Aya is my second selection from the PW list of Best Books. It takes place in Ivory Coast, Africa. Here's a map for the geographically challenged.
What I love about this story is that Aya, in many ways, is just another teen teetering on the brink of adulthood: she wants to go to university, she has party-loving girlfriends, and she has social, economic, and family constraints to overcome. Realistic teen girl GN fiction set in 1978 Africa. Educational and a terrific story.
In addition to this beautifully written and drawn story, we get something extra special called Ivorian Bonus. What's this? A fun glossary, instructions on wrapping a pagne skirt and how to roll my tassaba (cha-ching!). Plus recipes for gnamankoudji (a ginger beverage) and peanut sauce (with beef or chicken).
Our library catalogs this as adult, but I think teens would enjoy it.
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