.