Mia Araujo does a fantastic job in reimagining Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, it was everything that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening. The characters were everything that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall feel of this. I was invested in what was going on and enjoyed the concept and enjoyed how good everything worked in this genre.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review. I thought that the concept for this book was interesting, but it ultimately felt flat to me. I also wished that the main character wasn't 15 years old. The ending was also suspect where she seemed okay with not seeing her family for many years. The drawings were spectacular though!

Thanks to Netgalley and Scholastic for this ARC.

What drew me to request Afia in the Land of Wonders was the cover art itself. I am always drawn to books depicting POC as I feel it is important to show characters of different backgrounds for other potential readers to find themselves in them. Mia Araujo's opening remarks before the start of the book also brought up a fair idea: why are most western childhood stories focused specifically on the white, western perspective? Granted, times have changed and there is more access to fairytales and folktales from around the world due to the advent of the internet and modern age, but this is an idea I have been reflecting on more and more as I reach for new books in the store.

Afia in the Land of Wonders sets out to be a reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, but with a focus on West Africa. Araujo draws inspiration from multiple cultures, but does not appear to commit to one particular tribe or region for the focus of the book which does bother me a little. The illustrations are lovely, but could do more with research into the textile designs often employed in West Africa rather than making them feel a little generic. As an ARC, however, most of the illustrations were rough sketches and had yet to be finalized and I wanted to see more of the complete work in the gorgeous colors to bring more of the story to life.

Overall, I felt Afia in the Land of Wonders was an easy, breezy read and I only have one minor gripe: the main character feels too young to be 16 and it made a lot of her actions feel disconnected from her current level of maturity. Her actions did not match a teenager and felt more like it belonged to a tween. Middlegrade was an appropriate category based on the reading level, but I would argue for the main character to be aged down to match the curiosity and lack of awareness of how their actions affect others. The side characters had compelling arcs that due to the nature of the book, could not be explored much but I still appreciated.

Finally, it does sit a little weird with me how at the end of the story I discovered Araujo is Argentinian and writing a book inspired by West Africa. Considering how Argentina is one of the most white countries in the west, due to the history of the country, it's a choice to put it lightly.

Afia has always felt like half of a whole. Her twin sister, Aya, is perfectly happy with fulfilling their family's expectations of them. But Afia dreams of exploring the world beyond her secluded cliffside home of Dafra. She dreams of adventure.

When she meets a charming shape-shifter named Bakame, who dazzles her with promises of a magical land called Ijabu, Afia decides to take her destiny into her own hands. Although it will mean leaving everything she has ever known behind, including her beloved sister, Afia follows Bakame into the forbidden forests surrounding Dafra, from which no one has ever returned.

Filled with magical sights, a charismatic Queen and her intriguing court, Ijabu is everything that Afia has ever dreamed of. But she soon discovers that nothing is as it seems, and this fantasy world demands a terrible price. With the help of a mysterious trickster, Afia must evade the Queen's hunters and the lost dreamers of Ijabu, who wish to pull her deeper into their web.

Now, Afia must find the courage to survive while standing on her own--or risking losing herself completely to the wonders of Ijabu.

Debut author-illustrator Mia Araujo weaves an extraordinarily luminous and beautiful story, inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, about what it takes to find your true self, even if it means facing your deepest fears.

Argentian-American artist and author Araujo borrows from African mythology to create a new take on Alice in Wonderland. The art is stunning and reminds me very much of Beyonce's "The Gift" visual album. The story is immersive and pulls the reader in on an adventure that I believe younger readers will enjoy. I recommend this book to partner with Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures on Wonderland.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The characters in this enchanting narrative each possess distinct personalities, talents, and intricate backstories that contribute to the richness of the tale. While every character holds a unique story waiting to be told, only a select few find the opportunity to share their experiences within this mesmerizing wonderland. Among them, sisters Aya and Afia share a profound and powerful bond that resonates deeply with twins and siblings alike, illustrating the complexities and joys of familial relationships. Afia, in particular, emerges as a remarkable main character—she is strong, brave, curious, and filled with love, yet her flaws and vulnerabilities render her relatable and authentic. This blend of strengths and weaknesses allows readers to see themselves in her, fostering a connection that enhances the overall experience of the story.

In addition to the central characters, the supporting cast—including the enigmatic Queen, her courtly advisors, and the intriguing masked boy whom Afia encounters in the queen's garden—enriches the narrative, transforming it into an imaginative, wondrous, and immersive experience for readers. Each supporting character brings their own flavor to the tale, adding depth and complexity to the world that Afia navigates. The atmosphere is undeniably fantastical, creating an ambiance that makes readers feel as if they have stepped into a wonderland brimming with spirits, magic, and hidden wonders waiting to be discovered.

The writing throughout the book is a masterful blend of descriptive, realistic, whimsical, and emotional prose. This style not only draws readers into the characters' lives but also allows them to forge a connection with the emotions and experiences depicted. As the plot unfolds, it becomes increasingly intriguing and relatable, exploring the universal desire to forge one's own path in life, often in the face of external expectations and pressures. This theme resonates deeply, beautifully narrating a story of family bonds that remain unbreakable despite the challenges faced.

The vibrant illustrations by Mia Araujo serve as a stunning complement to the text, capturing not only the magic and wonder of the story but also its underlying emotions and themes. Inspired by Araujo's love for Lewis Carroll's timeless classic, Alice in Wonderland, the book weaves in elements from this beloved tale while infusing Araujo's unique twist and personal touches. This creative approach results in a distinctive fantasy that delves into the various wonderlands present in children's and middle-grade literature, offering a fresh perspective that feels both familiar and new.

Mia Araujo's Afia in the Land of Wonders stands out as a middle-grade fantasy that pays homage to a cherished children's classic, featuring vibrant and emotionally resonant illustrations that enhance the storytelling experience. The themes of self-identity, the quest for personal fulfillment, and the unbreakable strength and love of sibling relationships—especially the unique bond shared between twins—are woven throughout the narrative. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys novels inspired by classics such as Alice in Wonderland, as it offers beautiful illustrations that bring the story to life, all while exploring central themes of family connection and the journey of self-discovery. This enchanting tale promises to captivate readers of all ages, inviting them to lose themselves in a world where imagination knows no bounds.

Thank you to Netgalley, Scholastic, and Mia Araujo for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Afia in the Land of Wonders is a great re-telling of Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed how different this story was and the dark mythology included in it. This book also includes gorgeous illustrations throughout, that will make it greatly appealing to the kiddos.

Thanks to NetGalley, Scholastic, Mia Araujo for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own

Beautiful and original retelling of Alice in Wonderland set in a fantasy Africa-like universe. Some of the illustrations are available in this ARC, but most are rough sketches. Based on the finished ones, this is going to be a simply GORGEOUS final product.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It started out strong, with a mysterious stranger and tension as we wonder if Afia will choose to leave her home and her sister. I enjoyed the oddities and parallels to Alice in Wonderland--Araujo did an excellent job with her descriptions. I do wish, however, that Afia had more self-awareness or depth to her. It felt like as the story went on, she was just going in circles without really thinking things through, which became increasingly tedious to read. I would not recommend this book to teen or adult readers but, I think elementary aged students would enjoy it.