Reviews

"A sensitive and delightful story of tension and reconciliation in a Ghanaian family in London." Professor A N Mensah, Retired Professor of English, University of Ghana "Esi is a teenager living in Ghana. She has been living with her grandmother, auntie and cousin ever since her mother, Maggie, moved to London six years ago. It was long known that one day Esi would join her mother in London but when the plans are finally made, Esi becomes nervous and depressed. The story follows Esi as she moves to a new city, in a new country, with a mother she hardly knows. Looking Up is a breezy read that gives great insight into teenage life, immigrant viewpoints, and multicultural perspectives. Through her migration and adjustment story, we learn more about her family roots and cultural traditions in Ghana. Esi's grandmothers and school friends are critical characters. Some are the source of her challenges while others guide her through tough times. The story covers the topics of bullying, parenting styles, divorce, the role of extended family, and ethnocentrism/racism. For example, Esi is put in lower level classes because of assumptions made of her previous schooling in "Africa." She is mistreated by friends because of the way she talks and who she hangs out with. My favorite part of the story is when Esi befriends a kid with Bangladeshi roots and she makes connections between her Ghanaian culture and his. I also enjoyed the many female characters who are not portrayed as heroines or villains, but complex, nuanced women. This book would foster great discussion among teenagers. Possible questions are:

How do you feel about Esi's father Solomon?
Have you ever experienced a Lisa-type person in your school? How have you managed the relationship?
Esi ultimately ends up spending more time with her friends that are also immigrants or second generation immigrants. Why? What friend groups do you have in your school?
The grandmothers are very revered by adults and children alike in this story. What does this tell you about Ghanaian culture?
Auntie Comfort and Kojo are more than neighbors. What role do they play in this story?

Highly Recommended."

Reviewed by Anastasia Shown, MSW, University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice

Published in Africa Access Review (October 1, 2019)