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Afia in the Land of Wonders: Book Review

Afia in the Land of Wonders is a middle grade fantasy book written and illustrated by Mia Araujo. It is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and it was published this year, 2025. The story is about Afia, a sixteen-year-old girl who is dissatisfied with her life at home, a place called Dafra. Her mother and the rest of her family expect her to go through her ewende, which is her coming of age ceremony, and continue their crystal selling business. However, she yearns to explore the world, and wants more for her life. So when a young man named Bakame offers her an escape, she takes her chance and finds herself in the magical land of Ijábù. However, after being warned by a ghost boy named Ojike, she quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems, and she must escape this so-called “land of wonders.” The Non-Spoiler Review One thing I like about this book are the illustrations. Most of the images are fully colored and take up a page or two, while others are smaller pencil sketches. All o...
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Earth to Nim

I walk through a grassy meadow where pixies and sprites hide beneath flowers and stones. I find one and follow it all the way to the knothole of an oak tree. The pixie lives with a family of squirrels. One squirrel wearing an apron prepares acorn stew over a warm fire in the fireplace. 

My brother, Jacob, asks me why I’m staring out the window listlessly. By that time, I’m sitting on a tree in the battle of my life fighting goblins and gigantic wolves with bow and arrow in hand. With only three arrows left, I wait anxiously for the king’s army to arrive.

Jacob sighs and says, “Hello? Earth to Nim.”

I pilot a spaceship dodging enemy fire from a large alien armada and jump into hyperspace. I swim to the depths of the sea to visit mermaids. I sit on the bench and have a pleasant talk with Bilbo Baggins. I rise from my chair and volunteer to help Frodo on his journey to Mordor and join the fellowship.

“Can you come back to reality for five minutes?” Jacob asks.

“Nope,” I say.

“Why not?”

“Because in reality, I’m in Wisconsin, but I haven’t a clue where you are. You’ve been missing for months.”

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