Overview

1807: KWAME, KWAKU, AND BAAKO live in the most powerful kingdom in West Africa. Kwame is the son of a chief. Kwaku is the likely successor to the chief. Baako is a slave earning his freedom. The boys are good friends who work together daily. Guided by their families, elders, ceremonies, and stories, Kwame, Kwaku, and Baako strive to become leaders in the Akan culture. In the capital city to see the king, the Golden Stool, and the Odwira festival, the boys meet foreign people, learn about writing and books, and witness the sale of slaves. Kwaku cares for a leopard cub that the king wants returned to the forest. On a mission to the coast, Kwame and Baako are kidnapped and threatened with sale to the slave trade. The Asante Kingdom faces rebellion and the decline of its role in the Atlantic slave trade. Change will come. Kwame, Kwaku, and Baako balance the life they know with new possibilities for their future.

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9781643888897

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Reviews

"""An excellent depiction of a famous African society adjusting to major pressures...Engrossing, well-paced, gripping adventures of three boys...Readers will appreciate pleasing illustrations, useful maps, and an exceptionally helpful glossary..."" - Claude E. Welch, Jr., Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY ""An immersive and thoughtful historical novel that explores West Africa in 1807."" - Kirkus Reviews ""This richly historical African adventure will entertain and inform young readers and their parents."" - BookLife Reviews ""...a story that explores African basic values of bravery, family, friendship, love, and community."" - Grace Masso for Readers' Favorite, 5 stars Winner of the 2021 Award for the Best Children's Book about a Peace Corps Country - Peace Corps Worldwide ""In sum, this is a captivating, well-written, and informative book about an important period and people in West African history. Readers will enjoy learning about the rich culture and traditions of the Akan people wrapped in a tale of adventure. ...useful for classroom instruction."" - Charlotte Kukundakwe for Africa Access Review, Center for African Studies, Howard University, Washington, D.C. ""You rarely come across books of this caliber in your lifetime. The narrative and the illustrations fit perfectly together and take the reading experience to the next level. Dorothy Brown Soper very smartly divides the story into three parts, which indicates the change in the story and development of the characters. Kwame, Baako, and Kwaku are three very smart and powerful characters. They have an innocence that I am sure will resonate with younger readers, yet they have an air of intelligence as they grow and develop. My favorite out of the three of these characters is Baako. He is resilient, smart, and ready to take chances. Maybe it has to do with his circumstances, but I truly enjoyed his reactions and how he works hard to become better and do better. We Are Akan is a highly recommended book!"" - Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite, 5 Stars - Pre-Teen Finalist, National Indie Excellence Award, 2021"

An excellent depiction of a famous African society adjusting to major pressures...Engrossing, well-paced, gripping adventures of three boys...Readers will appreciate pleasing illustrations, useful maps, and an exceptionally helpful glossary... - Claude E. Welch, Jr., Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY An immersive and thoughtful historical novel that explores West Africa in 1807. - Kirkus Reviews This richly historical African adventure will entertain and inform young readers and their parents. - BookLife Reviews ...a story that explores African basic values of bravery, family, friendship, love, and community. - Grace Masso for Readers' Favorite, 5 stars Winner of the 2021 Award for the Best Children's Book about a Peace Corps Country - Peace Corps Worldwide In sum, this is a captivating, well-written, and informative book about an important period and people in West African history. Readers will enjoy learning about the rich culture and traditions of the Akan people wrapped in a tale of adventure. ...useful for classroom instruction. - Charlotte Kukundakwe for Africa Access Review, Center for African Studies, Howard University, Washington, D.C. You rarely come across books of this caliber in your lifetime. The narrative and the illustrations fit perfectly together and take the reading experience to the next level. Dorothy Brown Soper very smartly divides the story into three parts, which indicates the change in the story and development of the characters. Kwame, Baako, and Kwaku are three very smart and powerful characters. They have an innocence that I am sure will resonate with younger readers, yet they have an air of intelligence as they grow and develop. My favorite out of the three of these characters is Baako. He is resilient, smart, and ready to take chances. Maybe it has to do with his circumstances, but I truly enjoyed his reactions and how he works hard to become better and do better. We Are Akan is a highly recommended book! - Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite, 5 Stars - Pre-Teen Finalist, National Indie Excellence Award, 2021

Author Information

Dorothy Brown Soper worked with Akan students and teachers in Ghana for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching high school French. Returning to the U.S., she earned an MA in African history with plans to introduce Americans to Africa. She has developed and taught many units on African history and culture for elementary classes. We Are Akan is her first novel. Visit her at www.dorothybrownsoper.com. James worked in Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer creating audio-visual materials to train land recipients in cash crop farming. He specializes in illustrations, caricatures, and cartoons.

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