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Overview
Even though they were born in different countries, Akilah and Victoria are true best friends. But Victoria has been acting strange ever since she returned from her summer in Nigeria, where she had a special coming-of-age ceremony. Why does proud Victoria, named for a queen, slouch at her desk and answer the teacher's questions in a whisper? And why won't she laugh with Akilah anymore?
Akilah's name means "intelligent," and she is determined to find out what's wrong, no matter how much detective work she has to do. But when she learns the terrible secret Victoria is hiding, she suddenly has even more questions. The only problem is, they might not be the kind that have answers.
In this groundbreaking novel, Coretta Scott King Honor winner Rita Williams-Garcia uses her vividly realistic voice to explore an often taboo practice that affects millions of girls around the world every year. Readers will identify with headstrong, outspoken Akilah, whose struggle to understand what's happened to Victoria reveals a painful truth in an honest and accessible way.
In Queens, New York, ten-year-old Akilah is determined to find out why her closest friend, Victoria, is silent and withdrawn after returning from a trip to her homeland, Nigeria.
Synopsis
In this groundbreaking novel, Coretta Scott King Award winner Rita Williams-Garcia uses her vividly realistic voice to highlight an often taboo practice that affects millions of girls around the world every year, and to explore a perspective not often depicted in YA fiction. Even though they were born in different countries, Akilah and Victoria are true best friends. But Victoria has been acting strange ever since she returned from her summer in Nigeria, where she had a special coming-of-age ceremony. Why does proud Victoria, named for a queen, slouch at her desk and answer the teacher's questions in a whisper? And why won't she laugh with Akilah anymore? Akilah's name means "intelligent," and she is determined to find out what's wrong. But when she learns the terrible secret Victoria is hiding, she suddenly has even more questions. The only problem is, they might not be the kind that have answers. Powerful Friendship: Akilah won’t give up on her best friend, Victoria. She is determined to uncover the secret that stole her laughter, no matter the cost. A Coming-of-Age Story: What happens when a special ceremony in Nigeria leaves a girl traumatized and silent? This novel confronts a world of secrets many are afraid to face. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): A frank, honest, and necessary exploration of a difficult topic, told with empathy through the eyes of a young girl trying to understand the unthinkable. Banned Books Contender: Perfect for readers, parents, and educators looking for challenging, thought-provoking YA contemporary realism that opens up essential conversations.Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In this disturbing and poignant coming-of-age novel, Williams-Garcia (Fast Talk on a Slow Track; Like Sisters on the Homefront) explores how two girls experience very different initiations into adolescence. Ten-year-old Akilah (whose name means "intelligence" in Swahili) feels ambivalent about being an "early bloomer." Instead of brooding about the changes in her body, she would rather be playing with her Nigerian friend Victoria, who is spending the summer in Africa with her family. Akilah looks forward to Victoria's return to America, but when Victoria finally does come home, she is different, acting quiet and withdrawn and treating Akilah like a stranger. Worst of all, Victoria "won't laugh." The author plants subtle clues as to Victoria's dramatic change (e.g., Victoria overreacts to the word "operation," in math class). But most readers will be as baffled as Akilah wondering what happened to Victoria in Nigeria to make her so sad. Then the shocking truth comes out during a heart-breaking confessional: While back in their homeland, Victoria's parents forced her to have an operation, and Victoria no longer feels whole. This contemporary tale about the ancient rite of female circumcision will no doubt leave an indelible mark on preteens. The author attempts to remain objective, showing how and why the ritual is still practiced in some cultures. Nonetheless, what readers will remember most about this honest novel is Victoria's physical and emotional pain and how her trauma dramatically affects Akilah's perception of Victoria's parents and her own pride in her heritage. Ages 12-up. (Jan.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.VOYA
Best friends Akilah and Victoria are usually inseparable. When Victoria and her family leave for an extended vacation to Nigeria during the summer before fifth grade, Akilah waits every day for some sign of Victoria's return. Akilah is overjoyed to see Victoria again, but something is wrong. Victoria no longer raises her hand in class, she does not play during recess, and she is not talking to Akilah. Victoria hides a terrible secret that Akilah uncovers after much prodding. It is so terrifying that no girl or woman should ever have to bear the secret alone. In her fourth novel, Williams-Garcia chooses a serious and rather uncomfortable topic as her focus. Female genital mutilation, or FGM, is a cultural rite of passage that millions of girls are forced to endure every year. The reader watches as these two young girls deal with this horrific situation. Williams-Garcia includes an afterword that provides general information on FGM and lists where readers can find more information on the subject. The publisher suggests the book for those students twelve years old and up; however, many younger students might not understand the subject matter. Instead it should be recommended for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. VOYA Codes: 3Q 2P J S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Amistad/HarperCollins, 144p., and PLB Ages 12 to 18.—Jonatha Masters
KLIATT
