Daré's captivating first novel opens with 14-year-old Adunni hearing the devastating news from her father that, instead of returning to school as she has longed to for three years, she has been sold in marriage to a much-older neighbor in their Nigerian village. Adunni is distraught, as life with a husband, his two other wives, and his unrestrained young children is exactly the fate from which, according to her deceased mother, having an education would spare her. Desperate to improve her life, she flees to the city, where to support herself she accepts employment as a rich family's servant. But why was the position vacant? The reasoning behind her predecessor's departure is just one of the things Adunni seeks to learn while in Lagos. Daré's arresting prose provides a window into the lives of Nigerians of all socioeconomic levels and shows readers the beauty and humor that may be found even in the midst of harrowing experiences. Although the problems and antagonists Adunni faces would challenge even capable adults, she defies almost everyone's expectations and not only survives but thrives.--Nicole Williams Copyright 2020 Booklist