Sixteen-year-old Haitian American Nigeria Jones has been raised inside her father’s small, insular, radical Black Power Movement, which emphasizes self-actualization outside white systemic oppression. Since her mother’s death following the birth of her brother more than a year ago—a trauma Nigeria has been unable to fully acknowledge—Nigeria has pushed against some of the boundaries of the vegan, militant, homeschool commune in which she’s been raised. Learning that her mother had been advocating for her to attend Philly Free School, a Quaker prep school where she’s earned a scholarship, Nigeria decides she wants to go. The struggle for Nigeria isn’t academic, it’s everything else—moving beyond the insular world of the Movement while not wholly rejecting it; challenging her father’s authority and, at times, her classmates and teachers; gaining new perspectives on her parents’ relationship; her sexual attraction to new Movement member Chris (Black); and her developing friendship and foray into romance with white Liam, her debate sparring partner. She also discovers her father has a girlfriend in the Movement, who is pregnant. Nigeria knows her father loves her and knows her mother did, too, yet their dreams for her diverged. Nigeria’s own voice and heart are what she must listen to as she figures out her path forward. In a book that is intense, passionate, and critical of many aspects of society, especially racism, sexism, and classism, Nigeria courageously navigates uncertainty and conflicting ideas to discover the truth and dreams that matter: her own. (Age 14 and older)

Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner!

“An unwavering proclamation of Black girlhood.” —Candice Iloh, author of National Book Award finalist Every Body Looking

From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and coauthor of Punching the Air, comes a bold new YA coming-of-age story that explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics. The ideal next read for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jacqueline Woodson, and Roxane Gay.

Warrior Princess. That’s what Nigeria Jones’s father calls her. He has raised her as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. Nigeria is homeschooled and vegan and participates in traditional rituals to connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother—the perfect matriarch of 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 begins to flourish 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 powerful story about discovering who you are in the world—and fighting for that person—by having the courage to be your own revolution.