by Moses Ose Utomi, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023.
Moses Ose Utomi is a Nigerian American author who writes fantasy and science fiction novels. He obtained his MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and currently lives in Hawaii. His stories frequently draw inspiration and themes from West African culture.
Have you ever had to be brave when you did not think you could be? Daughters of Oduma tells the story of Sis Dirt of the Mud Family in the Isle community, a fictional place resembling West Africa. Dirt, now sixteen, retired from the fighting sport of Bowing, finds herself in a position to fight one again. However, she lacks confidence and does not think she can be as successful as she once was. When Webba, the most powerful fighter in the Mud Family, is injured in a fight, Dirt has to step up as the eldest in the group to fight in her place in the championship at the Grand Temple against a rival family.
As the story evolves, Webba tells Dirt she must be strong and brave. She encourages her to not let Useyi, The God of Forgotten Memories, have his way because he only wants failure. Dirt must stand with the spirit of Oduma the Defender, who is the God who protects the isle from Useyi and the Forgotten. In the story, Dirt realizes she has to fight smart. She may not be the strongest or fastest, but if she makes the right decisions with the right moves, she can win even while being ranked as a tenth seed, the lowest of the low out of all the fighters.
Girls get recruited to the Isle to become sisters within a chosen family under Antie Yaya, who presides over all families. The older sisters take them in and train them to be warriors. Antie Yaya “was sent by the Mamas and Papas to guide and protect the children of the Isle” (p. 108). While reading the story, one wonders what the purpose of the girls’ fighting is until it is clearly stated that “There was a world before this one … Where the Gods lived and loved … and fought … and through them, the children of the new world, the Gods return” (p. 108). The author makes beautiful connections between the spiritual and physical realms.
Dirt’s journey of self-discovery, overcoming doubt and fear, is truly inspiring. We all need a “Webba” in our lives – someone who recognizes our potential even when we can’t see it ourselves, and sometimes our family includes the people we choose to be a part of our lives.
What works: Woven throughout the narrative is the undeniable power of family whose love and support foster a sense of belonging and acceptance. Messages about body positivity are also a critical component of the story.
What doesn’t work: The journey from when Dirt learns she has to fight again to the final tournament is slow, which will be hard for readers who want to read fast-paced action stories. The characters also seem isolated from the outer world, and the description of their environment and background is lacking.
Pass It OR Grab It?: Grab it. Children and young adults who enjoy speculative fiction and fantasy will like the book, as well as those who are athletes and understand the dynamics of competition.
Content warning: There are fighting scenes in the book, including ones where characters are injured.
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