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    The Children's Book Review

    My Writing and Reading Life: Nnedi Okorafor, Author of Akata Warrior

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Author Interviews Best Kids Stories Books with Girl Characters Fantasy: Supernatural Fiction Giveaways Mythology Teens: Young Adults
    My Writing and Reading Life Nnedi Okorafor Author of Akata Warrior
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    The Children’s Book Review | October 17, 2017

    Nnedi Okorafor was born in the United States to two Igbo (Nigerian) immigrant parents. She holds a PhD in English and is a professor of creative writing at Chicago State University. She has been the winner of many awards for her short stories and young adult books, and won a World Fantasy Award for Who Fears Death. Nnedi’s books are inspired by her Nigerian heritage and her many trips to Africa. She lives in Chicago with her daughter Anyaugo and family.

    I write because…

    I need to see what happens next.

    I read because…

    I need to see what happens next.

    My latest published book is…

    Akata Warrior.

    I wrote this book because…

    I needed to see what happened next.

    Best moment…

    When I won the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Lagos, Nigeria. When my name was announced my family jumped up screaming and suddenly I was being shoved to a stage where West Africa’s first Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka stood holding a giant check for $20,000.

    My special place to write is …

    My living room couch.

    Necessary writing/creativity tool…

    My self.

    The person who has been my greatest writing teacher or inspiration is…

    Stephen King.

    Currently reading…

    Tales of Falling and Flying.

    Favorite bookshop…

    Afriware Books.

    All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t write…

    A tie between Comet in Moominland and The Changeover.

    Favorite illustrator…

    A tie between Craig Thompson and Sophie Campbell.

    A literary character I would like to vacation with …

    The character of !Xabbu in Tad Williams’ Otherland series.

    When I am not reading or writing I am…

    Going on adventures with my daughter or working out.

    To learn more, visit: http://www.nnedi.com/

    Akata WarriorAkata Warrior

    Written by Nnedi Okorafor

    Publisher’s Synopsis: A year ago, Sunny Nwazue, an American-born girl Nigerian girl, was inducted into the secret Leopard Society. As she began to develop her magical powers, Sunny learned that she had been chosen to lead a dangerous mission to avert an apocalypse, brought about by the terrifying masquerade, Ekwensu. Now, stronger, feistier, and a bit older, Sunny is studying with her mentor Sugar Cream and struggling to unlock the secrets in her strange Nsibidi book.

    Eventually, Sunny knows she must confront her destiny. With the support of her Leopard Society friends, Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha, and of her spirit face, Anyanwu, she will travel through worlds both visible and invisible to the mysteries town of Osisi, where she will fight a climactic battle to save humanity.

    Much-honored Nnedi Okorafor, winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards, merges today’s Nigeria with a unique world she creates. Akata Warrior blends mythology, fantasy, history and magic into a compelling tale that will keep readers spellbound.

    Ages 14+ | Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0670785612

    Available Here: 

    Text, logoBuy on AmazonLogo

    Book Giveaway

    Enter for a chance to be one (1) of three (3) winners to receive a hardcover copy of Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor. (ARV: $18.99 each).

    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on October 2, 2017 and 12:00 AM on October 20, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about October 23, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

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    Blog Tour Schedule

    Week One:
    October 2 – NovelKnight – Review
    October 3 – Alexa Loves Books – Review
    October 4 – Bibliophile Gathering – Review
    October 5 – Dazzled by Books – Review
    October 6 – YA and Wine – Review & Favorite Quotes
    Week Two:
    October 9 – MuggleNet – Review
    October 10 – Wandering Bark Books – Review
    October 11 – YA Wednesdays – Review
    October 12 – What Sarah Read – Review
    October 13 – Here’s to Happy Endings – Review
    Week Three:
    October 16 – Books 4 Your Kids – Review
    October 17 – The Children’s Book Review – Author Q&A
    October 18 – The Book Wars – Review
    October 19 – Bookstorm Reads – Review
    October 20 – Hollywood News Source – Playlist

    Discover more books like Akata Warrior, written by Nnedi Okorafor, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Fantasy, Magic, and Mythology; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.

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    African American Fantasy Magic My Writing and Reading Life Mythology Nnedi Okorafor Viking Books for Young Readers
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    3 Comments

    1. danielle hammelef on October 17, 2017 7:01 am

      I enjoyed this interview today and adore her answers to the questions–she gets to the point and that is refreshing. I am going to have fun reading these books.

      Reply
    2. Nicole H on October 17, 2017 7:51 pm

      I’ve heard such great things about this book. I’ve been really wanting to read it.

      Reply
    3. Raymond Stone on October 18, 2017 5:00 pm

      In it to WIN it! Thank You!!!

      Reply

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