The Door of No Return

 The Door of No Return

Bibliography

Alexander, Kwame. 2022. THE DOOR OF NO RETURN. New York, NY: Little, Brown & Company. ISBN 9780316441865

Plot Summary

Kofi is a young boy that lives in a community in Africa. He lives his life dreaming of becoming a man, pining after his crush, Ama, playing with his friend, Ebo, and swimming in the Offin river. After tragedy strikes involving his brother at a yearly competition, those that were wronged take their revenge, and Kofi becomes a part of it. Taken from his home and everything he has ever known, Kofi has to face many hardships and learn what it means to be brave and to find the courage inside of him and take what he has learned from those in his life to fight to return home.

Critical Analysis

Kwame Alexander's harrowing and emotional free-verse book, The Door of No Return, places us in a small community in Africa where we are introduced to a young boy named Kofi Offin. He is just like every other young boy; he goes to school and has a crush on one of his classmates and he plays with his best friend and he has a rivalry with his cousin. These first few poems are innocent and playful, which any young reader could relate to. We see this young boy as endearing and want everything to go right for him. We cheer him on during his fight with his cousin and find ourselves encouraging him in his swims and to confess his love for Ama. These poems make us care for him, which makes what happens later in the story tragic.

Alexander's story takes an extremely dark turn and this is where Kofi and his feelings and reflections all change. These poems contain such graphic and vivid imagery and dramatic language and the reader cannot help but become engrossed. The trials that we now realize that Kofi will have to face can become personal to some readers. Alexander does an amazing job of building up the character of Kofi and making him not just relatable but someone we want to see survive and win and find his freedom. We see how his surrounding and how the people that he knows (Ama, Nana Mosi) and comes to know (Auntie Afua, Two Fish) influence his actions and thoughts and what he sees as bravery and family. 

The Door of No Return is a powerful read, and it is still not the end of Kofi's journey. Alexander is a masterful author and brilliant with poetry and emotion, so I am looking forward to reading more and seeing if Kofi finds his way back home. 

Review Excerpts

The New York Times: "Meanwhile, “The Door of No Return” gives us a boy’s adventure story that will no doubt translate well to an animated film, with descriptions of the African landscape, a love story, the tragic consequences of human cruelty and the magical power of self-esteem."

Kirkus Reviews: "A riveting, not-to-be-missed trilogy opener that will leave readers invested in what is to come."

The Horn Book: "Themes of conflict within and between cultures, and of war and peace, hate and love, despair and hope are deeply embedded throughout this gripping tale that forefronts the humanity of those who were forced into slavery."

Connections

More by Kwame Alexander: The Crossover

                                              Out of Wonder

                                             The Undefeated

More Historical Fiction by African Americans: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

                                                                            Angel of Greenwood by Randi Pink

                                                                            Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Activity: Read the poem, "I Wish" from the book. Write a poem in a similar style.