Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 06/01/2020 The murder of Nnamdi’s father, the chief of police, halts the campaign to end widespread corruption in their Nigerian town of Kaleria. A year later, the murder is still unsolved, but Nnamdi is certain that the culprit is the local crimelord known as the Chief of Chiefs. When the spirit of Nnamdi’s father visits in the night and gives him the Ikenga, a statuette that endows the power to transform into a huge, Incredible Hulk–like man, Nnamdi takes it upon himself to finish his father’s work and stamp out corruption, one crook at a time. Okorafor returns to middle-grade with a tightly paced action-adventure rooted in the turbulent emotions of her young protagonist. This new, Nigerian superhero, dubbed “The Man,” proves an effective device for exploring Nnamdi’s unresolved feelings. As his rage fuels a violent—often intensely so, with knives, guns, and bloody beatings—path of revenge, he leans on his friends to help him solve the murder mystery, restore order to Kaleria, and find peace within himself. An engaging stand-alone with sequel potential.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy–winning Okorafor made a splash with the African-rooted fantasy of her Akata Witch books, and her kidlit fans will be eager for a new series of a similar nature. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 Gr 4–8—Fans of Okorafor's "Akata" series will enjoy the author's middle grade debut, introducing her work to a new set of readers. When 12-year-old Nnamdi Icheteka's father is murdered, this Nigerian boy draws on the powers of his ancestors and an ancient magic to cope with his loss and deal with the growing criminal underground threatening to take over his hometown of Kaleria. This wonderfully fresh superhero origin story offers a look into the shadowy, inexplicable powers that are suddenly in the hands of an ordinary child. Through the strength bestowed upon him by the Igbo symbol of an Ikenga, Nnamdi transforms into an otherworldly force as he metaphorically deals with the big emotions of grief and tries to solve the mystery of who killed his father. While the themes of good vs. evil and vigilante justice will seem familiar, Okorafor has created unique, multifaceted characters that will have young readers hoping for Nnamdi's next adventure. VERDICT Though violent at times, this fantasy novel will surely appeal to comic-book lovers and mystery-seekers alike, and would be an asset to any library.—Monisha Blair, Rutgers Univ., NJ - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 Gr 4–8—Fans of Okorafor's "Akata" series will enjoy the author's middle grade debut, introducing her work to a new set of readers. When 12-year-old Nnamdi Icheteka's father is murdered, this Nigerian boy draws on the powers of his ancestors and an ancient magic to cope with his loss and deal with the growing criminal underground threatening to take over his hometown of Kaleria. This wonderfully fresh superhero origin story offers a look into the shadowy, inexplicable powers that are suddenly in the hands of an ordinary child. Through the strength bestowed upon him by the Igbo symbol of an Ikenga, Nnamdi transforms into an otherworldly force as he metaphorically deals with the big emotions of grief and tries to solve the mystery of who killed his father. While the themes of good vs. evil and vigilante justice will seem familiar, Okorafor has created unique, multifaceted characters that will have young readers hoping for Nnamdi's next adventure. VERDICT Though violent at times, this fantasy novel will surely appeal to comic-book lovers and mystery-seekers alike, and would be an asset to any library.—Monisha Blair, Rutgers Univ., NJ - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.