Historical

The Door of No Return

The Door of No Return

  • Downloads：6557
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-09-27 01:21:36
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Kwame Alexander
  • ISBN：0316441864
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

Dreams are today’s answers for tomorrow’s questions。
 
11-year-old Kofi Offin dreams of water。 Its mysterious， immersive quality。 The rich， earthy scent of the current。 The clearness， its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets…
 
Kofi has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta， in the village where he lives。 He loves these things above all else: his family， the fireside tales of his father’s father， a girl named Ama， and， of course， swimming。 Some say he moves like a minnow， not just an ordinary boy so he’s hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older， stronger cousin。
 
But before this can take place， a festival comes to the villages of Upper and Lower Kwanta and Kofi’s brother is chosen to represent Upper Kwanta in the wrestling contest。 Encircled by cheering spectators and sounding drums， the two wrestlers from different villages kneel， ready to fight。 
 
You are only fine， until you are not。
 
The match is over before it has barely begun， when the unthinkable–a sudden death–occurs…
 
The river does not care how grown you are。 

As his world turns upside down， Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life。 What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea， and away from everything he loves。

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Reviews

Cindy ，

THIS BOOK！ If you read one book this month， make it this one！！ Yes， I know it’s marketed for young readers…and， yes， I know it is written in verse…but it is one of those special works of literature that will be remembered throughout the ages。This tale of transatlantic slavery is heartbreaking and harrowing， but there is an unexpected hope that resonates in the end。 I cried for Kofi - this history is one of many tears。 But the writing style is transformative and conjures deep reverence for everyt THIS BOOK！ If you read one book this month， make it this one！！ Yes， I know it’s marketed for young readers…and， yes， I know it is written in verse…but it is one of those special works of literature that will be remembered throughout the ages。This tale of transatlantic slavery is heartbreaking and harrowing， but there is an unexpected hope that resonates in the end。 I cried for Kofi - this history is one of many tears。 But the writing style is transformative and conjures deep reverence for everything he （and millions of others） faced。 。。。more

Marisa ，

I got an audiobook copy from Libro。fm and while I really liked the narration and story， I think I need to go back and reread the print version。 I think much is lost in the audiobook version and I love Alexander's books so I don't want to give a star review until I reread it。 I got an audiobook copy from Libro。fm and while I really liked the narration and story， I think I need to go back and reread the print version。 I think much is lost in the audiobook version and I love Alexander's books so I don't want to give a star review until I reread it。 。。。more

Richetta ，

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review。 This is the kind of historical novel those of us who are adults now deserved when we were in school。 This book embraces and emphasizes the narrative that the history of Blacks in the diaspora did not begin in the countries where they were enslaved。 Our history began across the ocean in West Africa。 A Story of an Asante BoyThis story of young Kofi of the Asante。 He is an excellent swimmer， finds Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review。 This is the kind of historical novel those of us who are adults now deserved when we were in school。 This book embraces and emphasizes the narrative that the history of Blacks in the diaspora did not begin in the countries where they were enslaved。 Our history began across the ocean in West Africa。 A Story of an Asante BoyThis story of young Kofi of the Asante。 He is an excellent swimmer， finds Shakespeare interesting and ironic （even though he would never admit it） and has a crush on girl in his village。 It is 1860。 Let me just tell you: I read this book in one day because I had to find out Kofi's fate。 I feel the need to deep dive into this time period in West Africa on the Gold Coast now。 Because baaaabbbyyy this one took me for a ride I wasn't ready for。。。at all。 Foreshadowing and Other DetailsI loved that this was a novel in verse。 Also， the poems are grouped into larger chapters。 The chapters serve as foreshadowing for the fate of Kofi。 I recommend checking out the end pages for additional glossaries on the Twi language and symbols that are used to mark each chapter。 If you are a fan of Roots， this is a good novel for you to check out。 Book PairingsAfter I finished this book， I was talking to my daughter about The Door of No Return and she responded， "Oh like The 1619 Project: Born in the Water！" And wouldn't you know she beat me to a book recommendation first！ Born in the Water is a perfect pairing for any young reader or adult reader to read with Kwame Alexander's The Door of No ReturnFinal ThoughtsAlexander mentions at the beginning of the book that it was a hard one to write。 But he does an excellent job of resurrecting the stories， humanity and history of the ancestors。 There is a point when this book will become hard to read because of the emotions connected to this history。 But by then you are ready to face the hard parts because Alexander has prepared you with Kofi's life of joy， boyish fun and family。 。。。more

