Ada has lived close to the great rainforest for her whole life, helping her beloved Papa Eze to heal fellow villagers when they fall sick. But when Papa Eze himself becomes ill, he knows it's time to reveal to Ada her true heritage - time for her to travel deep into the forest to discover the ancient Edo kingdom of Benin, and to use everything within her power to heal the terrible divisions that are tearing the kingdom apart. Relying on her close friendships, the guidance of her ancestors and her own self-belief, Ada sets off on an incredible journey which tests her strengths to their limit. A fast-paced adventure, this story brings to life one of Africa's most fascinating civilizations, the ancient Edo Kingdom of Benin. This is an immersive adventure story and perfect for any child who enjoys being transported to another world. It fits well with the increasing interest in African fiction and stories that are inclusive, diverse and explore a greater range of cultures, stories and settings. The historical Benin Kingdom is now an option for UK primary teachers at KS2, (ages 7 - 11) and as exciting, accurate historical fiction this is the perfect reader for teachers looking to diversify their history teaching. The book includes a factual section at the end, to help readers widen their knowledge of the ancient Kingdom of Benin and West African culture and traditions. Teachers notes, linked to the text, are also available to download for free from the publishers, Dinosaur Books Ltd.

About the Author
Dinah Orji is a British author of Nigerian heritage. Her family grew up a few miles from the historical Kingdom of Benin (which is in present day Nigeria) and Dinah was inspired to write this novel during her extensive travels to Nigeria. Dinah works in the UK film industry and this is her debut novel.

Reviews
"A riveting historical adventure; this is a fast-paced story of a resourceful and feisty young girl determined to find out where she came from and where she fits into society." -- Books For Keeps children's fiction magazine -- "When reading this book, you become completely absorbed into the culture of the West African people ... because the story is rich and gripping." --The Reading Zone Book Reviews


Awards
Joint winner of Reading Agency Book of the Year 2020 (UK). Short-listed for The Historical Association's Young Quills Award 2021 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781999336332
Author Dinah Orji
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Dinosaur Books Ltd
Publisher Dinosaur Books Ltd