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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...

Searching Then Daydreaming

Searching for one’s tribe

Is not easy.

Especially if you’re faint hearted

And meeting fellow humans makes you queasy.


The motive for searching for a tribe

Is to satisfy my yearn for connection.

However, I postpone my search for company

In fear of ridicule and rejection.


What if I embarrass myself?

What if they don't care

About my attempts to connect?

Do I even dare?


And then there’s the matter

Of social awkwardness.

What should I say? What should I do?

My, my, I feel like a mess!


Exhausted by these worries, 

I give in to my reclusive side

And focus on more important tasks

Like daydreaming about mermaids dancing at high tide.

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