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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...

Frivolous Things

I poked my head out of my bedroom door and listened. 

My parents snored in their bedroom. 

I shut my door and plucked my pillow off my bed.

Mom and Dad took my money for “safekeeping,” saying I had to save it. They wouldn’t allow me to waste it on “frivolous things.” But you always buy new shoes, clothes, or watches you don’t even use, I want to say. But I know better. 

I reached my hand into the pillow’s pillowcase, and pulled out my secret stash of cash. When I get a chance, I’ll send my money to charity.

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