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IDEAA Library Book Club

Library Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibilty, Anti-Racism ( IDEAA) Book Club

Questions

  1. Tyranny. What is tyranny?

    1. How do tyrants justify tyranny?

    2. Who is angry in the novel, and why?

    3. Is the anger justified?

    4. How does anger fuel some of the important action in the plot?

  2. Trust. Point to times and relationships in the novel where trust is a significant issue, especially among the four main characters:

    1.  When is trust justified among the characters?

    2. When is trust betrayed?

    3. Why is trust such a central issue under a tyrant like King Saran’s?

  3. Self-Distrust. What lesson does Mama Agba impart about strength and restraint, and why is it vital for Zélie and the others?

    1. Describe Zélie’s background and personality. What are her strengths and weaknesses?

    2. How does she change over the course of the book, and what causes the changes?

    3. Discuss why she characterizes her past as a “lifetime of mistakes”. Do you agree with her assessment of herself?

  4. Aspirations. What does Zélie’s initial state during the selection process reveal about her character and aspirations?

    1.  Is Zélie filled with anxiety and determination as she is passed over repeatedly during the selection for graduation?

    2. Does Zélie's urgency to not be overlooked again indicate her strong aspiration to be recognized and to succeed against all odds, showcasing her resilience and determination?

  5. Hierarchy. How does the interaction between Zélie and Yemi reflect the themes of rivalry and social hierarchy in their community in the story?

    1. While Yemi represents a privileged status, Zélie embodies the struggle of the divîners, who have been marginalized. Does this impact their rivalry?

    2. How does their physical contest manifest and mirror deeper societal tensions?

    3. How does it reveal the animosity between those in power and those oppressed?

  6. Identity. What does the moment in which Bisi asks why they are hated reveal about the younger generation’s perception of their identity and longing for belonging?

    1. How do they face loss and grapple with prejudice? 

    2. How do they reconcile their identity as divîners and the quest for understanding in a society that devalues them?

  7. Oppression. The guards represent the cruel hand of authority, using fear and violence to maintain control. Does Zélie's anger at being marginalized and her instinct to protect her community illustrate the personal stakes within the societal struggle? 

    1. Does Zélie's bold confrontation with the guards highlight the systemic oppression faced by the divîners?

    2. How does this interaction encapsulate the larger conflict of resistance against oppression and the fight for dignity?

  8. Resilience. Mama Agba’s story about the mighty maji conveys that despite current oppression, there was a time of strength, unity, and peace. This history serves as a beacon of hope for Zélie and the others, suggesting that they too can reclaim their strength and identity. 

    1. What message does Mama Agba's story about the maji's past convey regarding hope and resilience? 

    2. How does the narrative foster a sense of resilience and remind the maji that although they face hardship now, their potential for greatness still exists, rooted in their rich heritage?

  9. Parallels. Please refer to the Author's Note located at the end of the book when contemplating the following questions. 

    1. What real-world parallels can you draw between the challenges in this book and the challenges of people from marginalized groups today? 

    2. Why do you think the author chose to portray these challenges through a fantasy lens?

  10. Afrofuturism. "According to Mark Dery, Afrofuturism was initially defined as a means to explore diaspora culture, particularly the black experience in the Americas. Within the parameters of Dery's definition, Afrofuturism is primarily associated with black speculative fiction written by African American science fiction (SF) writers. Although a lot has been written on Afrofuturism, much focuses on African American issues arising from Afro-diasporic experiences within 20th-century technoculture, often neglecting to address postcolonial issues and experiences in Africa." Lin, P. (2024). Futurism and the African Imagination: Literature and Other Arts. Research in African Literatures, 54(4), 166–168. https://doi.org/10.2979/ral.00034

    1. How does Afrofuturism in this book expand the conversation around race, technology, and the future?