The Carnegies

I greatly enjoyed reading this book. One of the reasons why is because it is entertaining and provides a sense of drama throughout the story while also including an touch of romance and family rivalry. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an exciting story-line filled with love and danger . I also like how the author shows how different other cultures are but tells us at the same time that we are all humans and equal. Another positive about this book is that it includes the moral that members of the same family may not like each other we have to look after each other as there is no telling how long we have left with them.

Alice
Corsham Shadowers

This book is very heartwarming and sad, but it is a very real representation of the unfairness of slavery, and life in Africa years ago.

Ziva
TPS Carnegie Collective

The Door of No Return has a very memorable structure. It starts with an introduction of all the characters, growing into a tragedy and relatable capabilities. The title really matches with the story: opening doors into Kofi Offin's life, ending in a way unable to return to the original state, exiting the door once again. Additionally, this book is something that would be very well known for its unique structure: a poetry layout. Even though the layout is like a poetry book, it altogether creates one story, documenting mini chapters to Kofi Offin's life inside the immense moments. Another thing I find interesting about this story is that it is set in a different place: the Asante Kingdom, is a region in West Africa, now known as Ghana. This opens up a new culture to learn about and explore, bringing the community of Asante culture closer, while others delve into their daily lives and beliefs. Many people, including me, have not heard of this village/culture, making us quite curious to learn about it. If you are someone interested to learn about life elsewhere, this book is sure to expand your curiosity. The poetry layout delays time for me to understand the story, knowing that I am not really reading a poem. Although the layout is unique, making us remember this tale, I always have to read each page at least twice to understand the message. If you like historical fiction this is a book I would totally recommend, showing life in the mid 19th century, in the Asante Kingdom of West Africa. Overall, this book is definitely a tale I will remember for years, relatable to my experiences, however, the initial understanding was a slight issue to me. I would rate this book 8/10. From what I've read, I would consider this book most enjoyable/appropriate for people 12+, since it can be quite complex to comprehend, however, for the more experienced and curious readers, I would say people around age 10 may also find it engaging.

Krupa
Watford Girls

Rachael
Ousedale Shadow Chasers

I really liked this book because it was short punchy sections and it had a nice story line.

Samuel
Waddesdon Shadowers

I enjoyed the intricate writing used to detail the slave trade and the imaginative language used to illustrate the world using nothing but words.

Aaron
Harris Legends

There is a boy called Kofi Offin and his family are living in Africa. I really like the book because it shows friendship.

ELLIE J
VISTA Academy

The Door of No Return,” a Carnegie shortlisted book, is a great read with a meaningful ending. The story is interesting and keeps you engaged from start to finish. The author did a great job of creating a narrative that is both compelling and thought-provoking. The ending of the book is very powerful. It ties everything together in a way that feels satisfying and leaves a lasting impression. This meaningful conclusion makes the book even more memorable and impactful. I would highly recommend “The Door of No Return” to others. It’s a book that not only tells an interesting story but also explores important issues. It’s the kind of book that stays with you and makes you think long after you finish it. There are some very sad parts in “The Door of No Return.” These moments are emotional and make you feel deeply for the characters. They also make you think about different parts of history and society in a new way. Overall, “The Door of No Return” is a remarkable book with a powerful message. Its sad moments are balanced with hope and reflection, making it a well-rounded and impactful read. This is a book that many people would appreciate and benefit from reading.

Milena
St Augustine’s Challenge

Young Kofi on the banks of the river Offin. He loves these things than nothing his family, the fireside tales of his father’s father, a girl named Ama, and,. It is in the river that he feels peaceful and where he thinks he can finally prove himself in a race against his schoolyard rival. But the river also holds dark secrets that Kofi will soon discover. Parents have told Kofi never to go out there after nightfall but never told why, Kofi seeks his own answers. One night is all it takes to transform a life. As his world turns upside down, Kofi ends up on a harrowing journey that steals him away from everything he loves.

Methaya
VISTA Academy

It had a slow beginning in my opinion but it was an amazing book.

Sonia
EJM Carnegie Crew

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a book about Africa in the 19th century. It follows Kofi Offin and his family who live in Kwanta, divided into two, Upper and Lower Kwanta. Kofi’s horrible experiences shine light on a darker part of history. The novel delves into the themes war, peace, and community. We see Kofi’s feelings about all of these matters as he experiences them first-hand. This verse book is a captivating journey of close calls and near incidents. Kwame Alexander’s writing is phenomenal and breath-taking, making it almost impossible to put down. The evocative yet simplistic descriptions make this book an enticing read that is worth every minute.

Roisin
LC Best Books

Eva
The Dorothy Davies

I started reading The Door with No Return with high expectations, but unfortunately, I couldn't finish it because I didn't find it engaging. The poetic style of writing, while unique, felt disjointed to me and made it difficult to connect with the characters and the story. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to stay invested in the plot. While I appreciate the historical significance of the novel, it just didn't capture my interest enough to keep reading.

Julia
St Augustine’s Challenge

This book brought me on a rollercoaster of emotions – there was such a dynamic range in the feelings depicted, and were mostly expressed to such a vivid degree. Written in verse, this book presented the brutality and harshness of the transatlantic slave trade, but also the kindness and courage shown and given by people too. It presented a very human perspective of this piece of history, through the innocent eyes of Kofi (the main character and narrator), a child who, like many others, surely never deserved the outcome they received. The style of writing, especially the description, was beautiful and evocative, and the book also contained some nice proverbs too (one that stood out especially to me: ‘What you do not suffer for, you can never truly value.’). I did find that the foreshadowing present was quite predictable and gauging the relationships between characters near the beginning of the book a little difficult, but overall it was an informative book with lovely language and lots of emotions packed inside. 6.5/10

Lei
Perse Carnegians

The Door of No Return was really good and immersive. It was a bit slow to begin with, but was full of scene setting and emotions. It was an excellent page-turner with an exciting cliff-hanger ending. A relatively quick read, and I enjoyed the verse way of writing it has.

