Topic: African/African-Caribbean Literature

Nnedi Okorafor is an African American writer.  Though American-born, she and her family constantly traveled back and forth between America and Nigeria, which she referred to as her "muse." She discovered her passion for writing while in college.  Some of her influences are Stephen King and Clive Barker.

Nnedi wrote Akata Witch, a fantasy novel that takes place in Nigeria.  Some have compared it to Harry Potter as it has similar plot lines and details.  For example, two girls and two boys pair up to learn juju and (they are witches) and must improve their knowledge and skills so they can defeat an evil villain.  The connection to Harry Potter stops there.  Akata Witch will hold you captive as you read.  This group of kids must put aside their differences -- for which there are many -- and find advisors for when they reach the next level of juju.  In the meantime, a serial killer is out there killing young children and this group of four friends are the only ones who can stop him.  The main character, Sunny, is African and has lived in the States, however, she has "white" skin, something passed down genetically from her grandmother.  Sasha is from the States and is somewhat looked down upon for is seeming inauthenticity.  Chichi lives in the equivalent of a "mud hut" as her mother considers knowledge more valuable than money.  Orlu comes from a "normal" family and is more or less the glue of the group.
Together, the four overcome their differences and learn to understand the world in a new way.

Children's books to accompany Akata Witch:
Caribbean Dream by Rachel Isadora
Under the Moon and Over the Sea by John Agard
For You Are a Kenyan Child by Kelly Cunnane
Ashanti to Zulu by Margaret Musgrove
Jamari's Drum by Eboni Bynum and Roland Jackson
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
Toussaint L'ouverture: The Fight for Haiti's Freedom by Walter Dean Myers

Discussion Questions:
Under the Moon and Over the Sea

1. Several poems had racial subtext.  For example, "Once the Wind" could be interpreted as different cultures coming together.  Are there other examples of poems that have racial subtext?  Are there other subtexts you picked up on?
2. Every poet comes from and African-Caribbean background (whether born in the Caribbean, having parents who are Caribbean, or moved to the Caribbean), though most have moved to places like the UK, US, or Canada.  Sometimes their Western Backgrounds pour into the poems (for example, in "Anancy," Miss Muffett is referenced).  How do these obviously non-Caribbean references hinder or enhance your reading of the poems and/or the collection as a whole?  Were there other examples that stuck otu to you as not quite fitting?
3. What are your impressions of the traditional poems and proverbs included?

Caribbean Dream

1. I feel that the draw of this book is in its illustrations.  How do the illustrations represent African-Caribbean culture?
2. The author is a white New Yorker who used to be a ballerina and now has a career in illustration.  Does this change your opinion of the book's authenticity?
3. What do you think Cai would say about this book?  What about some of the authors that have talked about authenticity/accuracy in Fox?

General questions:

1. Some stereotypes of Africa view Africa as being primitive, harsh, and dangerous.  Do these picture books promote these stereotypes?  Why or why not?
2. Do the books promote sameness and universal themes or look at the differences in cultures and what makes Africa/African Caribbean unique?
3. How is power depicted in the story?  Is it depicted at all?

Other books of interest:
(for older readers)
Nelson Mandela by Laaren Brown
Aya by Marguerite Abouet
Kings and Queens of West Africa by Sylviane Anna Diouf
Out of Bounds by Beverley Naidoo
Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton

(for younger readers)
Babu's Song by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Seeds of Change by Jen Cullerton
I lost my tooth in Africa by Penda Diakite
Africa is not a country by Margy Burns Knight
Here comes Our Bride by Ifeoma Onyefulu
Ikenna Goes to Nigeria by Ifeoma Onyefulu
One Hen by Katie Smith Milway

Awards for Akata Witch:

• Locus Award Finalist.  The Locus Awards was established in the early 1970s and is given to readers of Locus Magazine.  Readers choose the winner through the magazine's poll yearly.
• Andre Norton Award nominee.  This is an annual award given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer of America (SFWA) group to the author of the best young adult or middle grade science fiction or fantasy book published in the US.
• Amazon.com Best Book of 2011.  Every year Amazon.com selects the most popular books, including Editor's Top Picks, Hugo Award Winners, and Edgar Award Nominees as ways of determining a winner.
• 2011 YALSA Best Book of the year.  YALSA awards honor the best teen literature each year.
• Children's Africana Book Award.  Established in 1992, this award encourages the publication of accurate, balanced, children's materials on Africa, recognizes literary excellence, and acknowledges research achievements of outstanding authors and illustrators.

Websites of interest:
http://www.nnedi.com -- Nnedi's personal website
http://www.africaaccessreview.org/aar/index.html -- Read reviews and essays
http://www.facebook.com/pages/who-fears-death-the-movie/184313018245938 -- See Facebook for a trailer of Who Fears Death based on the Nnedi's book of the same title