Akata Witch

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, 349 pages.
Okorafor is a great writer. I have really enjoyed everything I have read by her. This book, written earlier than her Binti novels, are also juvenile / YA and have a more traditional fantasy feel, but with roots in Nigerian culture and history. Sunny Nwazue was born in the United States to two Igbo parents. The family moved back to Nigeria when she was nine and have been living there for the last six years.
The "akata" in the title means "bush animal" and is also slang for a foreign-born blacks.  While dealing with some problems at school, Sunny discovers that she has magical abilities.Her friend Orlu introduces her to Chichi, and together they meet Sasha, an American teen sent to live with family friends. As Sunny begins to understand her powers she finds that she and her friends are  the group that must fight a growing dark power, and that this power was responsible for the death of Sunny's grandmother. A compelling book with great characters. I look forward to reading Akata Warrior.