Reviews

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

ghost3_14159's review

dark emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bridgetbosworth's review

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jbo74's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

aeder's review

dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.25

ohyouread's review

4.0

The Door of No Return was a truly heartbreaking and emotional story of 11 year old boy, Kofi Offin from Upper Kwanta, who’s life revolves around school, his family, swimming, and the crush he has on a girl named Ama. When a festival comes to town, his brother is chosen to represent their village in a wrestling match. When tragedy strikes his family, it seems like nothing will ever be the same.

This incredible middle grade novel is set 1860 in what is now Ghana, Africa. The prose throughout was moving and kept me reading at a quick pace. The pain he had to go through will sit with me for so long… maybe forever. A boy who wants to live, but instead is kidnapped and sold into slavery. It’s heartbreaking and still hurts for me to think about.

I don’t want to give anymore away that I need to, because this isn’t a very long book. Just know that I loved it and with an ending like that… I need to know what happens next!

thelivermorebulb's review

adventurous sad fast-paced

4.5

Absolutely beautiful story. This will live with me for a while. The poetry makes the character of our main hero shine. Really immersive story, horrifying and yet hopeful. My only complaint is that the formatting meant that I couldn't always tell what was Kofi speaking and what was him thinking. But that's fairly minor all things considered. 

kelleemoye's review against another edition

4.0

Kwame Alexander set out to tell a story about a time period and people who are not often within books, and he did so in a beautiful way. The Door of No Return takes place in 19th century Ghana and tells the story of an 11-year-old, his life, and a twist that causes a tragedy.

brittneyfike's review

3.0

A great novel in verse. I enjoyed reading about Kofi’s journey and learning about part of the world and history that I’m not too familiar with.

I think this would be a struggle for my middle school students to read.

jxmcarstairs's review

5.0

I shouldn't have listened to this at work. I almost cried like 3 times ahahhhh.

rmm018's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5