Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2025 Gr 3–7—Afia and her twin sister Aya are poised to become crystal merchants like their mother and father before them in their sequestered desert village of Dafra. On the eve of their ewende ceremony where their community will initiate them into their adult lives, Afia encounters a mysterious carver at the monthly market day. When she runs away in the middle of her ewende and accepts Bakame's invitation to meet the powerful queen of a land of mysterious wonders, she understands that it will mean leaving her twin and the rest of her family behind, perhaps forever. What she does not know and could not imagine is that Queen Ukiwa of Ijabu has built her palace and her kingdom on the lives and dreams of her courtiers through magical entrapment. When Afia finally uncovers the truth, she must discover who she truly is and find the courage to overcome adversity to free herself and everyone else from the queen's control. Along the way, she encounters untold dangers and meets unexpected allies in her quest to return and seek forgiveness from her beloved sister. This illustrated retelling of Alice in Wonderland draws heavily on African folklore and mysticism to create an endearing fantasy that celebrates curiosity, self-reliance, compassion, friendship, and family bonds. VERDICT A reimagining of a classic of children's literature, this will be particularly enjoyed by readers who are interested in myths and fairy tales from diverse cultures; recommended for middle school.—Kelly Kingrey-Edwards - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Other - 04/07/2025 In this Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland retelling set in a West Africa-inspired locale, 16-year-old Afia leaves her everyday life behind to embark on fantastical adventures in a magical forest. Though Afia and her twin sister Aya are preparing to enter their family’s diamond-selling business, Afia yearns for more than the boring life she expects to live in the isolated cliffside city of Dafra. Then she meets Bakame, a mysterious shape-shifter who claims he can show her wonderful things if she goes with him. At first, he makes good on his promise, traveling with Afia to Ij?b?, "the land of wonders," and home to charming Queen Ukiwa. But Afia soon learns that the queen and her land are not all they seem to be. Afia’s longing to free herself from her family’s expectations chafes against her love and loyalty to them, adding a nuanced layer of emotional tumult to this freewheeling debut. Araujo’s tender depictions of siblinghood ground theatrical plotting, while painterly illustrations peppered throughout evoke ethereal atmosphere and enhance the novel’s whimsical and enigmatic elements. Ages 9-12. Agent: Regina Brooks, Serendipity Literary. (Apr.) - Copyright 2025