I read Sugar Girl by Kola Onadipe in Primary Three or thereabouts. A well-crafted story about Ralia, a young girl who goes on an adventure away from home. In her wanderings, she met significant people who impacted her journey for evil (a witch) or for good (a hunter). And she made friends, many who joined in her triumph over the calamities she encountered.

This story has stuck in my mind for over thirty years and only recently did I understand why. Ralia is a girl taking her destiny in her own hands in a society that didn’t allow children the liberty to determine much of anything, particularly girls. Ralia is a heroine of her own life, taking actions to produce a better future. Great literature.

So, the other day, I took my tattered copy off the shelf to reread. Unfortunately, I lost it amidst my daily run around. Thus, if anyone has a copy to pass along, call. If you’ve not read it or are looking for a beautiful story for your children to read, grab a copy of Sugar Girl (new cover in pic).

And when you’ve read Sugar Girl, read Renike comes to America.