Emma
PHS Reading Ambassadors

The Door of No Return is a heartfelt book. Based on the character Kofi who lives in Upper Kwanta and loves swimming, his family and a girl named Ama. However, during the festival of the rival villages, a sudden death takes place during one of the events which Lower Kwanta take to heart. This sudden death has Kofi fighting for his life across the sea. Personally, I really liked how the book had its native language in it as myself being able to understand it was exciting and got be intrigued to read on more. However, the killing parts made me a bit grossed out thinking about it and that was what I didn’t like about it. My favourite character was probably Afua as she seemed like a very positive character who always had hope for the kids. Overall, I think this was one of my favourite books and I would recommend it to those 12+ as there some scenes which are described in a gruesome way. I would rate this book a 9/10.

Esi
The Fitzharrys Shadows

This was the first novel-in-verse that I have read and I was pleasantly surprised; I thought the writing flowed beautifully. I was gripped by the story of Kofi and found the text fast paced. This story dives into love, loss, and betrayal and also shows how insidious slavery is. It could be a bleak novel but it is full of hope and even at the end the reader is left with a sense that things are somehow going to work out for Kofi.

JPrince
Tenbury Page Turners

The Door of No Return is a fantastic book that deeply portrays the lives of thousands of people who were enslaved and of how they lived before they were captured and forced to be enslaved people. It tells the story of Kofi Offin who is an excellent swimmer and lives in upper Kwante. He is extremely competitive with his cousin who is disrespectful to him. However, when his brother kills the prince of lower Kwante in a wrestling competition his life is turned into a violent battle to survive, especially when the darkness of slavery tries to engulf him. I really enjoyed reading The Door of No Return, and it was extremely exciting however some of the chapters horrified me in the way that Kofi Offin was treated. Overall, it is a fantastic book, and I would highly recommend it.

Alex
OLA Shadows

The Door of no return is about a boy called Kofi who after challenging his cousin to a swimming competition gets tangled up in the rivalry between two villages after an accidental death at a festival and is now fighting for his life. I found the book nice and I especially enjoyed the book being completely written in verse, however I found the book to be a bit boring in particular areas. When reading the story I felt like I was reliving some of my old summer memories. I was especially surprised by the ending and found it unique and interesting. My favourite character in the story may be Kofi’s older brother Kwasi. I would recommend this book to people ages 13-16 who like adventure and historical fiction stories about family and friends but in conclusion i think the door of no return was a good book with amazing twists although it can be a bit boring sometimes but altogether i think it’s a good book and would definitely recommend it to other readers.

Archie
OLA Shadows

The Door of No Return is a book about a boy from West Africa in what is nowh Ghana called Kofi and shows the horrors of the slave trade. His brother gets murdered in a challenge in the village and Kofi gets kidnapped to be sent off to be a slave. I liked this book as it shows the challenges of what people in the slave trade went through but I didn’t like that it finishes so abruptly. I would have liked more detail on what happened at the end and what happened after that, but I guess it has been left for our interpretation.

Zoe
OLA Shadows

I found ‘The door of no return’ quite boring and confusing. However, it has got a very unique structure and writing style. The storyline was also quite eye-opening as it describes the day to day life of a boy in the Upper and Lower Kwanta in West Africa, which is not something I usually read. Overall, I would give the book a 2.5/5

Megan
SJB Book Club

The door of no return was an interesting book that shows the importance and backstory of Africans forced to leave their homes to become a slave. I thought that this book was brilliant book that is in verse and Kofi's village is vividly depicted masterfully. this tragic story is shot full through with hope. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy hearing the other side of these historical tales.

Ashley
VISTA Academy

The door of no return As his world turns upside down, Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life. Kofi has challenged his cousin to a swimming competition and is practising hard. But when a sudden death occurs during a festival between rival villages, Kofi ends up fighting for his life. His world is changed forever and there is no return. I would recommend this book to people who like learning about history and would like to be educated about the past.

alex
Glossopdale Readers

The Door of no Return is a book where you want to turn to the next page.The part i like is when Kofi Offin brother (Akra) accidentally kills the king's son and gets turned into a slave at the end of the book. I would recommend this book to 13-16 year old because it's a mature book for this day and age. The layout of this book doesn’t bore you it's quick and easy to read as it only has 2 paragraphs on one page.

Eisa
Glossopdale Readers

In the book there is a book there is a boy called Kofi Offin and his family are living in West Africa. I like the book because it shows friendship where is mainly shown by them all practicing for the swimming contests.

Kayden T
VISTA Academy

The Door of No Return" by Kwame Alexander is a powerful historical novel set in the 19th century, focusing on the life of Kofi Offin, a young boy from Upper Kwanta, a village in what is now Ghana. Kofi lives a relatively peaceful life, enjoying swimming in the river, playing with his friends, and harboring a crush on Ama. However, his life takes a dramatic turn during a swimming competition that ends in tragedy, leading to a series of events that uproot him from his idyllic existence. Kofi is captured and forced into the brutal reality of the transatlantic slave trade. The story captures his harrowing journey from his homeland to the slave ship, encapsulating the fear, loss, and hope experienced by those who were taken. The title refers to the "Door of No Return," a symbolic gateway through which enslaved Africans passed, leaving their homes forever. I enjoyed reading this book as it's not every day you come across a poem based book with such power and meaning coated inside. I highly recommend as it portrays the topic of slavery and what their emotions may be.

Mikaila
LC Best Books

The Door of No Return was super intense and emotional. It's about this guy named Kofi who gets captured and sold into slavery, which is just the worst thing ever. The way Kwame Alexander writes makes you feel like you're really there, seeing everything happen. You can picture the sights and sounds of 18th century Africa so clearly. Kofi goes through so much suffering, but he never gives up. That part was inspiring, even though a lot of the book was really sad. Overall, it's an important story that makes you think about how awful slavery was. I'm glad I read it, even if it was hard set at times.

Joe
Perse Carnegians

I really enjoyed this book and it's rhythmic use of language throughout the verses. This story follows Kofi on his journey through childhood and the growing threats in his life. 'The Door Of No Return' is definitely a book I would recommend to ages eleven and above as it deals with some difficult themes.

Gwen
Pride and Paperbacks

The Door of No Return was about a young boy named Kofi Offin, who has to fight for his life and freedom. I enjoyed this book because I learned more about African culture and a different way of life. The end of the book was a real cliff-hanger and it will leave all the readers curious about what will happen next.

