AFIA IN THE LAND OF WONDERS

A curious teen in a world inspired by West African kingdoms from the 10th through the 16th centuries runs away in search of adventure and finds herself in an unexpected world.

Sixteen-year-old Afia and her twin sister, Aya, are about to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony that will allow them to enter their family’s business as crystal merchants. Aya is dutiful, but Afia wants to see the world, even though her family feels it’s too dangerous to explore. When Afia meets Bakame, a shape-shifting boy, she flees the ceremony and joins him on a voyage beyond her familiar Dafra community. Bakame astonishes Afia when he tells her about Queen Ukiwa and her palace in Ijábù, “the land of wonders.” When Afia meets the Queen, she’s in awe—finally, she’s having experiences like those in the books she’s read. But Afia’s impression of the Queen changes dramatically after she witnesses her terrible cruelty. She’s determined to leave Ijábù, and her only ally is Ojike, a spirit of a boy who’s wearing a carved cat mask. He proposes a bargain: If she helps him overthrow the Queen, he’ll assist her in finding her way home. This clever, lushly illustrated fantasy is influenced by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The dramatic action features twists and surprises, and Afia is a compelling protagonist whose sibling relationship is an essential part of her character arc.

An intriguing story that explores self-discovery in a fantastical setting.