Mayowa and the Sea of Words

In this gleeful children's debut from Onuzo (Sankofa, for adults), propulsive chapters follow a brave and endearing tween who must use her newfound magical abilities to stop a power-hungry politician from hurting others. British Nigerian 10-year-old Mayowa is spending the summer in London with Grandpa Edward when she learns about a secret family gift: the ability to literally jump on books, harness the emotions within them, and channel them into people. As she hones her skills, she keeps the training secret from newcomer Hamza, a boy Mayowa's age who, having fled his war-torn home, Wahatan, lives on Grandpa Edward's estate. Initially believing that no one outside her family can book-jump, Mayowa is shocked to realize that David Hayward, a bigoted member of Parliament, has been channeling emotions, seeking to persuade constituents to vote for a bill that will criminalize the rescue of refugees in the U.K. Spurred by her affection for new friend Hamza, Mayowa, with help from Grandpa Edward, must use her own powers to stop Hayward. Textured grayscale illustrations by Zorite (My Caribou Migration Journey) depict magical happenings in this lofty story about the power of books to inspire positive change. Comical footnotes further enrich this winsome trilogy launch. Ages 8--12. Author's agent: Duvall Osteen, United Talent Agency. (Jan.)

A London girl gains deeper knowledge of the power of words and her family's mysterious legacy. Mayowa Howard, whose mother is Nigerian and father is white and English, first tried jumping on a book when she was 8, but she only succeeded in tearing the cover. She'd seen Grandpa Edward book jumping when he visited, and she wanted to try it, too. Her math teacher father considered this a "harmless family tradition" (but frustratingly wouldn't say more); her mother, a blind jazz pianist, forbade the activity, worried that Mayowa might damage another book and get in trouble. Now 10, Mayowa goes to stay with Grandpa Edward at the grand (if dilapidated) Edgerley Hall over summer break, where she finally gets some real answers. Grandpa Edward explains that "every time you read a book and feel something, that feeling returns to the book." Some people in their family--logosalters, like Mayowa--can release these stored emotions by jumping on the books. When Mayowa gets to know Hamza, a local refugee boy, and learns about an upcoming parliamentary vote on a bill to do with refugees and asylum seekers that's attracting xenophobic rhetoric, she springs into action with help from Grandpa Edward. Onuzo's young readers' debut incorporates humor (including funny footnotes) into a story that cleverly explores the ways that literature promotes empathy. Zorite's lively black-and-white illustrations add to the charm. An imaginative series opener that will warm readers' hearts.(Adventure. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.