Raybearer, by Jordan Ifueko
This is a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking story. This book has truly impacted me and I can’t recommend it enough.
From the very first page, I was drawn into the fascinating and beautiful world that Ifueko has created. The characters are complex and relatable, and the intricate plot kept me on the edge of my seat. The story follows a young girl named Tarisai, who has been raised by a mysterious and powerful woman known only as The Lady. Tarisai is trained to become a member of a powerful council, but soon discovers that her destiny is much more complicated than she could ever have imagined.
What I loved most about Raybearer is the way it explores themes of identity, loyalty, and power. Ifueko does an incredible job of creating a rich and diverse world that feels both familiar and completely new. I can still bring up images even after reading this book when it was first published. The characters are so vividly drawn that I felt like I knew and loved them by the end of the book.
I cannot recommend Raybearer enough. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and the sequel in this duology does not disappoint! I can’t wait to see what Jordan Ifeuko writes next.
Written by Jordan Ifueko
Amulet Books, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-41973-982-8
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2021, Named one of the best books of the year by People Magazine, Buzzfeed, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly
Jordan Ifueko on her YA debut novel, Raybearer
Reviews: Publishers Weekly; Kirkus
Amanda Samland is a Library Services Coordinator for Denver Public Schools. She supports school libraries with collection development, library management, training and more. She strives to create welcoming and inclusive libraries where students can explore their interests and develop a lifelong love of learning and reading. She loves to read all kinds of books but especially those that include fantasy, dystopian, robots and space operas.
JULIA E. TORRES is a nationally recognized veteran language arts teacher, librarian, and teen programs administrator in Denver, Colorado. Julia facilitates teacher development workshops rooted in the areas of anti-racist education, equity and access in literacy and librarianship, and education as a practice of liberation. Julia’s work has been featured on NPR, AlJazeera’s The Stream, PBS Education, KQED’s MindShift, Rethinking Schools, Learning for Justice Magazine, School Library Journal, American Libraries Magazine, and many more. She is a Book Love Foundation board member, Educolor Working Group member, a Book Ambassador for The Educator Collaborative, and a co-founder of #DisruptTexts. Her co-authored title Liven Up Your Library: Design Engaging and Inclusive Programs for Teens and Tweens is just the first of many forthcoming publications for librarians and educators. Learn more about Julia on her website juliaetorres.com or on social media @juliaerin80
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 