KINGDOM OF DUST
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Though the land of Kun used to be lush and green, Amara has only ever known her homeland as a dry, dusty desert. When the griots vanished over a decade ago, they took their magic with them, along with goddess Oala’s gifts of rain and plenty, leaving Kun controlled by a powerful and uncaring king. And though her foster mother, Zirachi, assures her that Kun is not under a curse, Amara can’t help but wonder if her own origin, which is shrouded in mystery, is somehow linked to the broken kingdom.
When Amara and Zirachi are attacked by the Nkume, the fearsome king’s guard, Amara must flee, leaving all that she has known behind. With nowhere to go, but knowing that she is under Oala’s protection, Amara sets off to do the impossible: find the griots and save Kun, before the kingdom blows away like dust. * * * * * Author of A COMB OF WISHES Lisa Stringfellow returns with a West African-inspired fantasy about a girl who is determined to return both magic and justice to her people—and whose destiny holds more surprises than she could ever imagine.
Publisher: HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books
Publication Date: August 20, 2024 Type: Hardcover ISBN: 9780063043480 Available to preorder:
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Educator's Guide (coming soon)
Kingdom of Dust - Press Sheet |
praise
A fascinating fairytale of memory, the power of storytelling, and magic! Lisa Stringfellow has crafted a fantastic story of a young girl seeking to save her kingdom from the usurper that would destroy it. This coming of age story of self discovery is a gift to young readers, who will hopefully see themselves mirrored in a heroine worth rooting for!
— P. Djèlí Clark, award-winning author of Abeni's Song
Such a cool, different, princess-in-a-tower story; I loved the world Lisa built and the determined young heroine who has to save it.
— Tui Sutherland
author of the New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series
Storytelling has the ability to shape who we are and how we navigate the world. Nowhere is that more true than in Kingdom of Dust where Lisa Stringfellow has crafted a heartfelt tale full of adventure, community, mystery, and magic. This story is one that all young readers will be absolutely delighted to discover!
— Kalynn Baron, New York Times bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead
Stringfellow... communicates incisive ideas surrounding war and oppression via sparse prose, while Igbo mythology–fueled worldbuilding and Amara’s bond with her mother form an immovable fulcrum around which the story revolves.”
— Publishers Weekly
It’s difficult to be different and even harder to be brave, but this book is easy to enjoy. A delightful fable.
— Kirkus Reviews
The magical, spare narration adds a lyrical quality to each step along the way, ending with a satisfying conclusion of an authentically realized waif-to-queen transformation tale.
— Booklist
book news
- New middle-grade fiction in ‘Charmed Life,’ ‘Kingdom of Dust’ | New York Amsterdam News, August 29, 2024.
- Kingdom of Dust | Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2024.
- Kingdom of Dust Cover Reveal | Mr. Schu Reads
launch event!
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I was so happy to have an in-person book launch at Brookline Booksmith for Kingdom of Dust! It was great to see so many friends, family, colleagues, students, and excited readers in the audience.
Thank you to Rajani LaRocca for being a wonderful conversation partner. Her thoughtful questions and insights made for the perfect evening. Thank you also to our host, bookseller Heather Johnson, for introducing us and handling the flow of the event. You can watch the recording of the event on Brookline Booksmith's YouTube channel. |
books in the wild!
As an author and educator, I strongly support equity and inclusivity in the world of books and beyond. I am not available for any book events that discriminate against marginalized or underrepresented people, either on the page or off.