Ikenga_(novel)

<i>Ikenga</i> (novel)

Ikenga (novel)

2020 fantasy novel by Nnedi Okorafor

Ikenga is a 2020 middle grade fantasy novel by Nigerian American writer Nnedi Okorafor.[1][2][3] It is Okorafor's first book to feature male protagonist and was nominated for the 2021 Edgar Awards.[4] The novel follows Nnamdi, a boy who can access superhuman powers with the help of the Ikenga.[5]

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Background

Okorafor's stated that she started writing the novel's first draft in 2009 and based it on Nigerian mythology and the Igbo culture in reference to the Igbo god Ikenga.[5]

Plot Summary

Set in Kaleria, a fictional town in contemporary Nigeria, Nnamdi's father who was a chief of police known for capturing criminals was murdered by an unknown group which is rumored to be the Chief of Chiefs and 12-year-old son Nnamdi vowed to avenge him.

On the day his father's memorial celebration, his father spirit soon appears to him and give him a gift of an small figurine known as Ikenga which can transform Nnamdi into a huge black figure with superhuman strength and rage nicknamed The Man by Newspapers. With his newly found powers, he becomes a vigilante and takes out Kaleria's dangerous criminals including the Chiefs of Chiefs.

Reception

The book received positive reactions[6] with the New York Times praising Okorafor's characters.[7] School Library Journal in a starred review stated that "this wonderfully fresh superhero origin story offers a look into the shadowy, inexplicable powers that are sudden bestowed in a child".[8]

Kirkus Review noted it for being "a memorable middle grade murder mystery".[9]

Award and recognitions

  • Nominated for the 2021 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile[4]
  • Amazon Best Children Book of 2020[10]
  • NPR Best Book of the Year[1]

References

  1. [1]
    NNEDI., OKORAFOR (2021). IKENGA. VIKING CHILDREN'S BOOKS. ISBN 978-0-593-11353-0. OCLC 1225190265.
  2. [2]
    Okorafor, Nnedi (2020). Ikenga - Nnedi Okorafor | BookishFirst. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-593-11352-3.
  3. [3]
    "Ikenga". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  4. [4]
    "Edgar Award Winners and Nominees". www.theedgars.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  5. [5]
    "A Boy Avenges His Murdered Father, With The Help Of A Magical 'Ikenga'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  6. [6]
    Njoku, Eboni. "Review of Ikenga". The Horn Book. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  7. [7]
    "Review of Nnedi Okorafor's Ikenga". New York Times Book Review. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  8. [8]
    Nnedi, Okorafor. "Ikenga". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  9. [9]
    IKENGA | Kirkus Reviews.
  10. [10]
    "Ages 9-12 @ Amazon.com". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
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