Olivia ，

THE DOOR OF NO RETURN is a powerful and sweeping middle grade read written in verse。 Using the lyrical form， the reader is transported to the life of the 11-year-old Kofi， who loves to swim and has a crush on a girl named Ama。 He attends school where his teacher insists they learn "The Queen's English" and who has harsh punishments for their mistakes。 Kofi does not mind when he has to read Shakespeare though， and it has made an impression on him。Life changes when a wrestling match at a festival THE DOOR OF NO RETURN is a powerful and sweeping middle grade read written in verse。 Using the lyrical form， the reader is transported to the life of the 11-year-old Kofi， who loves to swim and has a crush on a girl named Ama。 He attends school where his teacher insists they learn "The Queen's English" and who has harsh punishments for their mistakes。 Kofi does not mind when he has to read Shakespeare though， and it has made an impression on him。Life changes when a wrestling match at a festival results in a death， and then slave traders arrive to pillage and torture。 Kofi's life is suddenly and irrevocably changed in the worst ways as he hopes for survival and watches the people he loves suffer。What I loved: This is such a poignant and powerful read that really brings Kofi to life amidst the pages。 The use of poetry is quite evocative， and different styles are used throughout to convey the changing emotions and state of Kofi's world。 It is really a masterful use of the form that has a forceful impact on the reader。 It is really stunning and beautiful， and will definitely pull the reader into the story。The pace is just right， moving faster or slower as needed along with Kofi。 There is much that happens in the book， and the reader understands just as much as Kofi， which means that they experience his emotions alongside him。 Kofi is an endearing character， and it makes his story all the more compelling。 The book handles some really heavy themes in an approachable way that will work well for the intended middle grade audience， but will speak to other age groups as well。 Final verdict: An evocative， potent， and mesmerizing read， THE DOOR OF NO RETURN combines masterful writing with an unforgettable story that is sure to leave readers gasping。 Highly recommend picking this one up - for middle grade audiences on up。Please note that I received an ARC。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Toya （the reading chemist） ，

What a powerful and harrowing story。

Darla ，

RTC

Angela May ，

I was only going to read for an hour， but instead， I found myself clearing my entire schedule to read this book in one sitting！ What a story。 An unforgettable， captivating， gut-wrenching， and IMPORTANT story。 "The lion's side of the story" as one character says。 This is a book that I hope is read far and wide in middle and high school， and beyond。 In my opinion， this is Kwame Alexander's most moving， powerful， beautiful story yet。 I was gifted an early copy of this book。 I was only going to read for an hour， but instead， I found myself clearing my entire schedule to read this book in one sitting！ What a story。 An unforgettable， captivating， gut-wrenching， and IMPORTANT story。 "The lion's side of the story" as one character says。 This is a book that I hope is read far and wide in middle and high school， and beyond。 In my opinion， this is Kwame Alexander's most moving， powerful， beautiful story yet。 I was gifted an early copy of this book。 。。。more

Becky ，

Powerful。

Sofia ，

Heartbreaking。 Powerful。 Necessary。

Susan ，

This was a beautiful and lyrical middle grade book。 It was heartbreaking and beautiful。 So many emotions while listening to this。 The audiobook was fantastic。I was provided an ALC by Libro。fm which has not affected my review。

Emily ，

I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read it and not listened to it。

