Fibbed - by Elizabeth Agyemang

About the Book

After telling too many far-fetched tales, Nana Busumuru's sent to spend the summer with relatives in Ghana, where she must join forces with the trickster spider Ananse to prevent an evil corporation from steaing the magic in the village forest.

Book Synopsis

"Elizabeth Agyemang smartly weaves culture, adventure, and a little magic into a dynamic story about stories. Agyemang's colorful illustrations breathe life into Nana's journey as she connects with her roots and learns to believe in her own voice. At its core, FIBBED is a bold reminder that stories--and those who tell them--have power." --Booki Vivat, New York Times bestselling author of the Frazzled series

A magical middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who doesn't lie but no one believes, and who winds up tangled in the web of a trickster spider of Ghanaian lore, Ananse.

Everyone says that the wild stories Nana tells are big fibs. But she always tells the truth, as ridiculous as it sounds to hear about the troupe of circus squirrels stealing her teacher's toupee. When another outlandish explanation lands her in hot water again, her parents announce that Nana will be spending the summer with her grandmother in Ghana.

She isn't happy to be missing the summer camp she's looked forward to all year, or to be living with family that she barely knows, in a country where she can't really speak the native language. But all her worries get a whole lot bigger--literally--when she comes face-to-face with Ananse, the trickster spider of legend.

Nana soon discovers that the forest around the village is a place of magic watched over by Ananse. But a group of greedy contractors are draining the magic from the land, intent on selling the wishes for their own gain. Nana must join forces with her cousin Tiwaa, new friend Akwesi, and Ananse himself to save the magic from those who are out to steal it before the magic--and the forest--are gone for good.

Review Quotes

"Elizabeth Agyemang smartly weaves culture, adventure, and a little magic into a dynamic story about stories. Agyemang's colorful illustrations breathe life into Nana's journey as she connects with her roots and learns to believe in her own voice. At its core, FIBBED is a bold reminder that stories--and those who tell them--have power." --Booki Vivat, New York Times bestselling author of the Frazzled series

"Thoughtful metafiction with an unshakeable cultural richness."-- Kirkus Reviews

"Energetic folk art-style illustrations [capture] the vibrant setting and colorful Ghanaian attire... a voyage of self-discovery while demonstrating the magical power of stories and their ability to reach across cultures and generations."--The Horn Book

"Multilayered, colorful, and compelling...With a creative storyline; powerful messages about the importance of family, teamwork, and problems of imperialism; and colorful, stylized, and striking artwork, Fibbed will appeal to young people interested in folklore, magic realism, and adventure stories." -- Booklist

"Lush warm colors and patterns enhance the beauty of Ghana's natural landscapes and outdoor market...[and] immerse young readers in Ghanaian traditions, folklore, and language." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A great graphic novel to add to a collection...Readers who like mischievous antics, folklore, and adventure will enjoy this story." - School Library Journal

"Highly stylized, vibrantly hued illustrations handily convey this lush tale." -- Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Elizabeth Agyemang is an illustrator, printmaker, and storyteller. She writes about magic, history, folklore, love, and fairy tales, and draws from elements of her Ghanaian heritage and faith. Elizabeth graduated from Carnegie Mellon University where she studied Fine Arts and Professional Writing, and she now works in publishing. When she isn't gushing over books or comics, she spends her time dissecting classic movies and playing video games. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @onceAddai and online at Elizabethagyemang.com.