The Door of No Return

*"Themes of conflict within and between cultures, and of war and peace, hate and love, despair and hope are deeply embedded throughout this gripping tale."

*"Alexander weaves a breathtaking tale that is ripe with the juxtaposing emotions that come with any coming-of-age story. Through Alexander’s verse, readers are reminded of the beauty and unbounded richness that Ghana and her people have to offer...Alexander has written a masterpiece, one that powerfully and truthfully gives agency to the Black voices of the past. Profound and important reading."

*“Books with enslaved main characters certainly exist in juvenile fiction, but the reality of the transatlantic slave trade hasn’t been so adeptly captured for young readers to date...Told in Alexander’s lyrical and masterly style, this gritty and compelling novel of Kofi’s life should be included in all library collections that serve young readers.”

*“Every person who was enslaved came from a home with a rich history and unique culture. Their stories have been told in excellent books for young readers, including Sharon Draper’s Copper Sun; Nikole Hannah-Jones, Renée Watson and Nikkolas Smith’s The 1619 Project: Born on the Water; and Ashley Bryan’s Freedom Over Me. But many more are needed, and there’s no one better to add to this vital canon than Alexander.”

A #1 Amazon Best Book of the Year
A #1 Indie Next List Pick
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022 Pick
Shelf Awareness Best Book of 2022 Pick
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book Pick
Horn Book Best Book of 2022 Pick

"Absolutely spellbinding: Kwame Alexander weaves together storytelling, poetry, music and history like no one else can. An unforgettable journey to be treasured and shared across generations.”