Melodi ，

I picked this up without refreshing myself on the synopsis and I recommend you do that too！ I read this in one day and now I'm sitting with this book and these words in a heavy， yet beautiful place in my heart。 It's 1860 in what is today Ghana。 We meet Kofi who is part of the Asante Kingdom。 He is 11 and loves his family， has a small crush on a girl and loves to swim。 We learn about what life is for him as a young boy and what direction he will go as he grows older， but life doesn't always turn I picked this up without refreshing myself on the synopsis and I recommend you do that too！ I read this in one day and now I'm sitting with this book and these words in a heavy， yet beautiful place in my heart。 It's 1860 in what is today Ghana。 We meet Kofi who is part of the Asante Kingdom。 He is 11 and loves his family， has a small crush on a girl and loves to swim。 We learn about what life is for him as a young boy and what direction he will go as he grows older， but life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will。 I will leave it at this point and urge you to try this book！Kwame Alexander has a beautiful way with words。 This book is written in a unique format that is poetic sharing the thoughts of Kofi， delivering Asante folklore and brilliantly immersing the reader into life of the people。 A book I will pass onto my 15 year old to read！ Thank you to NetGalley and Little， Brown Books for Young Readers for the advance e-copy of this book。 I am going to buy the physical book for my library！ 。。。more

Yapha ，

A powerful story beautifully written， as one would expect from Kwame Alexander。 11 year old Kofi loves the river and his family， except for the cousin that torments him。 He has an ordinary life， going to school， doing chores， swimming with friends。 Until everything suddenly changes。 This is a very different （and much needed） perspective on people being stolen and sold into bondage。 Highly recommended for grades 5 & up。eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

Dana ，

Thank you to Hachette， Libro FM， and the author for the gifted audiobook of The Door of No Return！ All opinions in this review are my own。At this point I will read anything Kwame Alexander writes， so when I saw his newest release was available through the educator ALC on Libro FM， I had to grab it！ Once again， Alexander's beautiful verse clearly creates the world his characters inhabit。 Fair warning that this novel is heartbreaking， but I enjoyed the tension that was created because the reader c Thank you to Hachette， Libro FM， and the author for the gifted audiobook of The Door of No Return！ All opinions in this review are my own。At this point I will read anything Kwame Alexander writes， so when I saw his newest release was available through the educator ALC on Libro FM， I had to grab it！ Once again， Alexander's beautiful verse clearly creates the world his characters inhabit。 Fair warning that this novel is heartbreaking， but I enjoyed the tension that was created because the reader can figure out what is happening before the main character can。I have previously only read Alexander's other novels， but I highly recommend the audiobook。 Hearing the free verse read aloud is a completely different experience than reading it yourself。 。。。more

Lizanne Johnson ，

Excellent audiobook。 The main character is 11， however， the story itself is so important and moving， appropriate for older people too。 I’ll be getting this for my high school library。

Adira ，

Pain of Chattel Slavery never dulls。 Kwame Alexander's story is a must read。 Pain of Chattel Slavery never dulls。 Kwame Alexander's story is a must read。 。。。more

Tweller83 ，

I received this audiobook free through Libro。fm's educator subscription。This is such a powerful listen about the origins of slavery and a coming-of-age story。 So beautiful， as only Kwame Alexander can do。 Incredible and highly recommend。 I received this audiobook free through Libro。fm's educator subscription。This is such a powerful listen about the origins of slavery and a coming-of-age story。 So beautiful， as only Kwame Alexander can do。 Incredible and highly recommend。 。。。more

Amanda Shepard （Between-the-Shelves） ，

Lyrical， beautiful， heartbreaking。 Alexander has woven this story beautifully， and I definitely recommend the audiobook。 It helps bring his poetry to life in a way that makes it feel like someone is telling you a story。 It's a short audiobook， but I was captured from beginning to end。I'm giving the writing 5 stars， I just wish there was an afterward or something that gave historical context。 Maybe it will be in the physical book？ I'll have to check when it comes out at the end of September。 I ju Lyrical， beautiful， heartbreaking。 Alexander has woven this story beautifully， and I definitely recommend the audiobook。 It helps bring his poetry to life in a way that makes it feel like someone is telling you a story。 It's a short audiobook， but I was captured from beginning to end。I'm giving the writing 5 stars， I just wish there was an afterward or something that gave historical context。 Maybe it will be in the physical book？ I'll have to check when it comes out at the end of September。 I just feel like that piece of information might be useful for kids who read this book， to help in understanding the historical context。Besides that， I highly recommend checking out this book when it comes out later in September。 。。。more

