AFRICAN TOWN

ISBN: 978-0593322888

G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Random House
with Charles Waters

African Town Discussion Guide

Q & A with Irene Latham & Charles Waters

Interview with Charles Waters and Irene Latham

Listen to Irene & Charles on NPR Weekend




National Geographic educational resources about Africatown

National Geographic video: Finding the Last Slave Ship

Click here for information about Clotilda artifacts.


Children's Book Council Favorite Book

NJLA Garden State Teen Book Awards Fiction Grades 9-12

Chronicling the story of the last Africans brought illegally to America in 1860, African Town is a powerful and stunning novel-in-verse.

"This honest, heartrending, and inspiring story is an important and necessary contribution to historical fiction collections for young adult readers."
School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

"The voice of the characters is strong and... the journey itself is not to be missed"
School Library Connection STARRED REVIEW

"African Town is a compelling novel that doubles as an important historic document, invaluable for both classroom use and independent reading."
Booklist STARRED REVIEW

"A book that should be both taught and treasured."
BookPage STARRED REVIEW

"A thoughtful portrait of how trauma informs and inhibits identity making."
BCCB

"an insightful, quickly paced telling that centers tradition and resilience."
Publisher's Weekly

Great Reads from Great Places 2022 Reading List Pick for Alabama

Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award list 2024

South Carolina Young Adult Book award nominee list

SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction ... and more.

YALSA 2023 Best Fiction for Young Adults

CBC National Council on Social Studies 2023 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People NPR 2022 Books We Love

Oprah Winfrey's 15 Best Historical Fiction Books of 2022

Don't miss the documentary film DESCENDANT currently streaming on Netflix.

A SLJ Mock Newbery pick

2022 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Cybils Finalist - Verse Novels

Yellowhammer Honor Book

2023 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award nominee (middle grade)


7thSon Productions presents a video interview about African Town with Irene Latham and Charles Waters