Publishers Weekly
05/27/2024
A Nigerian teen struggles to acclimate to life in America in this endearing character-focused novel. Following her father’s death, 17-year-old Enore Adesuwa, her mother, and her younger sister emigrate from Nigeria to Hudson Valley. Hoping to avoid feeling like a fish out of water and teach herself how to navigate American high school, Enora watches classic teen movies given to her by her cousin. Using what she learns from movies such as Sixteen Candles and Mean Girls, Enore establishes a list of rules she’s certain will ensure her survival. Yet she promptly breaks rule #1 (“Avoid interacting with or befriending anyone who is popular”) when she meets football player Davi Santiago, a Brazilian American classmate with whom she bonds over their cultural differences and similarities. When Davi persuades Enore to audition for the school’s upcoming production of “Cinderella,” she agrees. Things get complicated after she aces her audition and lands the lead role, an accomplishment she must hide from her mother, who wants Enore to focus on academics. Focusing on both the joy and grief associated with drastic change, Igharo employs lush prose that eschews didacticism and deftly balances high school romance, cultural traditions, and the importance of representation in this confident debut. Ages 14–up. (June)
From the Publisher
"In her YA debut, Igharo has crafted a lively novel that cleverly balances the portrayals of a family coping with grief and the whirlwind of high school experiences. Enore is well drawn, believable, and easy to cheer for, and her developing relationship with Davi is touching. Warm, well rounded, and a perfect combination of entertaining and substantive." —Kirkus, starred review
"With Love, Miss Americanah is the next coming-of-age hit, perfect for fans of Jenny Han. . . Through new relationships, pursuing new opportunities, and taking a stance on what’s important, Enore finds her voice in more ways than one." —Booklist, starred review
"Focusing on both the joy and grief associated with drastic change, Igharo employs lush prose that eschews didacticism and deftly balances high school romance, cultural traditions, and the importance of representation in this confident debut." —Publishers Weekly
"This book is a hug. It leaves you warmed, nourished, and blissfully content. Enore is such a compelling and relatable protagonist, caught between parental expectations and her own dreams. And there's swoony Davi! What a joy! Read this now!" —Jenn Bennett, author of Alex, Approximately
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2024-04-05
A Nigerian teen moves to the U.S. with her family and embarks on an unusual plan for navigating senior year.
Enore Adesuwa has decided that the best way to manage in her new high school in New York’s Hudson Valley is to study the movies recommended by Adrian, her American cousin. Unlike Esosa, her younger sister who jumps right into things, Enore always needs a plan. She’s also still processing the loss of her beloved father, and it doesn’t take long before she realizes that, despite the 10 rules she’s made for getting along (among them, avoid popular people, control your heart, don’t make enemies, and don’t drink the punch at school dances), unexpected events and circumstances will get in the way. First, there’s attention from popular and attractive Davi Santiago. He encourages Enore to audition for the school musical, which leads to her lying to her academically focused mother, who believes she’s joined math club. Enore finds herself on a collision course between her mother’s expectations and what brings her joy. In her YA debut, Igharo has crafted a lively novel that cleverly balances the portrayals of a family coping with grief and the whirlwind of high school experiences. Enore is well drawn, believable, and easy to cheer for, and her developing relationship with Davi is touching. Secondary characters and rich cultural elements add color and texture to the narrative.
Warm, well rounded, and a perfect combination of entertaining and substantive. (Fiction. 14-18)