Boxing Day Sale is live! Up to 20% off 2000+ Books

The Door of No Return

4.29 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 7,230 ratings, 1,162 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a powerful children's novel set in West Africa. It follows twelve-year-old Kofi and his life in a vibrant Ashanti village. The story captures his journey through school, friendship, local traditions, and an unexpected tragedy, exploring themes of resilience and cultural heritage.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
Save 14% Off
Savings are calculated from our regular price of $21.00 compared to the current price of $18.00.
$1800
Elsewhere:
$2299
On Sale
in Boxing Day Sale until 30 Dec or while stocks last
FAST NZ-WIDE DELIVERY Ships from our Auckland Warehouse. In-store pickups from our Auckland store.

Found a better price? Request a price match

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 book if you're drawn to powerful historical narratives that mix adventure, emotion, and culture. It offers a gripping and moving story of resilience and hope, set in a vibrant African landscape, making it an exciting read for young audiences interested in exploring diverse experiences and rich storytelling.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Door of No Return

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The #1 New York Times bestseller

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing

"At once vivid and simple, lyrical and surgical, expressive and exacting" — Lupita Nyong'o

Dreams are today’s answers for tomorrow’s questions.

Eleven-year-old Kofi Offin has dreams of water, of its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets. He has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, West Africa, where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father’s father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming.

But when the unthinkable—a sudden death—occurs during a festival between rival villages, Kofi ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves. Yet Kofi’s dreams may be the key to his freedom…

Series: Door of No Return

View all

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?

iThe Door of No Return/i by Kwame Alexander is praised for its vivid writing and lyrical style, delivering a gripping and powerful coming-of-age story rooted in African tradition and mythology. It is described as Alexander's most ambitious work yet, blending a rich portrayal of life among the Asante with the protagonist Kofi's innocence and curiosity. Reviewers commend its engrossing narrative and expressive verse, highlighting Alexander as a master storyteller.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781839133077

Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 October 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Andersen Press Ltd

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 342g

Pages: 432

About the Author

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including Rebound, shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, The Crossover, winner of the Newbery Medal, and The Undefeated, winner of the Caldecott Medal. Kwame is also the recipient of several other awards, including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the Coretta Scott King Author Honour. He is the writer and executive producer of The Crossover TV series and is co-founder of LEAP for Ghana, an international literacy programme.

Also by Kwame Alexander

View all

More from Children's Books

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.