Kim McGee ，

Steeped in the rich culture of the Asante people this powerful coming of age story is told by 11 year old Kofi。 In Kofi's village the boys go to an English school and learn the English ways unlearning everything that makes them who they are。 At home they speak their language， learn to follow the old ways and the true path to adulthood that generations have followed before them。 Kofi deals with universal problems of first love， rivalry， bullies and questions of what it means to be a man but when Steeped in the rich culture of the Asante people this powerful coming of age story is told by 11 year old Kofi。 In Kofi's village the boys go to an English school and learn the English ways unlearning everything that makes them who they are。 At home they speak their language， learn to follow the old ways and the true path to adulthood that generations have followed before them。 Kofi deals with universal problems of first love， rivalry， bullies and questions of what it means to be a man but when he is forced into a swimming contest his life will change forever。 Narrated in colorful melodic prose that instantly calms the listener（ even during the dramatic parts） this is a story that will resonate with middle grade， young adult and adults。 So glad this is the first of three books。I highly recommend the audiobook。 My thanks to Libro。fm and the publisher for the advance copy。 。。。more

Marisa ，

Wow。 I was not emotionally prepared for this book to end the way it did。 Quick read， FABULOUS audio narrator（s）， so engrossing。 Lots to teach/explore here。 Middle grade/middle school teachers - read it！ Or better yet， listen to it！Advanced Listener Copy from the amazing educator/librarian libro。fm program - check it out， ya'll！ Wow。 I was not emotionally prepared for this book to end the way it did。 Quick read， FABULOUS audio narrator（s）， so engrossing。 Lots to teach/explore here。 Middle grade/middle school teachers - read it！ Or better yet， listen to it！Advanced Listener Copy from the amazing educator/librarian libro。fm program - check it out， ya'll！ 。。。more

Veronica ，

Thank you to @libro。fm and the publisher for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this book。 I love Kwame Alexander's books and this one did not disappoint。 It is a history lesson and a story of survival wrapped into one。 I was surpised it ended the way it did， but after hearing that it is the first in a trilogy， it makes sense。 I can't wait to read the next two books。 Thank you to @libro。fm and the publisher for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this book。 I love Kwame Alexander's books and this one did not disappoint。 It is a history lesson and a story of survival wrapped into one。 I was surpised it ended the way it did， but after hearing that it is the first in a trilogy， it makes sense。 I can't wait to read the next two books。 。。。more

Mrs。 Luettchau ，

Ugh。 I feel badly rating this book a 2 because I really love the author and all of his other books。 It's possible that I did not enjoy this one as an audiobook because I didn't get to enjoy seeing the language in print。 It was difficult following the characters and the time period。 I really wanted to enjoy it， but I was disappointed。 The text kind of felt like it was all over the place despite the fact that it was dealing with such serious topics。 Maybe I'll give it another shot in print。 Ugh。 I feel badly rating this book a 2 because I really love the author and all of his other books。 It's possible that I did not enjoy this one as an audiobook because I didn't get to enjoy seeing the language in print。 It was difficult following the characters and the time period。 I really wanted to enjoy it， but I was disappointed。 The text kind of felt like it was all over the place despite the fact that it was dealing with such serious topics。 Maybe I'll give it another shot in print。 。。。more

DaNae ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 DevastatingI listened to an audio ARC。 There was no back matter or author’s note。 I have unanswered question that I hope will be addressed in the print copy。 If the trans-Atlantic was illegal in the US after 1808 and this book is set in 1860， where was this American ship headed？

Karen Reed ，

This story hurts。 And it should。 An absolutely essential read but teachers and parents need to know this should be read alongside your children or better yet beforehand。 Reading about the transatlantic slave trade from a child's point of view was crushing for me and could be difficult for a student or child without context and support 。 I believe this is book 1 in a trilogy and I cannot wait to continue reading it。 This story hurts。 And it should。 An absolutely essential read but teachers and parents need to know this should be read alongside your children or better yet beforehand。 Reading about the transatlantic slave trade from a child's point of view was crushing for me and could be difficult for a student or child without context and support 。 I believe this is book 1 in a trilogy and I cannot wait to continue reading it。 。。。more

