Set in the beauty of Ghana, Kofi, a boy with a vivid imagination, experiences the changing ways of the world and his tribe: the Asante. Dreams of more and challenges of what is reside in Kofi's mind while trying to balance the culture he was born to and the culture taking root in his land. When tragedy strikes close to home, Kofi must realize where his place in this world is.
Kwame Alexander uses his strong imagery and flowing prose to weave a story of growing up amongst strife and struggle. The richness of the culture can be felt in the use of tribal language and the subtle yet powerful nods to the historical time that the story is framed in. The analogies and uses of metaphor help to give warmth and life to the free verse on the page that flows like prose. The varying uses of text size and layout also give movement and life to the poems such as in "Where I Go". An interesting quality of the text is that some of the titles are part of the poem, so it is imperative to read each one.
"Alexander weaves a breathtaking tale that is ripe with the juxtaposing emotions that come with any coming-of-age story. Through Alexander’s verse, readers are reminded of the beauty and unbounded richness that Ghana and her people have to offer. Simultaneously, while offering a picture of mirth and tangible humanity, Alexander immerses readers in the reality of being Asante during the age of slavery. We see Kofi’s humanity slowly ripped away alongside the dehumanization of an entire race. Alexander has written a masterpiece, one that powerfully and truthfully gives agency to the Black voices of the past. Profound and important reading." — Nashae Jones, Booklist
Book Information:
Alexander, K. (2022). THE DOOR OF NO RETURN. New York: Little, Brown and Company. IBSN 9780316441865
What Next?
Read Swing also by Kwame Alexander!
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