With Love, Miss Americanah

Gr 9 Up–Nigerian teen Enore moves to America with her mom and sister before the beginning of her senior year. Uprooting her life shortly after losing her father has left Enore feeling lost, but a chance meeting with fellow cute senior Davi puts her on an unexpectedly optimistic path. With Enore’s knowledge of American high school coming solely from classic teen movies, Davi and his group of friends may be just who she needs as she learns to once again find joy. Igharo’s debut YA novel packs a punch with all the joyful feelings that come from a first love, coming-of-age romance. Readers will connect with Enore as she struggles with anxiety, fitting in, and juggling pressure from adults in her life. Her budding romance with Davi makes way for beautiful cultural representation as they share their families’ food with each other. Additionally, there is excellent representation of how grief can manifest differently in people as Enore and her family get through in the wake of her father’s death. The references to iconic teen films add a lightheartedness that balances out the more serious moments. Enore is Nigerian and Davi is Brazilian American.