Sebastian H
Ermysted’s

Kwarme Alexandra takes readers on a powerful journey through the history of the transatlantic slave trade in "The Door of No Return". The Author sheds light on harsh realities faced by enslaved Africans and their descendants with vivid descriptions and emotional accounts. The Door of No Return invites readers to reflect on the impact of the slave trade and its enduring legacy through her words. I liked it due to it being based on historical facts, which I could link to my own knowledge. I was not expecting the story to be based on slavery from the title, but it makes sense after reading it. I would rate it 3.5/5 stars as it was an interesting read but I preferred other books in the awards.

Jesse
Horsham BOok HUNTers

The Door of No Return is an extraordinary story, sharing the experiences of many people during the transatlantic slave trade. Set in 1860 in Africa, this historical fiction includes some wonderful references to the Asante people, and their rich culture. I greatly enjoyed reading it, and it has convinced me to read even more novels written in blank verse, as I found it such a moving, and also harrowing story. Set in Upper Kwanta in the Asante Kingdom, the novel follows the story of Kofi Offin. Part of a large family, he is always outshined by his cousin - who is also called Kofi. However, Kofi Offin is supported by his brother (Kwasi), his best friend (Ebo), and the object of his affection (Ama). So, one day, he challenges his cousin to a swimming race. Whilst he is practising, he gets abducted by some men from Lower Kwanta, in order to repay their community for the death of their soon-to-be king (whom Kwasi accidentally killed during a competition). Kofi Offin and many other people are kept captive, and despite their many attempts so escape, are put on a ship to the Americas. At the end, Kofi Offin breaks free from the ship and reconciles with his cousin, as they attempt to swim back to Africa. The Door of No Return contains several key themes: slavery; tribal war; and race. The way in which these are explored is sensitive, yet also rather frank. There is no beating about the bush in Alexander’s storytelling. Instead, he just states what happened, yet in a beautiful, delicate way. The theme of slavery was explored when Kofi and his new friends were loaded onto ships - presumably to be sent to plantations in the Caribbean. Tribal war is also a key theme because Lower Kwanta and Upper Kwanta evidently have many disputes, and the King of Lower Kwanta begins to take people from Upper to sell to the white men in exchange for weapons and alcohol. Finally, race is also extremely important in this novel. One can easily see a divide between the ‘Wonderfuls’ in the Cape Coast Castle, and everyone else in the country. An example of how culturalism was demonstrated in the novel was how their teacher was determined to speak in English and made them stay behind after school to study Shakespearean plays as punishment for bad behaviour. I have read a lot of historical fiction before, however, not a lot of it has been related to slavery or race. I would like to read more novels on this subject in order to further educate myself about African culture, and also European colonialism and imperialism in the nineteenth century. Kwame Alexander has published a number of other books, and this is to be the first in a trilogy - I greatly look forward to the rest. Even though I don’t have a massive amount of knowledge on this topic, I can tell that the story has been impeccably researched, and well thought through. I’m sure there are many similarities between this novel and others from the young adult/historical fiction genres. In my opinion, this could be classified as a young adult novel because of both Kofi’s age, and his relationship with Ama. It also contains hints towards rape and sexual assault. The book gets its name from the infamous ‘Door of No Return’ in Ghana, through which millions of black people were sent during the era of the transatlantic slave trade. There are still many tragic tales passed around in West Africa of this time. This novel helps to remind us of the past, and some of the terrible events that happened in it. The book also feels so modern and the characters so relatable that it provokes a certain sense of fear in the reader. In conclusion, I found it to be an intriguing and inspirational novel. Full of things that happen in everyday life, and full of haunting reminders of the past, The Door of No Return is one of the best books I have read in some time and should be read by every young adult. Whilst that may be a very profound statement, I believe it to be just. This book definitely deserves the medal and was certainly worthy of a place on the shortlist.

Flora
Ely College Reading Group

This book is about a boy named Kofi. The book is set in Africa and is in 1800. In this book Kofi has to practice to beat his older cousin in a swimming race. Later on Kofi’s older cousin accidentally killed Prince Yaw and then gets killed while Kofi is held captive. Then after a shipwreck they reunited and swam away together. I really liked the book. However sometimes I found it a little confusing in some places. Overall 4/5.

Will
Horsham BOok HUNTers

The book 'The door of no return' was very informative and interesting. I enjoyed reading it a lot, although some of the content was very sad and made me emotional, which helps me to emphasize with people from these communities and the struggles they often face. I would recommend this book for audiences of children older than 13 years old, as the themes were quite distressing. Also, the book was quite difficult to read as it incorporated using traditional language and verse, which younger readers may struggle with. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.

Tess
Perse Carnegians

The Door Of No Return is a book about the slave trade and is based in the 19th century. The book follows Kofi Offin's childhood and his childish competitions. It focuses on the pleasures of childhood. However, when Kofi challenges his uptight cousin to a swimming race he becomes very competitive. This really shows the competition between family, especially younger members. The book then continues with Kofi being taken into the slave trade and losing many people in quick succession. This book has a focus on loss and really crates a feeling of sadness in the reader as well as why the slave trade was so bad and not to happen again.

Isaac
Perse Carnegians

This book featured a brave character called Kofi who is captured and taken from his homeland. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the others because while it explored the powerful idea of a child losing his identity and being forced into the scary adult world at such a young age, the chapters were short while the story seemed to drag out. I liked learning about parts of Asante culture. However, despite being a powerful and emotional theme, it's a common plot throughout many books. The poetic structure and concise chapters definitely made it slightly more unique but it was far too slow-paced for me to truly be engaged. I would rate this book 5/10.

Nusaiba
Plashet School

I thought this was a very unique book and really enjoyed the story and the connection in the family's history. I thought the book was a bit slow but I did enjoy reading it!

Ben
Denbigh Shadowing Group

The transition from the simplicity of everyday life to the sudden abduction of Kofi creates a powerful narrative filled with emotions and challenges. The themes of war, peace, hate and love, alongside hope and despair, seem deeply-rooted in this heart-wrenching story. The contrast between the normal, commonplace and the shocking, devastating events make the story even more impactful and empathetic. “The Door Of No Return” is a book that truly touches the reader’s heart and leaves a long-lasting impression.

