The Kaya Girl

This rags-to-riches story by an award-winning Ghanaian author has page-turning appeal with luminous literary resonance.

Writing with effortlessly engaging prose, Wolo showcases the interweaving layers of Ghanaian culture to create a prismatic, multifaceted world in which two young girls, against all odds, are able to find each other.

When Faiza, a Muslim migrant girl from northern Ghana, and Abena, a wealthy doctor’s daughter from the south, meet by chance in Accra’s largest market, where Faiza works as a porter or kaya girl, they strike up an unlikely and powerful friendship that transcends their social inequities and opens up new worlds to them both.

Set against a backdrop of class disparity in Ghana, The Kaya Girl has shades of The Kite Runner in its unlikely friendship, and of Slumdog Millionaire as Faiza’s life takes unlikely turns that propel her thrillingly forward. As, over the course of the novel, Abena awakens to the world outside her sheltered, privileged life, the novel explores a multitude of awakenings and the opportunities that lie beyond the breaking down of barriers. This is a gorgeously transporting work, offering vivid insight into two strikingly diverse young lives in Ghana.

My first book by a Ghanaian author

Being originally from Ghana, I really enjoyed this book because of the nostalgia. It was refreshing to hear my name as one of the characters! I also learned some things about the colonization in Africa that I didn't know before. I highly recommend this book!

A slice of life, with hope and positivity

The tellers’ enthusiasm and the accuracy of pronunciations and descriptions made it easy to be swept away in the wind of her story and a pleasure to listen to.

Fun read, that feels like African YA fiction

It’s a light, cute, fun read that feels like it could have been assigned as high school reading.

The book is about girlhood and friendships that transcend tribe, religious beliefs, and economic status.

We follow Abena on her summer break visit to her aunt’s shop in the busy Makola Market. There she meets another girl her age, Faiza, and forms an unlikely friendship.

I think Abena’s character was developed well. She starts out as a typical spoiled girl who attends a fancy American school in Ghana. Throughout the book, she begins to appreciate the opportunities afforded to her and the benefits of education, and she questions whether those from impoverished backgrounds are doomed to fail.

Abena also learns more about where her father comes from and a little about the history of African borders. She has a very good relationship with her father, which was heartwarming to read.

Overall, the book is a nice read. It leans a little into the young adult category, which was a bit different from my usual reads, but I liked that it had a mostly positive feel and a happy ending.

The narration was excellent. It made the story come to life.

A feel good story!

This was a refreshing listen and not to mention the narrator was perfect! I’ve discovered a new narrator that I’ll be tracking who did an excellent job bringing this story to life authentically—bravo!