- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Graphia; None edition (Feb 27 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0547020287
- ISBN-13: 978-0547020280
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 227 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #553,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7–Zahrah was born with dadalocks–dreadlocks containing living vines. Although she lives in a world in which nature provides everything (even computers grow from seeds), being dada is cause for scorn. Then she discovers that it also means that she can call the wind and fly. She and her friend Dari enter the Forbidden Greeny Jungle that borders their kingdom to explore her powers, but when he is bitten by a poisonous snake, Zahrah must set off alone in search of an elgort egg to save him. Her adventures are full of encounters with talking animals and peril; unfortunately, the excitement is dulled because readers know that everything will be fine from the start. References to Alice in Wonderearth abound (to Zahrah, Earth is a legend), and some of her journey (particularly advice received from a pink frog reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat) seems like an attempt to create an Africa-infused Alice tale. There are also nods to Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (S & S, 1981) that are unlikely to resonate with the intended audience. The world-building is interesting, and Zahrah's journey to self-acceptance is obvious but satisfying; the important theme of exploring, rather than fearing, the unknown is heavy-handed. Because there is little African science fiction written for young readers, comparisons with Nancy Farmer's The Ear, the Eye and the Arm (Scholastic, 1994) are inevitable, but this story lacks much of the complexity of Farmer's work.–Karyn N. Silverman, Elizabeth Irwin High School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. First-time novelist Okorafor-Mbachu braids elements of African tribal culture and speculative fantasy into a sprawling novel, in which one discerns shades of A Girl Named Disaster (1996), by Nancy Farmer and The People Could Fly (1985), by Virginia Hamilton (to whom this book is dedicated). Zahrah is a "dada girl" who was born with vine-entwined dreadlocks. She is also a rare Windseeker coming to uneasy terms with her ability to fly. When her best friend receives a snakebite, Zahrah must venture deeply into the Forbidden Greeny Jungle for an antidote, emerging from the ordeal "glow[ing] with experience" as well as a new mastery over her unusual gifts. Okorafor-Mbachu's evocative setting will draw experienced fantasy readers with its heady mix of the familiar and the strange (Zahrah's people celebrate yam festivals and cultivate personal computers from "CPU seeds"), but following such wild invention, some readers may be disappointed by the more predictable rhythms of Zahrah's linear, episodic quest adventure. Still, this is a welcome addition to a genre sorely in need of more heroes and heroines of color. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweeps you away and puts a smile on your face,
By
This review is from: Zahrah the Windseeker (Paperback)
[Cross-posted to LibraryThing]I was in the mood for something different and this YA fantasy was right up my alley. It's been a while since I've read any YA (not counting Harry Potter) so I wasn't sure what to expect but I was very pleasantly surprised. The world of the Ooni Kingdom is interesting, so similar and yet so different from our own (for example, everything is plant based - even computers grow from CPU seeds!). The Forbidden Greeny Jungle is beautifully described; I could picture the lush, green surroundings each time I opened the book. I think the book contains a lot of relevant themes for younger readers: learning to face yours fears, trusting your own instincts, and exploring the world beyond your own backyard rather than being willfully ignorant. There is a strong, smart female lead, which is also great. The messages are a bit heavy handed at times but that may not be so obvious to younger readers. The style is very conversational, Zahrah as the narrator is intelligent and funny. Overall: a quick, enjoyable read that will sweep you away and put a smile on your face.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.9 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews) 13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful read,
By Jack Faust - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Zahrah the Windseeker (Hardcover)
A real rarity, this book has a brain, a heart, and a soul. What I mean is this: it's intelegent without being boring, emotional without being sappy, and moral without being preachy.If that weren't enough, it's also got a strong, smart female main character, which is a pleasant surprise in YA fantasy. The world that Zarah explores is unique and exciting. It reminded me of the books I enjoyed back when I was still a kid. Best of all, I enjoyed reading it, even though I am, technically, an adult these days. 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
(RAW Rating: 4.5) -- In Due Time,
By The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Zahrah the Windseeker (Hardcover)
Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu's book ZAHRAH THE WINDSEEKER introduces readers to the Ooni Kingdom and one of its residents, a young girl named Zahrah who becomes famous. Zahrah is a unique girl, she was born "dada." People who are dada have hair known as dada locks, which are similar to dreadlocks with vines that attach themselves to the locks and grow along with the hair. Zahrah considers her hair a curse, but, because it grows that way, there isn't much, aside from cutting them off, that she can do about it. People who are dada are also known to have special gifts; Zahrah's gift is that she is a Windseeker but she doesn't initially embrace or develop the gift. She is teased in school because she is dada, and her only real friend is a boy named Dari. Dari and Zahrah are always involved in one drama or another, but in an effort to help Zahrah cultivate her gift as a Windseeker, the two friends decide to go into the Forbidden Greeny Jungle, which of course they were not allowed to do. Their visits to the jungle eventually result in a tragedy that only Zahrah can fix, but she must find strength and courage in order to do so.ZAHRAH THE WINDSEEKER is a wonderful book that teaches important lessons by example rather than explicitly. The plot is fast moving, unpredictable and engrossing. I love the way Zahrah transforms over the course of the story. In the beginning she was somewhat shy, afraid to take risks or stand up for herself, crippled by fear, and ashamed of the fact that she is dada. The journeys into the Forbidden Greeny Jungle change her; she learns to trust herself, appreciate her strengths, and most importantly she learns to have courage. Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu has a fluid writing style that is filled with rich descriptions and vivid details. Her words brought the scenes to life and made it easy to visualize the events as they took place. I enjoyed the prominent role nature played in the book; from the dada locks (vines and all), to talking animals and buildings made entirely of plants. ZAHRAH THE WINDSEEKER is a unique book that young readers will enjoy, relate to, and be inspired by and I highly recommend it. Reviewed by Stacey Seay of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers 12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
African fantasy- Cool!,
By Ned D. Okra IV - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Zahrah the Windseeker (Hardcover)
I flew through this novel in two days! I've never read a fantasy book like this. I think the author is African and she (I think) created this fantastical world using African cultures and folklore. I've read Virginia Hamilton's "The People Could Fly," maybe she got some of the myth from that. But I also noticed elements from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (it has a similar kind of humor) and Harry Potter. This is definitely something new and I really enjoyed it! I especially loved all the crazy creatures, the realistic characters and the plant technology. It read smooth and fast. I'm glad I found this book. Very unique.
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