Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi
Published by HarperCollins Publishers on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0062888846
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Sixteen year old Nigeria Jones is a young black woman being raised in her father’s separatist group in West Philadelphia. Called the Movement, the group’s way of life is more of a cult than a belief system. After her mother goes missing, Nigeria, despite her intense grief, is expected to follow in her footsteps, helping raise her baby brother, becoming the female face of the Movement, and embracing her leadership role in the teen group. At the same time, she begins to discover the shocking truth behind her mother and father’s relationship, her mother’s desires for Nigeria’s future, and the deceptions behind the business side of the Movement. Having been homeschooled her whole life, and taught prejudice and distrust of anyone outside of the Movement, she longs to go to her local private school like her cousin whose family has left the Movement, and she begins to question her upbringing and her relationship with her father while longing to learn new ideas, explore the world, and even go away to college. This is a gripping story of self discovery, rebirth and finding one’s inner strength. The complexities of her family dynamic and friendships that are at odds with her vision of a future for herself, set against the backdrop of modern racial tensions make this a strong choice for any YA collection. While not all readers will be able to relate to Nigeria’s upbringing or belief system, many teens will see themselves in her need to spread her wings and fly.

 

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York