Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor - HIGH

Akata Warrior (Akata Witch #2) by Nnedi Okorafor, 477 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2017.  $19

Language: R (56 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking, smoking, native wise woman with no top); Violence: PG-13 (gang jump in described)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Sunny, 13, is beginning to grasp her Leopard powers, but an unfortunate encounter separates her from her spirit self.  She should be dead, but both parts of her have string wills.  This is not the only ploy that the evil Ekwensu has to destroy the only Leopard who has the power to defeat her plans for world destruction. But if Sunny and her friends can overcome the challenges within their group, they may also be able to defeat this ancient evil.

While only 13, Sunny and her friends take on adult roles with adult behaviors – quite beyond what kids read in the Harry Potter books.  But the look at magic from an African perspective is compelling and interesting.  I love that about this series. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS