Time to Shine at the River School
For ages 8+
I just burst with happiness when I read Jummy’s boarding school adventures!
By Sabine Adeyinka, illustrated by Hanako Clulow (Chicken House, 2023)
I just burst with happiness when I read Jummy’s boarding school adventures, and for good reason too - not just because the girls regularly make up songs about and joyfully sing together - they remind me of my own boarding school days and living with Nigerian families in my youth. The stories are infused with many different delicious Nigerian meals that make my mouth water, the clothing some of the teachers and children wear are amazing, and you’ll learn a few words of Yoruba language too. It’s the final term of Form One at River School, and there’s a new girl on the bus called Dongo who Jummy is immediately impressed with when she stands up to the ‘Atlantic Four’ (ie the mean girls)!
The River School is splendent with breathtaking new flower gardens when the girls arrive and respectful to the Seniors who are busy with their final exams, they get settled in. There’s a problem though, their beloved Shine-Shine River utterly stinks, and their adored Leke Leke birds (small white egrets with yellow beaks) are nowhere to be seen. What’s more there’s a water shortage!! The girls are strictly limited to one bucket of water a day brought to them by the local Fire Chief!!
Ever brilliant at solving mysteries, the girls get an opportunity for some sleuthing when they head up to the corn fields for the inter-House competition to grow the most impressive corn by the end of term. The field borders the Redbrick Bakery. Clue #1: there doesn’t seem much evidence of a drought here. Clue #2: the new owner Mr Hassan seems rather too big for his boots especially when the North vs South of the river rowing competition is announced and he is going to row for the North! Using their instincts and imagination the girls come up with a plan to investigate by starting a Press Club for the rather amusingly titled ‘The Daily Bongafish’…
Teamwork, bravery and determination win the day. Underpinning the water shortage mystery is Dongo’s heartfelt back story, her passion and gift for rowing, and being accused of thefts in the school. As always there is so much excitement and justice to be served in a River School story - the many uplifting moments far outweigh the lows. I VERY MUCH hope and pray that the author will take her readers through to Jummy’s own graduation in this much-loved series.
