My Life As A Chameleon

Name: My Life As A Chameleon
Brand: Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand
SKU: 9781472156150
Price: 24.99 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

Longlisted for the Jhalak Children's and YA Prize 2024

By Diana Anyakwo

0.0 (0 reviews)

3.92

( 114 ratings, 30 reviews)

Summary

My Life As A Chameleon by Diana Anyakwo is a heartfelt tale about a girl navigating her identity amidst diverse cultural backgrounds. Set in Nigeria, the protagonist juggles the complexities of belonging while facing the challenges that come with a blended heritage. It's a relatable and engaging story that explores themes of self-discovery and acceptance, perfect for young readers.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this delightful children's book if you appreciate stories about self-discovery and embracing one's uniqueness. The book offers a heartwarming narrative that combines adventure with important life lessons, making it an engaging read for both younger audiences and those who cherish tales of growth and identity.

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Set in both Lagos, Nigeria, and Manchester, England, My Life As A Chameleon is a powerful debut about a mixed-race girl and how she copes with being seen as an outsider in two very different cultures and even within her own family.

Description

'A vivid and tender portrait' Suzi Feay, Financial Times

'Beautiful and immersive. I was completely absorbed' Andreina Cordani

'Exceptional . . . A story of empowerment, bravery and courage' J P Rose

'Tender, melancholic, and effortless, Diana Anyakwo writes with a deceptively simple yet steady voice which immediately draws readers into Lily's rose-coloured world . . . A gorgeous tale that leaves you wanting to hug the protagonist and assure her of a lifetime of tender moments' Lola Akinmade Akerstrom, international bestselling author of IN EVERY MIRROR SHE'S BLACK

Lily is a sixteen-year-old living in Manchester. It is nearly five years since her father's death, and she is soon to return to her birthplace in Nigeria to reunite with her mother and siblings for the anniversary. As cold rain thunders on the streets of Moss Side she looks back over her young life and wonders . . . how did she get here?

As a young girl in Lagos, Lily is the baby of her large family. The daughter of a Nigerian father and Irish mother, she lives in a dual reality: one where moments of bright colour and tenderness exist alongside a sense of danger just beneath the surface of her apparently idyllic life. This is a tension that nobody dares speak out loud and it teaches Lily an early lesson: always blend in, always play the right part.

But the truth cannot stay hidden forever. Things in Lagos itself, and within her family, soon reach breaking point. As her city and her family implode into chaos around her, and at school her skin colour marks her out from the crowd, Lily struggles to know how to blend in. And when her mother sends her away to school in England, Lily's sense of identity is challenged in even more painful ways.

My Life as a Chameleon is a powerful story of resilience and belonging, about family secrets and how they can destroy even the deepest bonds. It is a story about finding your place in the world and realising you deserve to be there.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

My Life As A Chameleon by Diana Anyakwo is praised for its authentic and honest portrayal of belonging and identity struggles. The book is described as an immersive and beautifully written coming-of-age story, capturing the nuances of growing up and finding one's voice. Reviewers commend the author's ability to convey tender, melancholic moments with simple yet powerful writing. It's highlighted as a powerful, introspective narrative suitable for anyone who has ever felt out of place, showcasing themes of hope, self-discovery, and courage.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781472156150

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 May 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: ATOM

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 304

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Diana Anyakwo

About the Author

DIANA ANYAKWO grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. She is of mixed Irish and Nigerian heritage. She moved to the UK when she was a teenager and later graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Molecular Biology and a Masters in Bioreactor Systems. She spent three years in Athens, Greece where she taught English and worked as an editor at an educational publisher. Her debut young adult novel My Life as a Chameleon has been shortlisted for the 2024 KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards and longlisted for the 2024 Jhalak Children's and YA prize. Her writing has appeared in The Telegraph and Black Ballad magazine.

She currently lives and works in Manchester as a freelance writer and editor of English Language teaching materials.

She loves reading, writing, and binge-watching TV series. She also loves going for long walks to help get inspiration for her writing.

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