Akilah Hunter is spending her tenth summer looking forward to the return of her best friend Victoria Ojike from Nigeria, and to the start of fifth grade, but not to getting her first period, even though her mother has told her she's an "early bloomer." However, when Victoria and her family come back to Queens, something is wrong. Victoria is kept in the house, and when school starts, she isn't the same. She won't talk, she writes in little tiny letters instead of her regular loopty loos, she won't answer questions when the teacher asks, and she won't laugh-at all. Victoria's family tells Akilah she is getting over an illness. It is only after Victoria walks out of the class during a movie about human development and sexuality that Akilah swears her silence and learns the truth. Victoria haltingly tells the story of her trip to Nigeria, and the operation she had that has made her different from all the other girls in her class. Akilah is horrified, but wants to know more. When Akilah's mother discovers her researching a Web site about female genital mutilation, she confronts the Ojike family, opening a chasm between their two cultures and the two girls. By the end, readers realize some wounds heal slowly, and some not at all. Williams-Garcia uses Akilah's innocence and curiosity to address a delicate human rights issue about which she feels passionate. The text includes an author's note with suggestions for finding additional information on FGM. KLIATT Codes: J-Recommended for junior high school students. 2004, HarperCollins, Amistad, 133p., Ages 12 to 15.— Michele Winship
KLIATT -
To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, January 2004: Akilah Hunter is spending her tenth summer looking forward to the return of her best friend Victoria Ojike from Nigeria, and to the start of fifth grade, but not to getting her first period, even though her mother has told her she's an "early bloomer." However, when Victoria and her family come back to Queens, something is wrong. Victoria is kept in the house, and when school starts, she isn't the same. She won't talk, she writes in little tiny letters instead of her regular loopty loos, she won't answer questions when the teacher asks, and she won't laugh—at all. Victoria's family tells Akilah she is getting over an illness. It is only after Victoria walks out of the class during a movie about human development and sexuality that Akilah swears her silence and learns the truth. Victoria haltingly tells the story of her trip to Nigeria, and the operation she had that has made her different from all the other girls in her class. Akilah is horrified, but wants to know more. When Akilah's mother discovers her researching a website about female genital mutilation, she confronts the Ojike family, opening a chasm between their two cultures and the two girls. By the end, readers realize some wounds heal slowly, and some not at all. Williams-Garcia uses Akilah's innocence and curiosity to address a delicate human rights issue about which she feels passionate. The text includes an author's note with suggestions for finding additional information on FGM.Library Journal
Gr 5-8-The friendship between two fifth-grade girls is at the center of this powerful novel, which also deals with the issue of female genital mutilation (FMG). Akilah, a 10-year-old African-American girl from Queens, can't wait for her best friend, Victoria, to come home from a visit to her grandmother in Nigeria. The Victoria who returns home, however, seems like a very different girl-quiet, reserved, and unhappy. Akilah spends the first half of the novel trying to figure out what happened to her friend. Victoria finally spills the truth: her family allowed a doctor to remove her clitoris so she would be a "clean and proper" Nigerian girl. Akilah is outraged, but keeps her friend's secret until her mother finds out by accident. Akilah's mother, also angered, screams at Victoria's mother and causes a rift between the two families. Williams-Garcia provides age-appropriate details without using anatomical terms and addresses some cultural issues and contradictions without overwhelming readers. Mostly the story focuses on the relationship between the two girls and Akilah's sometimes troubled bond with her mother. Because the story is told entirely from Akilah's point of view, the emotional impact of FMG is somewhat muted. However, readers with an interest in human rights and world issues may find the novel compelling, and it can also be appreciated as a story about friendship.-Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.Kirkus Reviews
This exquisitely written short novel tackles an enormous and sensitive subject. Ten-year-old Akilah waits for her friend Victoria to return to Queens from a summer trip to Victoria's birthplace, Nigeria. But when Victoria returns, she's different. She won't leave her house or even say hello. Eventually she returns to school but gives only one-word answers; she seems wilted and stunned. Where is her laughter, her sharp wit, her academic sparkle? Akilah stays confused until Victoria finally talks: in complete ignorance, she was taken by her family to Nigeria specifically to undergo female genital mutilation. As Akilah, sickened, begins to comprehend, so does the reader. Williams-Garcia pulls no punches: the operation's consequences are clearly explained, not gratuitously but for truth. Eye-opening and grounded solidly in the present, this piece has absolutely non-generic characters and allows a shocking subject various points of view (all black) without sacrificing a moral compass. Unapologetic, fresh, and painful. (author's note) (Fiction. 10-16)ALA Booklist (Starred review)
“Combines a richly layered story with accurate, culturally specific information ..... [a] skillfully told, powerful story.”(Starred review) -
"Combines a richly layered story with accurate, culturally specific information ..... [a] skillfully told, powerful story."Book Details
Published
October 6, 2009
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Pages
144
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780061975752