Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

In a vague way, I've been trying to find more literature from non American or British authors. Over time I've been picking at African literature, but I haven't had a ton of success. I greatly like Chinua Achebe, but then who doesn't. I believe strongly that reading widely and on a variety of cultures is a way of developing insight. It is also highly enjoyable. When I heard about Akata Witch I had to read it.

I tripped across Akata Witch on Book Riot. It appears on many of their lists and is billed as an African Harry Potter which I think diminishes both Harry Potter and Akata Witch. There are certainly some similarities. Both books start with very young protagonists who discover that not only magic exists but also that they can do it. Additionally, they then start training in magic and eventually run against some sort of big bad that they have to confront even though they are just children. So, yes, in the broad strokes they are similar ideas. That's where it ends though.

Akata Witch is set in Nigeria and Sunny, the main character, is an American born Nigerian. She's also an albino which is a very mystical thing. The whole magic culture described is based on African juju, although the existence of other magical traditions is accounted for. The values are different and the environment is wild, colorful, and lively. Instead of one big magical school. The four students study with a master. Education is more hands on and figure it out on your own. Which all makes for a much different feel.

I liked the veneration of knowledge for its own sake and the attitude about the important things in life. Don't get me wrong, I love the Harry Potter books and they will always be special to me. Akata Witch is just different and special in its own way.

It's really hard to describe why this book is so amazing without ruining some of the joy of discovery. I'm thrilled to have a copy in my classroom library and I was so enthusiastic about my description of it this morning that a student already has it checked out. I'm looked forward to talking with him about his impressions of it.