Philippa
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

It was a captivating novel that followed the journey of a young boy who discovers his family history and grapples with his own identity! It was a very good book on self-discovery! And it sheds light on the horrifying realities of slavery. I loved it!

Isabel
Plymstock Readers 24

This book is about a boy called Kofi who is pressured into leaving his home town and forced to become a slave. I love where he tells us his inner perspective and I think this author has given me a different perspective of life as he talks about how in reality we are all slaves to the system when we pay our debts and how some families have barely enough to eat at times. I also love how the book was structured and it's not like your normal typical book it is more fun. It is written by Kwame Alexander and I would rate this a 8.5 out of 10. However, I did this find this a bit annoying how they come to the country that ruined them and not flee further away from that country.

Sana
Plashet School

I liked this book and it was emotive. I found that the end disappointed me because it just ended with him in the sea.

William
The John Mason Shadowers

This was a very interesting book. It was a book about the impacts of slavery in Africa instead of America. Most books are about slavery in America and it was interesting how they were sold in Africa.

William
HAYES BOOKSTOPS

The door of no return was one of my favourite books and as the author put it, is a story that needed to be told and it follows a boy, almost 13 years old called Kofi Offin, in his everyday life (playing a game with his grandfather or his brother, going to school or swimming in the river) up until he goes swimming with his brother one night and he ends up being taken to a place with other children and women and he ends up on a massive ship with his cousin in the middle of the sea not knowing where it's sailing to. I really liked this book but I need another because the worst thing in a book is a cliffhanger and no sequel so I hope to see what happens next to Kofi and his cousin. I would recommend this to anyone who likes poetry and history and would rate it a 5/5.

Aoife
Euro Bookworms

This book was good because it taught me a lot about the boys culture. However I did find it quite confusing in some parts as it didn't always explain things very clearly. I found it quite emotional at some points which set it apart from other free verse books , as some of them I find very emotionless . Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and give it a 7/10 .

Holly H
VISTA Academy

The book is about a boy called Kofi who lives in the Asante region of Africa. It is set in 1800. In the book we learn about Kofi's village and his friends and family. Kofi is an excellent swimmer and has to practise to beat his elder cousin in a swimming race. But life changes as his older brother accidently kills Prince Yaw in a fighting competition. Kwasi and Kofi then get kidnapped and Kwasi is brutally killed while Kofi is held captive with lots of others. In the end Kofi is reunited with his cousin after a ship wreck and they swim away together. I enjoyed the book but it was difficult to read and understand because of the way the book is worded in Asante story telling origin.

Elis
West Monmouth

The door of no return is a must read because it contrives the plot of the slave trade it shows the lives of the people of Gold Coast. It being a verse novel, makes it really easy to understand and it’s just a wonderful book in general

Kethlynn
Rad readers

The Door of No Return is an emotionally challenging book because of the heart wrenching, page turning things that happen. It reflects the challenges for countries of the commonwealth. It reflects the thought of England and English language at the time. This is about a 13-year-old boy Kofi and his brother Offin. It’s an eye-opening story about the slavery and child abuse at the time. This is about death and life, the rich and the poor, gold and power and the mis-use of control for bad not good! I believe any power should be used for the good of all. This is the heart wrenching and indulging story of Ghana (Africa) and Britain invasion 1860. My personal view of this dark story is it was a good read but a very cruel story with disturbing facts of death and hard punishments.

Ivy
Larkmead

I enjoyed reading this book. I really liked the storyline and learning about the main character, Kofi, and his relationship with his friends and family. The end section of the book were Kofi gets captured was very well written and the ending was great.

Max
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The door of no return by Kwame Alexander. In my opinion this book was a great read for me as I enjoyed it very much, and I think a lot of other kids around the world would enjoy this book to. In this book it represents the story of a young 11 year old boy called Kofi Offin,he lived in a village in upper Kwanta. He ended getting stolen from his home village and brought into slavery. But the what does the book symbolise? This book symbolises that Millions and Millions of Africans were taken on ships and sent all over the United Sates of America. (Spoiler for the ending ) Kofi Offin and his cousin end up going on a brave swimming race……

Harry
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I wasn't as big of a fan of this book because I don't really feel like it should have been laid out like a series of poems. It would have been better as a regular book. Personally I liked the storyline behind it and feel like it showed an accurate representation of what slaves went through. If I had the chance to start it again without knowledge on what happened, I would.

Kira
VISTA Academy

The door of no return. This book made me feel compassionate to the main characters since they went through so much. The main plot of the story follows Kofi Offin and his family who live in West Africa in the 19th century. The first half of the book is simply told and there’s an everyday quality to the story with childhood rivalries, friendship, practising for swimming contests (which is kofis extraordinary talent) and love. It details the lives, loves and daily experiences of Upper and Lower Kwanta in West Africa. Kofi’s abduction drags you away from the lovely story to one with great peril and many losses along the way this is what makes you feel empathic when he almost loses everything. Themes of war and peace, hate and love, alongside hope and despair are deeply rooted through this crushing story.in this story I love how Kwame used different tongues and words to show how great his characters are allowing me to get to understand what they are meaning by using the glossary. I feel like I connected with Kofi the most though not as intense as his story, but I still have had similar experiences.

Imaani
TPS Carnegie Collective

The Door Of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a book about a boy called Kofi Offin who lives in West Africa. It tells about how good he is at swimming, his crush on a girl and his rivalry with his cousin. That was nice. I had never read a book about this place in this time period before, and it was really cool! About half way through the book, however, it gets pretty dark and sad. His brother gets himself into some trouble and suddenly nothing is the same anymore. The sudden tonal shift really surprised me, but I actually really liked it! So many books are really predictable, but just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I found that I was VERY wrong. That was really fun. At parts, the book made me very sad, which I like because it makes reading the book more interesting. Another thing I wasn't expecting was the ending. I'm not going to spoil anything, but that surprised me a lot. I couldn't believe the book just ended there. I wanted to know more, and was left frustrated, but I wasn't mad about it honestly. It is so interesting the way the book is written with so many plot twists and cliffhangers, which I don't see very often. All in all, I really liked it and would highly recommend!

Sophie
Euro Bookworms

It was a sad, but sweet story about slavery, and yet freedom. It is very nicely written, and encouraged me to follow my dreams, and to listen more to myself, instead of others.

