Okorafor, N. (2011). Akata witch. New York: Viking. ISBN 978-0-670-01196-4; hard cover; $17.99.
“We embrace those things that make us unique or odd. For only in these things can we locate and then develop our most individual abilities.” – Akata Witch, by Nnedi Okorafor
Why has Sunny always been so good at sneaking around like a ghost? How is it possible that she remembers almost dying from malaria at age two? And can she really foresee the end of the world in the flame of a candle?
Sunny has always been different. A white-skinned Nigerian albino born in the U.S. but living with her family in Nigeria, she doesn’t exactly fit in at school. But when she makes friends with fellow oddballs Orlu and Chichi, she discovers that all of her differences point to the special, magical abilities she never knew she had. Sunny is part of a top-secret international society of Leopard People who use juju and special powers to perform magic. But just when she thinks all her questions are finally being answered, she and her friends are assigned the most dangerous mission in the Leopard world: they must track down the serial killer and black magic legend, Black Hat Otokoto. Will these four spunky teens be able to out-juju one of the most powerful Leopards of their time?
Akata Witch has been called the Nigerian Harry Potter, and for good reason; if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love this story. The Nigerian setting and words mixed into the narrative give this book a beautiful vibrancy, and the strong teen characters are funny and admirable. I give this book five stars.
Awards won: YALSA 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2012 CCBC Choices
About Nnedi Okorafor
Check out this profile article on Okorafor from the New York Times: Nnedi Okorafor and the Fantasy Genre She Is Helping Redefine
You’ll find out about Okorafor’s background, her writing process, and how she draws on African culture, mythology, and folklore in her writing.
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