German Calendar No December by Sylvia Ofili (English) Hardcover Book

Description: German Calendar No December by Sylvia Ofili, Birgit Weyhe A coming of age tale following Olivia, a dreamer whose search for more takes her from a boarding school in Lagos to her mothers homeland of Germany. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Olivia Evezis childhood is a happy one; her days spent listening to highlife records with her father and poring over the colourful postcards her mother receives from Germany. But Olivia is a dreamer and longs for more, leaving her hometown of Warri behind to live out her Enid Blyton fantasies in boarding school in Lagos. Instead of adventure and lacrosse, however, she is met with punishments, endless chores and hazing rituals, as she struggles to overcome the terror and disdain of the seniors. Olivias restlessness takes her to Germany, her mothers homeland, where she is thrown into a hidden world of workers and migrants; a world of constant vigilance, where a piece of paper can hold the key to survival. Author Biography Sylvia Ofili is a writer and teacher currently based in Stockholm. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria of Nigerian/Hungarian parents and her writing has appeared in the Guardian Nigeria and Brittle Paper. She is also known as "The Waffarian" and has been writing on her blog for over ten years. German Calendar No December is her first full length graphic novel.Birgit Weyhe is a comic book artist. Born in Munich, she spent her childhood in East Africa before moving back to Germany to study. Her work has been exhibited in numerous European countries and her comics have been published in a wide range of international magazines and anthologies. In 2016, her graphic novel Madgermanes won the Max-und-Moritz-Prize for best German Comic. She has lectured at various international workshops on behalf of the Goethe Insitut and currently teaches at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. Review As the oldest daughter of a German mother and Nigerian father in a small Nigerian town where everybody knows everybody, Olivia has valued books as windows to a life beyond. While anticipating boarding school in big-city Lagos, Olivia dreams of "all kinds of adventures," Enid Blyton-style, filled with games, picnics, perhaps even a mystery to solve. What she endures instead is senseless abuse at the whim of upperclasswomen, until one scorching afternoon, she refuses further punishment, inspiring her fellow students to revolt. After graduation, Olivia "cant wait to get the hell out," choosing university in her mothers birthplace of Hamburg. While she was oyinbo (white European) in Nigeria, shes suddenly Black in Germany and the object of intrusive scrutiny. A part-time bakery job provides a welcoming haven, more so when the diverse staff starts sharing secrets. Artist Weyhe presents Nigerian Hungarian Ofilis debut in a palette of greens and rusty browns, as if ironically invoking earthy tones to underscore Olivias own unsettled journeys. As Olivia readies herself to "move on" and find her own cause, the vast world awaits.GR 10 UP--Olivia, who lives in a small town in Nigeria, cant wait to have adventures at her new boarding school in Lagos. She imagines that life will be like an Enid Blyton novel: playing games, having picnics, and solving crimes. But its nothing like she expected. Her classmates are cruel, and there are endless chores. Upon graduating, Olivia goes to her mothers home country, Germany, where she meets new friends, gains new perspectives on the world, and ponders her identity. She is called oyinbo (white) in Nigeria, where her father is from, and black in Germany. Olivias group of immigrant friends help her transition to her new world and find purpose. Ultimately, it is up to Olivia to decide where she belongs. Weyhes striking orange, green, and black illustrations complement the story. African iconography is used in Olivias early life to convey strong emotions and show how she is viewing the world around her. VERDICT A coming-of-age tale for readers of realistic fiction graphic novels or graphic memoirs in the vein of Persepolis. Perfect for high school and adult graphic novel collections.Ofilis debut teaches readers that moving forward is the only option.Olivia Evezi wants to find her place in a world where she never wholly belongs. In her home of Warri, Nigeria, her white German immigrant mother is referred to as "Oyinbo," and Olivia dislikes the way it marks them as different. Sent to boarding school in Lagos, she is immediately othered and treated poorly because of her mixed heritage. Her fantasies of jolly adventures are quickly dashed by the realities of oppression and hazing. Hoping to put that mistreatment behind her, she finds her way to Hamburg, Germany, to attend university. Her arrival is less than pleasant after being questioned by a customs agent and embarrassing herself on an escalator. And she quickly learns that while in Nigeria she wasnt black enough, in Germany she isnt white enough. Among her multiethnic co-workers at a bakery she finds a family and a purpose, but it isnt enough to shield her from harsh realities. Illustrations of birds interspersed throughout the story represent Olivias need to escape the familiar and seek what the rest of the world has to offer. Weyhe (Arbeit, 2018, etc.) infuses West African-style figures and art executed in simple lines with an orange, brown, and green color palette. Her expressive faces pair well with the honest, straightforward text, bringing to life the journey of a young woman seeking acceptance and belonging.A worthy coming-of-age story about resilience. (Graphic fiction. 13-adult) Promotional • Author tour • Co-op available • Advance review copies available • National print and radio campaign • Announcement emails to be sent to independent bookstores and book clubs • Social media campaign • Giveaways: Twitter, Facebook & Goodreads Review Text As the oldest daughter of a German mother and Nigerian father in a small Nigerian town where everybody knows everybody, Olivia has valued books as windows to a life beyond. While anticipating boarding school in big-city Lagos, Olivia dreams of "all kinds of adventures," Enid Blyton-style, filled with games, picnics, perhaps even a mystery to solve. What she endures instead is senseless abuse at the whim of upperclasswomen, until one scorching afternoon, she refuses further punishment, inspiring her fellow students to revolt. After graduation, Olivia "cant wait to get the hell out," choosing university in her mothers birthplace of Hamburg. While she was oyinbo (white European) in Nigeria, shes suddenly Black in Germany and the object of intrusive scrutiny. A part-time bakery job provides a welcoming haven, more so when the diverse staff starts sharing secrets. Artist Weyhe presents Nigerian Hungarian Ofilis debut in a palette of greens and rusty browns, as if ironically invoking earthy tones to underscore Olivias own unsettled journeys. As Olivia readies herself to "move on" and find her own cause, the vast world awaits. Details ISBN1911115618 Author Birgit Weyhe Pages 192 Publisher Cassava Republic Press Year 2018 ISBN-10 1911115618 ISBN-13 9781911115618 Format Hardcover Publication Date 2018-11-13 Language English Illustrator Birgit Weyhe DEWEY 741.5 UK Release Date 2018-11-13 Imprint Cassava Republic Press Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom NZ Release Date 2018-11-13 Audience Age 15-99 Audience General AU Release Date 2019-08-13 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:136076638;

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