Ziva-Gabrielle
TPS Carnegie Collective

I enjoyed this book and it is about a boy named Kwasi who is trying to survive in modern day Ghana. My favourite part of this book was in the arena when Kwasis brother killed the other kings son. However after this there was a dark turn putting Kwasis life and many more in jeopardy.

dexter
VISTA Academy

I think this book was really good but just not for me because of the story line and I feel like I like more of a different type of fiction.

Vaishnavi
TCOLC Perfictionists

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a compelling novel written in verse that follows the life of Kofi Offin, a young boy living in a Ghanaian village in the 19th century. Kofi's world is filled with family, friendship, and cultural traditions, but his life undergoes a dramatic change when he is captured and forced into the brutal reality of the transatlantic slave trade. The novel takes a dark turn as the reader takes part in Kofi's journey, and he confronts unimaginable challenges. The difference in maturity between The Door of No Return and the other books on the Carnegie shortlist is more than noticeable. In The Door of No Return, Kwame Alexander discusses subjects such as suicide, death, enslavement, and sexual assault with tact and depth, all while telling his story in verse, a task that is anything but easy and unchallenging. Altogether, The Door of No Return is a beautifully tragic novel that puts forward topics that have been ignored for far too long.

Marie-Anne CI
4Shadowers

The fact that the entire narrative is told in verse in 'The Door of No Return' makes the story seem like a song and the reader is the one deciding the rhythm. Indeed, there are imposed stanzas but the reader decides how to read it, how to interpret it. In stressful situations (the shipwreck, for example), the stanzas are shorter, therefore the rhythm is more rapid and the reader has some sort of rap song in their mind. When the narrator describes Kofi’s peaceful life, the novel seems like a pleasant, soothing melody. When Kofi and the other fellow captured children are kidnapped, I personally read it as an aggressive, violent song that one wouldn’t enjoy listening to in the morning.

Celestine L
4Shadowers

The Door of No Return was a Phenomenal read and had a remarkably interesting plot. This book really shone a light on a part of African history that I feel is usually never really mentioned in most European countries. As kidnapping of people of colour and different religions made European history never brought up. Kofi and Offin are forced to learn more about the English culture rather than their own by their teacher Mr Goodluck Phillip after a trip to London, the capital of England. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 for sure!

Lily
Larkmead

Personally, I really enjoyed the themes and topics this book goes over. It's what we as children are seeing right now. Each character, I noticed, represented something. Towards the end of the book, the course changed, which I found quite fascinating. Out of the 4 books I've read so far, I would place this 3rd. However, they were all extremely good books. I do recommend this book though, to perhaps audiences of about 13-17. It is a more mature read. It may be more interesting to others, than it was to me, because I have problems staying engaged in reading.

Zoe
Perse Carnegians

I liked the layout of this book and I liked the how it ended like it was leading onto something else.

Lara
Fortismere

This was an ok book for me because it had a deep plot and an interesting ending to the plot and the story so the structure of the story was good but not my sort of book that I would read.

Hamza
Ermysted’s

I have recently finished reading the door of no return by Kwame Alexander. I think it was a really interesting read and I enjoyed it very much. I liked the use of poems to tell the story and I think for this book it worked very well. It was really interesting to read this book because it was about a topic I've never read before. I think Kwame managed to send his message across brilliantly and his writing style is very good. The plot really made me believe I was there. The ending was quite abrupt but I think it worked quite well for this book. It was a bit of a cliff-hanger and it made me really want to know what happened next. I think when used correctly, cliff-hangers are a really nice feature to add as they give the reader an opportunity to imagine what happens next. Overall, I would give this book a 4/5 stars.

Anabelle
Burford School

At first I really enjoyed this book. It was good. The title definitely drawn me to the book because it was intruiging and exciting. When I was reading I felt the character's emotions. However nearer to the end, I felt it was quite repetitive and started to bore me a little. Overall, I like the book, the structure is really nice just the ending was a bit boring.

Grootie
Burford School

I liked parts of this book because of its great story near the end and the verse format. Although the first few chapters are a bit confusing later in the story it covers topics like slavery when Kofi gets kidnapped. This was not my favorite book as I found some parts a bit dull.

JJ
Fortismere

This book is about a young boy and his family. After his brothers death, he is kidnapped and made to be a slave. I rate this book 3 out of 5

Hayaam
The Reading Queens

I really like this book actually than expected! This book is historical fiction and is written in poetic form. Usually I don't like poetry but this has changed my opinion on it as I love history too! SPOILER ALERT! Kofi Offin, a young boy living in Upper Kwanta in the Asante kingdom in 1860 (now Ghana), enjoys spending time with his friend Ebo, swimming in the river, and trying to gather the courage to talk to the beautiful Ama. However, he is faced with challenges such as school, where English is the preferred language over Twi by their teacher, and a rivalry with his bully cousin who also has eyes for Ama. In order to prove himself and win Ama's heart, Kofi has challenged his cousin to a swimming competition and is determined to practice hard to come out victorious. READ MORE TO FIND OUT!! I would rate it 9/10

Samarah
Plashet School

This book was very interesting. The book is focused on a character called kofi who was an innocent boy but then he suddenly got kidnapped at a festival and was taken to a castle and put on a slave ship. It was a bit confusing when it started talking about the slave trade because it felt like I was reading a different book. Overall I enjoyed reading this book and it was one of my favourite Carnegie books.

Yusuf c
Ermysted’s

This novel is written as two very different stories. In the first story, the reader learns about Kofi Offin’s normal, carefree childhood near Kumasi in the Asante Kingdom, East Africa. His growing up is dramatically interrupted when his brother kills the prince of a rival tribe and Kofi Offin is kidnapped, along with several others from his tribe, and is sold to the British as a slave in retaliation. The second story tells of the journey into slavery and its physical and emotional hardships. It is a very moving tale that demonstrates the injustice of enslaving fellow humans and the damage it causes. Told through verse, the descriptions of people and places are brief and effective, giving the reader a clear insight into Kofi’s world. The characters felt real, like people you might meet today, despite being set over a century ago. Life on board the slave ship was authentically portrayed and cleverly contrasted with his uneventful childhood in his tribal village. In a matter of days, his life transformed from safe and carefree to life-threatening, vividly described in the torture and brutal death of his older brother. This marks a turning point after which the slaves are bundled into the ship and an unknown future. The narrative is engaging and the reader wants to know what happens to Kofi in the end, however, we are left not knowing his fate which in some ways was a little disappointing. But maybe this is the point: we do not know what happened to so many of those sold into slavery.

