Reading Metrics
Description
In Queens, New York, ten-year-old Akilah is determined to find out why her closest friend Victoria is silent and withdrawn after returning from a trip to her homeland, Nigeria.
Quick Summary
Set in a bustling Queens neighborhood, ten-year-old Akilah notices her best friend Victoria has come back from Nigeria acting strangely quiet and secretive. The story follows Akilah as she tries to piece together what happened, using her spunky observations and a mix of jokes to coax her friend back into talking. The book balances everyday middle-school banter with moments that hint at a deeper, more painful experience Victoria faced overseas, making it both funny and unexpectedly moving. Kids who like realistic stories about friendships, especially those dealing with cultural shifts, will find it easy to relate to, and the short length (under 30,000 words) keeps the pace snappy. Parents should know the narrative touches on some serious topics like cultural expectations and the impact of trauma, though it stays age-appropriate and never gets graphic. If you enjoyed the same author's "One Crazy Summer" or stories like "The Night Diary" that explore immigrant experiences, you'll likely appreciate this one too.