Mayowa and the Sea of Words
By Author / Illustrator
Chibundu Onuzo
Genre
Magical Realism
Age range(s)
9+
Publisher
Bloomsbury Children's Books
ISBN
9781526660992
Format
Hardback
Published
20-06-2024
Synopsis
The first title in a dazzlingly imaginative adventure trilogy about one girl's power to change the world through the magic of book-jumping. Perfect for fans of Pages & Co. Amari and the Night Brothers and The Book of Stolen Dreams.
WARNING: DO NOT JUMP ON THIS BOOK! Have you ever jumped on a book? Perhaps not. Most people would think it was a rather unusual thing to do. Ten-year-old Mayowa has always thought that her Grandpa Edward, who dyes his beard emerald green and jumps on books in private, is rather unusual too. Until one day she jumps on a book for herself, and uncovers a huge family secret ... Mayowa can book jump.
By jumping on a book, she can harness the emotions inside it and channel them directly into other people. And when the opportunity to use her power to save the lives of countless refugees presents itself, Mayowa wants to jump in with both feet. But Mayowa and her grandpa aren't the only book jumpers in existence. And not everybody wants to use this power for good...
Brimming with heart, Mayowa and the Sea of Words is a modern classic in the making. Perfect for everyone who knows the true power of a good book... Find out more in our Q&A with Chibundu Onuzo!
Reviews
Beverley
When 10-year-old Mayowa Howard goes to stay with her Grandpa Edward for the summer, she discovers that he is a 'logosalter' - he can jump onto a book, harness the emotions contained within the words of the story, and channel them into the world. Mayowa has also inherited this skill, and, although girls are not usually allowed to be logosalters, she insists that her grandfather teaches her how to use her gift. When she realises that there are others who have the same powers - and are not using them for good - she finds herself involved in a struggle with dark forces.
Mayowa and the Sea of Words is a cleverly written novel with many messages. Elements of fantasy are combined with more topical issues such as refugees and racism. The author also includes many quotations from a wide range of novels, which could encourage wider reading.
Mayowa herself is a strong and fearless heroine, determined to take on the establishment and prevent the passing of anti-refugee legislation. She befriends Hamza, a refugee from a war-torn country, and his mother, whose story makes her even more determined to do the right thing.
The main themes of the book are morality, friendship and bravery. It would be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good adventure story; the action builds throughout the book to a thrilling climax. In the classroom, teachers could use this book as a class reader alongside topics about refugees and the impact they have had on the UK - the storyline lends itself easily to discussion. The author also gives a brief outline as to how laws are made and passed, which could also be expanded upon within the classroom.
I felt that at is heart this is a story about the power of words, and how they can affect people's perception of a situation. It is a thought-provoking novel, cleverly combining entertainment with reality. The first novel in a planned trilogy, I look forward to reading more about Mayowa and her book jumping adventures.
288 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian
Suggested Reading Age 9+