Akata Witch (5 Points)

             Usually characters in books and films are given their name for a reason. Sunny is such a specific name that it wouldn’t make sense for it to be random. The name Sunny tells the reader that this character will be a light in a world filled with darkness. Her name also tells us that she will be a hero and a role model.

             Sunny is an outsider and her situation is very unique to her. She has moved to Nigeria filled with people of a different skin color. She is albino, making her visibly different than everyone else. Since she is albino, she is called a witch. This is somewhat ironic because she ends up finding out later in the book that she actually is a witch. The theme explored in this book is similar to many stories told before it but the circumstances presented are unlike any other story I’ve seen or read.

Online I have read many articles stating that Akata Witch is the Nigerian version of Harry Potter. Although I think Harry Potter is an excellent series of stories, I don’t think it is very comparable to Akata Witch. The book feels like it has more depth than Harry Potter but it could be argued that both stories are about outsiders. Akata Witch also has better representation and is more inclusive. Readers learn more about Nigeria and its culture by reading this book.

Not only does this story have great representation, but it is also very intriguing. The story is about Sunny and other children with powers that must stop a serial killer from killing the children of Nigeria. The combination of diversity, relatable themes, and an action-packed story make this a very interesting book overall.

Sunny’s appearance is not the only thing holding her back. The fact that she is a woman is a major challenge for her. Her family and people of her town have expectations of her because she is a woman. This aspect of the book doesn’t have to do much with fantasy. It is a more real-life issue. She is expected to do things women stereotypically do like cook, care for her family, and not play sports. In this book Sunny proves to be her own person both physically and internally.

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