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)