The Kaya Girl

An extraordinary tale of two teenagers who were never meant to be friends, this page-turner transports readers to a bustling market in Ghana's capital city where one friendship transforms two lives.When Faiza, a migrant girl from northern Ghana, and Abena, a wealthy doctor's daughter from the south meet by chance in Accra's largest market where Faiza works as a porter, or kaya girl, they strike up an unlikely and powerful friendship that transcends their social inequities and opens up new worlds to them both. Set against a backdrop of class disparity in Ghana, The Kaya Girl explores how two teenage lives are indelibly impacted by a barrier-defying friendship. This gorgeously transporting work offers vivid insight into two strikingly diverse young lives in Ghana.

Praise for The Kaya Girl: Kirkus Best Book Children's Africana Book Award, * "A heartwarming and inspiring tale of a friendship that surpasses class differences and social stigma."--Kirkus, starred review, * "Employing realistic dialogue and lush descriptions of the sights, smells, and tastes of Ghana, this smart exploration of friendship's lasting power centers two teens expanding and exploring their worlds."--Publishers Weekly, starred review, * "Middle graders will enjoy being transported to the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the Makola Market in Accra, Ghana, which set the stage for Adena's summer."--School Library Journal, starred review, "...will transport readers to Ghana."--Booklist

MAMLE WOLO is an award-winning Ghanaian-German author who studied at the University of Cambridge and the University of Lancaster in the UK, and is an Honorary Fellow in Writing of the University of Iowa. She writes fiction, poetry, and screenplays and lives with her family in Accra, Ghana.