Binti By Nnedi Okorafor (Grades 7-9)

Born in Cincinnati to Nigerian-born parents, Nnedi Okorafor grew up between in Chicago with extended trips to Nigeria throughout her youth. She writes what she calls Africanfuturism, and she has atrracted much attention for her mindbending, and highly literary novels. Her best know is Binti, about an young Namibian woman of the Himba, who becomes the first of her people to attend an intergalactic university called Oomza Uni. It is a thrilling and engaging story of new beginnings and bravery in the face of the unknown.