A gripping, richly imagined fantasy set in an alternate African world in which a Black girl finds her power and saves her people from evil, by the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award–winning author of Black Panther: The Young Prince.
“Seek the Underground Kingdom, where the black flowers bloom.”
Asha doesn’t understand the mysterious words Suna manages to utter before she dies, just that the only mother she has ever known is gone. Together with her friend Obo, she sets off to find answers—but the land of Alkebulan is vast and filled with strange creatures, and there’s an evil sorcerer, the Shrike, stalking Asha and spreading darkness throughout the realm. Along the way, Asha begins to discover her own untapped powers, and uncovers shocking secrets about her family and the Shrike. Could Asha be the key to stopping him and bringing peace to the people of Alkebulan at last?
Topics Magic. Good and evil. Orphans. Action and adventure. Family secrets. Quests (expeditions). Alternative family. Self-esteem and self-reliance.
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Spring
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2023-01-30
JLG Release Date Apr 2023
Minimum grade 5
Maximum grade 8
Reading level Middle
Format Print
Fantasy/Science Fiction Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
Fantasy/Science Fiction Middle Plus
Fantasy/Science Fiction Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
For Grades 5-8
Your middle-school readers will thrill to new futures, fantasy realms, and alternate realities. Readers will look forward to discovering a new world monthly with the 14 books in this category.