Gabriel
Euro Bookworms

The Door of No Return stuck out to me because the author was one that I knew before. Kwame Alexander wrote a book I loved called The Crossover which was a great book and a show on Disney+ so when I heard he made a book about Ghana (where I'm from and where he is from) I knew he would represent Ghana well. This book made me laugh, be on the edge of my seat in suspense and it made me cry. this book follows a boy called Kofi Offin named after he Offin river, he gets kidnapped the day before a race.

Kwame
The Spawforth Shadowers

The Carnegie book the door of no return is about the main character Kofi who challenges a swimming race against his brother/cousin Kwasi. Throughout the book kofi starts swimming and finds a new way of swimming that will make him very fast. Kwasi accidently ended killing an opponent which ended in a very bad event. After this kofi loses all hope of anything and eventually gets ensalved ,I think, and that’s why the book is called the door of no return. Because kofi has no return to his old life. I quite enjoyed this book but like the other book "the boy in the lost maze" its wriiten the same, and I don’t really enjoy this type of writing because sometimes it can be quite hard to understand what is going on because it flicks between different parts.

scarlett
Sidcot Shadowers

Really sad but enjoyable and well written

Ellie
GreatB00ks

I think this was a good book as it had some funny moments and had a good storyline. It also had a bit of a different theme as well as the lifestyle.

Zak Dad
Ermysted’s

This book was sadly read during the voting so, sadly, I had cast a vote before I had read this fully. Even so, I can still say that I thoroughly enjoyed this. At first, I believed the writing in verse could affect my enjoyment but it did not. The ending makes me wonder what happened to the main character, a good way to entice me into a sequel (as of writing, I do not know if there is one) and I believe others will agree

Jacob
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

I really didn't like this book, I love other books by this particular writer (like Rebound) but didn't feel the same spark with this one. Not the best of the shortlist. I really struggled reading this book because of the structure. I also couldn't really follow the plotline

Amber
Fortismere

The Door of No Return” by Kwame Alexander is the first book in a searing trilogy that tells the story of a boy, a village, and the epic odyssey of an African family. Set in Upper Kwanta, the novel follows 11-year-old Kofi, who loves his family, playing oware with his grandfather, and swimming in the river Offin. However, he’s warned never to go to the river at night due to the mysterious “beasts.” One fateful night, tragedy strikes, and Kofi’s world turns upside down. The novel takes readers on a harrowing journey across land and sea, away from everything Kofi loves. With lyrical prose and compelling storytelling, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding tale that opens eyes and breaks hearts. This important book is ideal for classroom discussion. A riveting trilogy opener, “The Door of No Return” leaves readers invested in what is to come, as Kofi’s life takes unexpected turns in West Africa’s Asante Kingdom.

Ronald LI
4Shadowers

I loved this book for many reasons, one of them is that the main character actually felt like an eleven year old, which I find is quite rare with books from young adult or children’s perspectives. Furthermore, I loved the description of the indigenous Kwanta culture and how the unity was being torn apart not just by internal rivalry but also by westerners. The book demonstrates the importance of staying true to your culture and traditions and passing this knowledge down though the next generations. I also really enjoyed the metaphorical and literal title that suits this book so well.

Jenny
Perse Carnegians

The Door of No Return is about Kofi Offin, an eleven year old boy living in Upper Kwanta, in the Asante Kingdom in Western Africa (where Ghana is nowadays). Kofi also has a rivalry with his cousin, soon leading to a swimming contest which he is determined to win. It is written in verse which I found easy to read, but it took a while for me to get interested in the story. There were long introductions to the characters and the place, but once the story began to move past that it became more exciting. I enjoyed that it was a historical story set in the 19th century, and I learnt about the Trans-Atlantic slave trade from a slave’s perspective. I wouldn’t recommend The Door of No Return to younger readers, as there are a few events that would need further explanation and might not be appropriate subjects. Overall, I would rate The Door of No Return 7/10.

Maria
Larkmead

I enjoyed this book. Firstly, through-out the book, I was consistently on my toes wanting to find out more. Intelligent language I though was used to express Kofi's feelings which gave me a real understanding on how the story shifted throughout. Kofi and his brother didn't share the greatest relationship that's what set up a rivalry between, which was expressed with hate and peace at some times. Overall I quite enjoyed this book. Maybe if there were longer pages I think I would have enjoyed it even more.

oliver
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I enjoyed the contrast between the two halves of the book, in the first half we get to experience Kofi’s everyday life, worries and loves, but then we transition into the much more dramatic second half of the book. The writing of the book allows for more faced paced reading while still managing to convey a good plot filled with a wide range of complex emotion. This covers some difficult topics but doesn’t weigh down too much in that regard, that doesn’t mean it stifles any emotion rather it is honest and provides a much more human perspective to the history we already know.

Amelie
Perse Carnegians

“The Door of No Return” by Kwame Alexander follows the main character- Kofi’s wild adventure across land and sea, taking him on the eye opening journey to slave trade.

Katie- Louise
AKS Carnegie

I found this book really engaging and interesting, especially because the characters are so easy to empathise with. At first, the verse structure threw me off but I came to really enjoy it, it made the book even more of a page-turner and I loved that such important topics and themes were explored in a really accessible and absorbing way.

Jenny
Lionheart24

This book is written in the enticing form of poetry. The story is powerful and well written. The formatting on the page is also very superb as certain words are bigger or smaller, or in italics to show who's speaking. The book follows a boy who's brother accidentally kills a prince and gets caught up in the Father's want for revenge. He is taken prisoner. Would 100% recommend

divya
Watford Girls

This is a book about a boy who is called Cofi in an African tribe called the Asante's. I genuinely liked this book because the writing was like an un-educated boy writing it, as the Asante and other tribes in Africa didn't have good education. Another thing that I liked was that they have symbols for what the chapter represented and you could see this in the back of the book with the definitions. One thing that they could incorporate is a more messy type of writing style to really emphasise how they lived and how they wrote. Who would enjoy this? People who like history and action and also love stories in a sort of way.

