This was a fun book that I think any middle grade fantasy lover would enjoy. The main character Kwame was very likable and engaging. I also enjoyed the storyline about his best friend, Autumn,who has a hearing impairment and that they used ASL throughout the story. I think it’s important to show kids that even if you have personal challenges, you can accomplish great things. I will recommend this book for my middle school library. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

I received an advanced reader copy through Publishers Weekly's grab a galley event, and I am so glad I did. This one was a fun, fast-paced read, with a wonderful character voice and inspiring world building. I really enjoyed following Kwame on his journey, both through the Underworld and through his own emotions and grief, finding beauty and determination in loss.

An engaging fantasy story for middle grade readers. I enjoyed the emersion into Ghanaian mythology and culture. It's also a great book for kids regarding grief and what happens when a loved one dies. Great story! I will recommend this book for purchase at my library.

Kwame is a 12 year old kid who loves video games, pizza, and spending time with his best friend Autumn. His parents are both high-achieving and expect excellence and consider suppressing emotions a big aspect of that.

When Kwame’s grandmother passes away, he finds himself struggling to cope with both the grief and his parents' expectations of controlling his emotions. The night before he leaves for his grandmother’s celebration of life, he finds himself chasing a mythical monkey into the Ghanaian underworld in an effort to hold onto the last piece he has left of his grandmother.

This book has heart, lots of humor, and is a fresh submission to the sub-genre of middle grade mythology books. I especially liked listening to the audiobook, as the pronunciations and voices were great to help me further envision the story,

Fun MG adventure novel set in the world of Ghanaian myth, particularly those myths associated with the creation of the world and the afterlife. It is somewhat in the vein of Percy Jackson, although with a very explicit environmental ethos. The two main characters are diverse and engaging. I'd love to see a future story that focuses on Kwame's best friend and fellow adventurer, Autumn, in the future as well. There's also really great content about the nature of grief as well, including the associated depression which isn't always addressed well in books for young people (but is addressed very well here)

This is a book that will appeal to the same readers who like the Tristan Strong series. The problem is I'm not one of those readers. I do like the way it brings in Ghanian culture as well as issues related to the ethnic identity of Kwame who feels more American than Ghanian. There are a lot of epic battles - which definitely appeals to some middle grade readers even if I skimmed over them. There were also some rather didactic speeches from characters who Kwame meets who are trying to help him deal with both his grief at his grandmother's death as well as figuring out how to embrace his roots. I think my biggest problem is I feel like I've read too many books like it recently. This one is good but didn't stand out for me. That being said, I definitely know readers I'll recommend it to.

I really liked this debut novel for middle grade readers! This genre of action adventure stories based on the mythologies of different cultures (characterized by Rick Riordan) are a fantastic way to introduce kids to different cultural heritages in an exciting and engaging way.
I particularly liked that the MC's best friend is hard of hearing and signs, and that the MC learned to sign to be a best friend. That narrative throughout the book of the challenges for kids with differences was handled very sensitively and realistically. Bravo to the author for that!
The author also handled the issue of grief for a grandparent in a sensitive and beautiful way as well. This reminded me of the Tristan Strong series and I would highly recommend this to middle grade (and older!) readers who enjoy adventure stories!