"A musical , moneymaking misadventure teaches Kofi the importance of friendship and family"
June 2023 Debut of the Month
This hugely enjoyable fiction debut by the award-winning author of Musical Truth, the ground-breaking look at black history through popular music, is similarly infused with music.
Set in the 90’s but packed with instantly recognisable and relatable family, friendship, and school dynamics, this is the story of the fast talking, well-meaning, irrepressible Kofi and his sometimes misguided money-making schemes. Exploiting his best mate Kelvin’s excellent memory skills, they create and sell Paper Jam, a fanzine of ragga and rap song lyrics.
Everyone at school is obsessed with the music but nobody knows the words and so Paper Jam is a big success. But another ingenious scheme to make money by cheating arcade games, gets them involved with Leroy and his gang and almost lands his Uncle Delroy in jail. Kofi’s optimism is shaken by seeing prejudice in action and he has to learn what it means to be a true friend and what matters more than money. Kofi has a loving, nurturing family to help him find a way through his problems and Leroy’s bullying also turns out to be the catalyst for discovering Kelvin’s rapping talent and for transforming the playground cussing battles into rap circles that celebrate creativity and community, not cruelty.
The razor sharp and witty dialogue and the frequent hilarious scenes make this a truly engaging read with an authenticity and warmth that will undoubtedly have readers keen to follow more of Kofi’s escapades.
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