Stanley
SCC Prolific Bookers

Kofi has a positive attitude and he is brave too. Kofi is a challenger and a swimmer too. some of the words were a little tricky but it is a good read.

Caleb and Rudra
ST PAULS STARS

I really enjoyed this book because it shows the reality that some people live in and it was really easy to understand. It had a very important perspective on The Slave Trade.

bella
Kingdown 24

The book is about an eleven year old boy, named Kofi. He and Ama, a girl he likes, are constantly being picked on by Koffi's cousin, Ebo. When they meet at the river, they get their revenge on Ebo - not realizing that there is a secret lurking in the water... Overall, I thought this book was 'average' - I am not really a fan of 'teen' books, so I was not particularly motivated by the story, although I liked some of the dramatic aspects of the plot (how they kept secrets in the story and how Koffi stood up to Ebo), although I found the way that some of the sentences were written did not make sense for me and I didn't think the writing was very descriptive. (2 stars out of 5).

Nadirah
Rockwood Reads

I really liked how they showed the emotion throughout the story. It went from a young boy in competition with his cousin and ends with him saving his cousin, showing that family really is important. Kofi really understood the importance of family by the end of the story because he had suffered so much, the death of his brother and friends. I really liked how the author showed the emotional torture that the slaves went through, showing the pains of extremely young children and to how horrible it really was for them in that time and the pain of being taken away from your family. The book showed the range of emotions through Kofi and showed how heartbroken he was when his brother died. Towards the end, I thought that Kofi started to understand that he had taken advantage of his family and didn’t understand the importance of family until too late. Until, he ended up saving his cousin. I was satisfied with this ending, even though I know that they probably would not have made it back to safety, it was heart-warming to see Kofi understand that family were the most important thing and matured to see that childish competition shouldn’t get in the way of your relationship with your family. I feel like he realised that his life before was far away and that the competition with his cousin just seemed childish, because he had suffered so much and missed his family. I also really loved the soldier who tried to help them, because even though he knew he would suffer, he realised that the children didn’t deserve it at all and tried to free them. Overall, I really liked the book because it was very emotional and showed the importance of family.

Aisling
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

Amelia
The John Mason Shadowers

I actually really this book due to the fact that it talks about a different culture that don't usually come across and I personally really enjoy learning about different cultures. This book opened my eyes to the reality of some people and left me hopeful but heartbroken at the same time.

Maimuna
Plashet School

This book, in my opinion, was exceptional. A masterpiece of delicately pieced-together poetry that conveys one of the strongest messages in any book I've read: assumption. Assumption of Black people's origins. Assumption of their history. Assumption of their day-to-day lives. It all comes together to show a different aspect of African culture: one that's not associated with slavery, or discrimination, or any Western interferences; rather the culture of pre-slavery Africans who lived their lives in just as much of a traditional and thriving community as any other culture on Earth. I love the poems, their ability to convey messages with style. The words fit so nicely on the page , showing the author's dedication and motivation to write a book about something he believed was not widely publicised (which is true). I wasn't, however, fond of the dialogue style, which followed no punctuation rules and read very messily; you couldn't tell who said what in some lines, and felt a bit chaotic, in my opinion. The historical accuracy that was mixed into the page-turning plot line kept me reading throughout the whole book, which I thoroughly enjoyed and would certainly recommend.

Muadh
Ermysted’s

In my opinion The Door of no return is an amazing story. It follows a boy called Kofi who lives in upper Kwanta in the Asante Kingdom. He is being toted by a English teacher who regularly beats his students ( this story takes place when slaves were a popular thing in Europe ). This is all I will say but this story takes a dark turn by the end. In conclusion this story is a masterpiece but it gets quite brutal with things like slaves, murder and child trafficking I believe the best age to read are 11+ so you can understand the deep meaning of the story.

Filipe
Blake Student Shadowers

The door of no return is a wonderful book to read, which tells the story of a young boy named Kofi Offin in Africa in a fight for his life. I love the poetic looking writing style used, as it ropes the reader into the story. my favourite character is Kofi's brother: Kwame.

Ralph
Bookwizards

It was a great book looking into other countries traditions and beliefs.

Logan
Madras Carnegie Shadows

Written in Kwame Alexander's signature verse style, this novel is an exploration of culture and belonging. I really engaged with the character's love for his family and desire to honour his cultural heritage. A book about overcoming challenges, steeped in the rich history of Asante society.

Emma Leslie
CFC Carnegies

For this book, I had thought that it was very peaceful at the start (everything was going well, family happy and a great location to live) but then, everything changed as a festival happened. My favourite poem was probably 'Grounded' as it showed her being assaulted by other people and her being very fearful. I thoroughly enjoyed the contrast of this book and it's 'people' character.

An C
Ermysted’s

The text of the book is like a poem, short and nice. The book showed some of the true colours of the world, making it seem more realistic and relatable to a few communities. I loved this book as it didn't use long and confusing words. One of my favourite books :)

Seren
Royal Readers and Where To Find Them?

"The Door Of No Return " is a book about a young boy named Kofi Offin , living in the 19th century . The Story talks about the rivalry between Koffi and his cousin and also talks about festival that koffis brother participates which doesnt end well at all . The story talks about daily experiences in life ,in the upper and lower Kwanta in West Africa . I would rate this book a 2.5/5. The book was confusing at first for me and didnt build up the the big twist in the story . However I liked the descriptive use of words that the author used to set an image in the readers mind . Overall I was a bit disappointed by the book .

Paula
Lionheart24

I’ll be honest at the start I wasn’t really loving it but then I continued to read it and by the end I was hooked I found it so sad that Kofi saw his brother die really unfortunate and then he was taken on a slave ship but the he flew with his former enemy an amazing book worth a read can’t wait for the next one!

Liana
Ullswater Readers

I love this book especially the end because of how the main character makes up with his cousin after being stuck on the slave trade ship I'm sad though that his brother dies however I do believe that It is essential to the plot and shows just how difficult and painful these people's lives can be

Bethany
SuAS Shadows

The Door of No Return was a captivating book, and arguably the best on the shortlist. It is definitely meant for older readers and it is cleverly set out in verse. My eyes were glued to the page as I read about the slave trade and the horrors that the innocent people went to. I would not recommend this book for those with a weak stomach as it describes someone's fingers being cut off in gruesome detail! The book really gives the reader a feeling of empathy to the people who are captured as slaves, and it really makes people understand how horrible the slave trade was. Amazing book, smashing read, would definitely recommend.

