Every Body Looking

Starred review from October 19, 2020
In this remarkable novel in verse, introspective Ada moves out of her Nigerian father’s home in Chicago to begin her freshman year at an unnamed historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she experiences the anxieties and rewards of living independently and making her own decisions. However, traumatic memories of her past persistently haunt Ada, particularly the volatile relationship she has with her estranged mother who suffers from addiction, the gendered expectations that accompany her father’s Christianity, and a childhood sexual assault. Uninspired by her accounting classes, Ada meets Kendra, a charismatic Black dancer, who encourages her to pursue her secret lifelong love of dance. As their relationship deepens beyond friendship, and dance becomes a priority, Ada must bridge the gaps between her past, her father’s projections of her future, and how she wants to define herself and her life. In this stunning debut for young adults, Iloh crafts succinct, beautiful poems to illustrate the difficulties of navigating the tangle of family history and obligation, the power of art to heal and express, and the strength it takes to chart an authentic, independent path. Ages 12–up. Agent: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Candice Iloh gives a gripping performance of this semi-autobiographical novel in verse. Listeners will meet Ada, the daughter of a Nigerian father who is unaccepting of American customs and an African-American mother who is mentally ill. Ada's life is difficult. Nonetheless, she explores her sexuality and wants to study dance rather than accounting. Iloh unhesitatingly portrays Ada in grade school and in college, where she experiences her first taste of freedom. This coming-of-age story is enhanced by an unflinching look at child sexual abuse and the pressure placed upon a first-generation immigrant to meet family expectations. Iloh excels with portraying the polar opposite parents and in contrasting bullying versus supportive classmates. Verse makes audio a must for this exceptional story. S.G.B. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Starred review from December 1, 2020

Gr 7 Up-This moving and lyrical coming-of-age story in verse is sensational and unforgettable. Burdened with heavy expectations at a young age, Ada struggles to figure out who she is underneath the mask she puts on to appease her parents and her peers. Her father is a Nigerian immigrant and her mother is an emotionally abusive African American woman dealing with mental health issues. Her father has custody and raises her in the church, setting very high standards for how she should look and behave. All Ada wants to do is dance and draw, but she is an obedient daughter and always puts her elders first. The story is told in alternating timelines between her time in public school and moving away to college. Listeners feel the anguish and inner turmoil as Ada struggles to peel back the mask that holds her in place. Flashbacks to painful moments from the past, e.g., being molested by a cousin, segue to painful moments in Ada's present. Expertly narrated by the author herself, this story is one listeners won't forget. VERDICT At times painful, but ultimately cathartic for Ada and listeners alike; impossible to put down.-Erin Cataldi, Johnson Cty. P.L., Franklin, IN

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