Nigeria Jones
on Goodreads (1,358)
What’s inside...
Warrior Princess. That’s what Nigeria’s father calls her. He’s raised her as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. Nigeria is homeschooled and vegan and participates in traditional rituals that connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother—the perfect matriarch to 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 slowly begins to blossom 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 searing, powerful coming-of-age story about discovering who you are in the world—and fighting for that person—by having the courage to remix the founding tenets of your life to be your own revolution.
Age
13-17
Length
384 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Nigeria Jones
Kojo Sankofa Freedman
Discussion points
How do you think Nigeria Jones felt during her adventure?
What would you do if you were in Nigeria's shoes when she faced a challenge?
What does Nigeria’s journey teach us about courage and friendship?
How can we apply Nigeria's problem-solving skills in our daily life?
What was your favorite part of the book, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set up a cozy reading environment and let your child lead the discussion, using the open-ended questions to guide the conversation.
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences to Nigeria's adventures, helping them connect personally with the story.
Discuss the moral and lessons from the book, reinforcing these values in real-life scenarios.
Use props or drawings related to the story to make the discussion more interactive and fun.
Highlight the positive aspects of Nigeria’s character, and ask your child how they might aspire to similar traits.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: The book visually and narratively portrays a range of cultures and backgrounds, showcasing the beauty of a diverse world.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect people from different backgrounds, fostering inclusivity in their daily interactions at school and beyond.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the story collaborate to solve problems, demonstrating the power of working together.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value cooperative play and teamwork in group activities or classroom projects.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The protagonist faces challenges but uses creative thinking and determination to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to persevere through their own challenges, whether in learning new skills or dealing with personal setbacks.
Example Lesson: Value of Curiosity
Explanation: The story encourages asking questions and exploring the unknown, highlighting the importance of learning and discovery.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to engage in exploratory play and inquiry-based learning, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: Joy of Reading
Explanation: The narrative demonstrates how reading opens doors to new worlds and adventures, sparking imagination.
Real-World Application: Promotes reading as a fun and enriching activity, encouraging children to explore books independently.