What a wonderful book! Hair is such a big issue in our world - what is acceptable and what isn't. This book is about acceptance. and accepting who you are. Onyeka is a superhero in a secret superhero school. She. learns to accept herself and her hair. This was hard to put down. I'd recommend it for school age kids - especially those having trouble adapting and accepting themselves.

Onyeka has a lot of hair – the kind that makes strangers stop in the street. She’s always felt uncomfortable with her flamboyant curls, until she makes an important discovery: she can control her hair with her mind!

Her mother quickly whisks her off to the Academy of the Sun, a school in Nigeria where Solari – children with special powers – are trained. But Onyeka and her new friends at the Academy soon have to put their powers to the test as they find themselves embroiled in a momentous battle between truth and lies . . .- Goodreads

It is interesting how this book is being compared to Black Panther meets Percy Jackson when all I could think of was Harry Potter. The similarities are too obvious. Not that it is a problem. This was a good read and a good introduction to what I hope at least a 3 book series.

There is a lot a world building and character building within this novel. It really isn't until about chapter 14/15 that you are established in this world and things begin to happen. I wouldn't necessarily call it a slow build but, y'all please remember this is a children's (middle grade) book. But the world... I saw it so clearly. The technology was well explained and the powers were detailed and not overly complex. The same could be say for the terms. Some science fiction novels use terms that jumble together and get lost in everything else. I can't say that with this read.

I enjoyed this read. Onyeka is a girl who knows nothing about her IKE, her family, how to socialize etc. This was partly a coming of age story but with special powers. I appreciate the fact that she grew up and we were able to watch that. Her growth made sense; it wasn't rushed nor did she become entitled once she knew more about herself.

Overall, I think this is a really good start to a series, to a very powerful series. The representation is good, the world building is great and I loved the pace of the novel.

Overall,

4 Pickles

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for an eARC of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun in exchange for an honest review.

This book is pitched as Black Panther meets X-Men and you 100% get those vibes! It reads like you’re watching the latest superhero movie. The next level tech and incredible mutant abilities highlighted throughout the novel will keep readers coming back for more.

It was such a unique and daring choice by Okogwu to have Onyeka’s power be derived from her hair. It was beautiful to witness Onyeka’s transformation in her feelings regarding her hair. She went from hating it and thinking it needed to be fixed/contained to loving it and relishing the strength it provided her.

There is something magical that occurs when Black girls and women embrace the way their hair grows naturally from their head. We live in a society where Black hair is simultaneously fetishized by non black people and policed in certain spaces such as work and school. Black hair has historically been condemned because it doesn’t conform to Eurocentric beauty standards.

Two important themes that stuck out to while reading centered around self love and the concept of found family.

1. Self Love
Throughout the novel, Onyeka is on a journey of self discovery. She learns to value and celebrate her Nigerian roots and embrace her hair which is essential to understanding her powers.

“I don’t fit in here either, but it’s not always a bad thing” she replies with a grin. “Besides, it’s not as if you can change who you are, so you might as well own it.”

2. Found Family
In London, Onyeka only has 1 friend and her mother. While at AOS, she gains a group of friends and a relative she didn’t know existed. She learns that family isn’t just who you come from. Sometimes it’s the people you surround yourself with.

“All this time, I thought the only way I would get to have the family I’ve wanted for so long was to bring my parents back together. But I’m surrounded by people who love me exactly as I am. That’s what really matters. That’s what family is.”

Onyeka’s story is about family, friendship, identity and self discovery. So many Black kids are going to see themselves in this story which is truly heartwarming. Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is the beginning of what is sure to be a successful new middle grade fantasy series!

This was phenomenal! I wish I had a book like this when I was in middle grade. I see why this is getting adapted as a film and I think its going to be a big hit with all ages! As a Nigerian, I absolutely loved the representation of Nigerian culture from the food references throughout the book and the use of pidgin. The fantastical aspects of the story and the use of natural hair being a form of power was much appreciated. I will definitely be sharing more about this book on my social media platforms! I cannot wait to read what this author writes next.