4. Akata Witch

Nnedi Okorafor. 2011.

If you are looking for a YA or younger alternative to the Harry Potter series written by transphobic author, then this is probably a pretty good option.  Set in Nigeria, it is a typical coming of age story set up so that kids who don't know there is witchcraft and magic might believe that this is because they just aren't old enough yet to know, there is a clear focus on friendship and on the young teens saving the world from the evil of people who have lost their way because of greed and the love of power.  It is a little darker than HP earlier, maybe bringing the tone of books 6 & 7 into book 1.  It is the beginning of the series, which is evident fairly early as it set sup levels of education the group has to move through over time.  I only read the first book and I understand from others that this is a series that builds and gets better.  I wasn't hooked enough to immediately want to start the next book in the series, though, which is a sign that I didn't love it since in a good series, I am already downloading the next one before I finish the one I am on.  I can see how some folks love this one, though, and for a younger reader who hasn't read HP, I think it would be well received.  Unfortunately, I found the themes to be predictable and while the setting and details were somewhat unique, the story itself is from a well trodden path.

​Not recommended.

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