Shannon ，

A powerfully， moving middle grade story about a young African boy who gets stolen and sold into slavery。 Perfect for fans of the show Roots or Lawrence Hill's Book of negroes and great on audio read by the author！ I'm excited that this is the first in a trilogy and can't wait to see where the series goes next！！ Much thanks to Librofm for an ALC of this great new book！ A powerfully， moving middle grade story about a young African boy who gets stolen and sold into slavery。 Perfect for fans of the show Roots or Lawrence Hill's Book of negroes and great on audio read by the author！ I'm excited that this is the first in a trilogy and can't wait to see where the series goes next！！ Much thanks to Librofm for an ALC of this great new book！ 。。。more

Sarah McNeely ，

 Interweaving moments of joyful exuberance and heartbreaking sadness via sensate lines by turns sweet and stinging， Alexander’s sweeping novel conjures a captivating， resonant world of African tradition， life， and ancestral wisdom。 Rich in African history from food and culture to politics and war。 I give it all the stars。 Alexander provides everything needed in characterization and storyline。 Make sure you share this with your friends and family。

David Hankerson ，

I was dreading starting this book。 I was not in a mood to start something that would illustrate the worst of the human condition。 It has been rough year。 However， this book is beautifully crafted in verse。 It brought all the emotions and yet， left me with a glimpse of how the human spirit can be stronger than our circumstances。

Kim ，

I am ruined。 Make sure you are thoughtful about where you finish this one。 If you are like me， you will need a minute or two。 5 stars isn't enough for this joyful， beautiful， so important， heartrending title。 How will I ever wait for book 2？ I am ruined。 Make sure you are thoughtful about where you finish this one。 If you are like me， you will need a minute or two。 5 stars isn't enough for this joyful， beautiful， so important， heartrending title。 How will I ever wait for book 2？ 。。。more

Samantha ，

Thank you to Libro。FM's Educator ALC program for the early copy of this audiobook。 This is my first Kwame Alexander， but it won't be my last。 Kofi's story begins heartwarming and sweet like any other 11-year-old in a village。 He has his siblings， a rivalry with his cousin， a crush on a girl， a best friend who is a bit of a troublemaker， and a teacher who is introducing them all to "the Queen's English" and Shakespeare。 He has to balance speaking English and Twi and all his obligations as he appr Thank you to Libro。FM's Educator ALC program for the early copy of this audiobook。 This is my first Kwame Alexander， but it won't be my last。 Kofi's story begins heartwarming and sweet like any other 11-year-old in a village。 He has his siblings， a rivalry with his cousin， a crush on a girl， a best friend who is a bit of a troublemaker， and a teacher who is introducing them all to "the Queen's English" and Shakespeare。 He has to balance speaking English and Twi and all his obligations as he approaches becoming a man in his community。 One night， it all goes wrong and I want to make sure you know that this is a harrowing depiction。 I know that this is for a middle grade audience， but take care while reading or listening to the back half of this story。 I cannot wait to read the next installments in this story。 。。。more

Kathleen Mulrine ，

Review based on the free audiobook given to educators from Libro。fm:First， I absolutely recommend the audiobook。 The reader is wonderful。 I don't think my imagination would have captured the characters' voice half as well。 This is a wonderful middle grades story that captures the playful and irrepressible character of 11 year old Kofi so well。 You love Kofi immediately， enough to stay with him through the truly terrible things that happen。 Review based on the free audiobook given to educators from Libro。fm:First， I absolutely recommend the audiobook。 The reader is wonderful。 I don't think my imagination would have captured the characters' voice half as well。 This is a wonderful middle grades story that captures the playful and irrepressible character of 11 year old Kofi so well。 You love Kofi immediately， enough to stay with him through the truly terrible things that happen。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Door of No Return

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Door of No Return&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Door of No Return&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0