Aluta - Hardcover

Badoe, Adwoa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554988160 ISBN 13: 9781554988167

Publisher: Groundwood Books, 2016

Synopsis

For eighteen-year-old Charlotte, university life is better than she’d ever dreamed — a sophisticated and generous roommate, the camaraderie of dorm living, parties, clubs and boyfriends. Most of all, Charlotte is exposed to new ideas, and in 1981 Ghana, this may be the most exciting – and most dangerous — adventure of all.

At first Charlotte basks in her wonderful new freedom, especially being out of the watchful eye of her controlling and opinionated father. She suddenly finds herself with no shortage of male attention, including her charismatic political science professor, fellow student activist Banahene, and Asare, a wealthy oil broker who invites Charlotte to travel with him and showers her with expensive gifts, including a coveted passport.
But Ghana is fraught with a history of conflict. And in the middle of her freshman year, the government is overthrown, and three judges are abducted and murdered. As political forces try to mobilize students to advance their own agendas, Charlotte is drawn into the world of student politics. She’s good at it, she’s impassioned, and she’s in love with Banahene. “The struggle continues! Aluta! Aluta continua!” she shouts, rallying the crowd with the slogan of the oppressed. But her love of the spotlight puts her in the public eye. And when Asare entrusts her with a mysterious package of documents, she suddenly realizes she may be in real danger.

But it’s too late. As she is on her way to a meeting, Charlotte is picked up by national security, and her worst nightmares come true. And in the end, she must make a difficult and complicated decision about whether to leave her education, and her beloved Ghana, behind.

A heartfelt story told with uncompromising honesty, about what happens when youthful idealism meets the harsh realities of power.
A heartfelt story told with uncompromising honesty, about what happens when youthful idealism meets the harsh realities of power.

About this title

About the Author

Adwoa Badoe is a Ghanaian-born physician, storyteller, educator, writer and African dance instructor. She is the author of the novel Between Sisters, as well as several picture books, including The Pot of Wisdom, illustrated by Baba Wagué Diakité and Nana’s Cold Days, illustrated by Bushra Junaid.

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—Set in 1981 Ghana, this tale centers on 18-year-old Charlotte Adom, who is enjoying her newfound freedom as a political science student in the Kumasi region. Her strict and opinionated father wants her to focus on university by getting good grades, but she is preoccupied with having fun. Charlotte befriends a sophisticated roommate, Mary, and becomes a social butterfly at parties and clubs where R&B, pop, and jazz dominate. Charlotte quickly attracts the attention of three males: political science professor Dr. Ampem, student activist and Mary's cousin Banahene, and wealthy petroleum oil broker Asare. Her carefree freshman days come to an end when Jerry John Rawlings overthrows the government with a coup on New Year's Eve. Charlotte and other students are forced to transport the cocoa harvest to various parts of Ghana when the universities are closed down. Her life goes downhill after she receives a package of documents and money from Asare. The brilliant storytelling resonates with its vibrant cultural landscape. Music fans will welcome Badoe's incorporation of the different genres into the book's world-building. The author has created believable characters who represent various aspects of Ghanaian life and culture. There are also moments of romance within the chaos as Charlotte and Banahene fall in love. The fast-paced novel neither shies from nor neutralizes the atrocities and human rights abuses associated with coups, yet it is written appropriately for YA readers. VERDICT Teens will appreciate the storytelling, honesty, and feminism presented in this work in addition to the inside view of Ghana's history, culture, and society during that tumultuous time.—Donald Peebles, Brooklyn Public Library

About this edition

• Publisher: Groundwood Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1554988160
• ISBN 13: 9781554988167
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 216