Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
by Tọlá Okogwu
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 9+
Published by Simon & Schuster, 2022
About this book
Onyeka hates her wild mass of out-of-control hair. Everywhere she goes it attracts unwanted attention and unasked for comments. Just one more thing that makes her feel different and left out.
Until that day at the swimming pool when it’s her hair that saves her, and best friend Cheyenne, from drowning.
Rather than being pleased, her mum is alarmed by what’s happened and whisks Onyeka back to Nigeria where she is enrolled at the Academy of the Sun, a training school for children with superpowers.
But Onyeka’s new reality brings challenges and she soon finds herself in the midst of a battle for truth, freedom and life itself.
This first instalment of an unusual superhero series, explores classic themes of trust, deception, loyalty and self-sacrifice for the greater good.
As Onyeka comes to terms with her newly-discovered powers, she initially struggles to control them and has to do a lot of growing up in a short space of time. With her sense of liberation comes the realisation of the responsibility she holds, both to herself and to others.
Fans of superhero movies will enjoy the spectacular fight scenes, the ethical conundrums and the timeless clash between good and evil.
About the author
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