Nigeria Jones

Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner!

“An unwavering proclamation of Black girlhood.” —Candice Iloh, author of National Book Award finalist Every Body Looking

From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and coauthor of Punching the Air, comes a bold new YA coming-of-age story that explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics. The ideal next read for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jacqueline Woodson, and Roxane Gay.

Warrior Princess. That’s what Nigeria Jones’s father calls her. He has raised her as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. Nigeria is homeschooled and vegan and participates in traditional rituals to connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother—the perfect matriarch of their Movement—disappears, Nigeria’s world is upended. She finds herself taking care of her baby brother and stepping into a role she doesn’t want.

Nigeria’s mother had secrets. She wished for a different life for her children, which includes sending her daughter to a private Quaker school outside of their strict group. Despite her father’s disapproval, Nigeria attends the school with her cousin, Kamau, and Sage, who used to be a friend. ­There, she begins to flourish and expand her universe.

As Nigeria searches for her mother, she starts to uncover a shocking truth. One that will lead her to question everything she thought she knew about her life and her family.

From award-winning author Ibi Zoboi comes a powerful story about discovering who you are in the world—and fighting for that person—by having the courage to be your own revolution.

But what happens when your entire world is a revolution—and you’re not sure you believe in the cause?

• Identity and Self-Discovery: Raised as a “warrior princess” in a Black nationalist movement, Nigeria Jones must question everything she’s ever known to find out who she truly is.
• Family Secrets: When her mother vanishes, Nigeria uncovers a web of secrets that challenges her perception of her family and their fight for liberation.
• An Activist Family: Torn between the strict separatism of her father’s Movement and the new possibilities of a Quaker school, Nigeria is caught in a conflict that will define her future.
• Finding Your Voice: A powerful and moving story for teens about race, feminism, and forging your own path, even if it means standing against the people you love.