Nikita
SHSK Shadowers

Absolutely phenomenal book. The plot is absolutely genius and the many conflicts in the story just makes you want to read on forever. It explores a very indigenous lifestyle with rising conflict along the way, making new friends but also losing people most close as well. Very easy to read because it is written in verse almost every page. Definitely one of the best reads out there.

Alan
The Spawforth Shadowers

Renzo
No Shelf Control

This book is quite interesting. It shows the reality that some people live in, in an interesting way.

Zofia
Harris Legends

Kethlynn
Rad readers

I really enjoyed this book because it covered some topics like kidnapping well in a easy to understand format. It also added it into the storyline very well with a good plot. My favourite part of the book was right at the very end when Kofi and his cousin met up, after the boat sunk and they forgot their past disputes and just worked on saving themselves and each other. I liked this part because it was a good plot twist at the end of the book when Kofi found out that his cousin had been on the ship and kidnapped as well the whole time. I read this book as part of the Carnegie Shadowers scheme and it is the one I have enjoyed most so far.

Charlotte
Team Berko

After reading the book, I felt like I would help Kwasi. She is quiet and needs help. I am happy that they could fly.

Lillie Mae
ST PAULS STARS

A stunning verse novel, quite different in style to the Rebound collection. An important perspective on the slave trade - I can't wait for the sequel to find out what happens!

Miss K
BUCS Library Book Club

i like he called his couisn " my cousin " it seem very different to a normal story / tale and i dont understamd the subtitled there are so many

zuzanna
RET 2024

In this book I liked that the main character call's his cousin "my cousin" because it shows that the main character thinks that his cousin doesn't deserve a name but I don't understand why some of the sentence beginings are highlighed and shown in clear bold letters.

Izabela
RET 2024

I found "The Door of No Return" to be a bit disappointing at the ending as it left the resolution to your imagination. The portrayal of Kofi's kidnapping was confusing, although the book handled the sensitive topic of slavery very well. I would rate this book a 6 out of 10.

Louie
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I think that it is overall quite interesting, I love how each chapter begins, it really focuses the story and makes it easier to understand since it is written in verse (this is much better than in the other books). However, the shift in dialogue can be quite confusing, in the first few chapters I was extremely confused as to what was happening. This is because it does not state which characters are speaking and it is only signalled by italic font compared to ordinary font. Otherwise, it has great pace and it has a very interesting story line which is also educational!

Tamana
The Tiffin Girls’ Shadows

It was a delight to read this book! If I had to rate it out of 10, I would give it a 5 as it was a great storyline but it was very confusing. It was set out like a poem but did not rhyme or have poem features and I could not tell if it was on the same scene or if it had switched. It was a very confusing book and it was a bit all over the place. But it would be good for people who like that type of book.

Frankie
KES Readers

In "The Door of No Return," Kwame Alexander crafts a poignant and powerful narrative that transcends the pages of historical fiction to resonate deeply with readers. Set in the Asante Kingdom of West Africa in 1860, we follow the life of 11-year-old Kofi Offin, whose world is rich with family, tradition, and the vibrant life of his village in Upper Kwanta. Kofi's tranquil existence, filled with games of Oware with his grandfather and swimming in the river Offin, is shattered by a tragic event that propels him on an odyssey across land and sea. Alexander's verse is both lyrical and haunting, capturing the essence of Kofi's journey with a precision that is both surgical and expressive. The novel, written in verse, is a page-turner that doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of Kofi's world. Yet, there is an undercurrent of light and joy that permeates the narrative, painting a vivid picture of Kofi's village life—from the endless yam meals to the anticipation of the Kings Festival wrestling contests. "The Door of No Return" is a testament to Alexander's skill as a storyteller and his deep awareness of the power of language. This book is not just a story; it's an experience that will leave readers invested in Kofi's fate and eager for the next installment of this breathtaking trilogy.

Reina
Perse Carnegians

The main character is an 11 year old boy whose name is Kofi Offin. He believes that he has a special connection to the water. The story follows him through his life in Upper Kwanta, West Africa. During a festival between Upper and Lower Kwanta, someone unexpectedly dies and a spiral of events happens. The book doesn’t have a clear ending which lets the reader imagine what happens to the characters next. It’s a powerful and moving story that might just make your eyes tear. The innocence of Kofi at the start is clear, with his middle school crush, Ama. It’s ruined as the story goes on showing how horrible life can really be. It opens the reader to problems and experiences that people had to endure in the 1860s. The book highlights the problems with slavery and the horrors that occurred.

Linh
The Lotus Readers

The Door of No Return is a brilliant, moving verse novel, set in the Asante Kingdom in 1860 in what is modern day Ghana. It is a coming-of-age story of Kofi and the story of his family, and a tragedy that occurs at a festival and the consequences that unfold from this. I love the lyrical nature of the verse. Each chapter starts with prose which give greater explanation and historical background to the story. Although the book is set within the broader context of the colonial history, the story centres upon the people, stories and culture of the Asante. As Kwame Alexander says in the Acknowledgements, “Black history began way before 1619”. (Don’t skip the Acknowledgements, Twi Glossary and Adinkra symbols at the end – you get context and more rich information on the Asante culture).

Mrs Waritay
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

Unfortunately, this book didn't qualify to my favourites. It didn't have the features I normally look for in a book: specific detail ( no abstarct confusion ).

Chiziteremiheoma
Beauchamp Champs 2024

this book is up there as one of my favourites. it talks about a civil war in the asante kingdom in africa. after the war ended, they put in place a celebration to mark the end of the war. but when the wrestling competition goes wrong and kofi's brother acsidentally kill the prince, they both get kidnapped. can kofi and his brother escape or will they end up on a boat with the destination of america to work as slaves?

Sami
TCOLC Perfictionists

I loved this books use of language and storyline. It was very captivating and I liked that the author wrote a book about a different culture as I don't come by them very often.

Martha
Ossett Academy LRC

I found The Book of No Return a book with an interesting concept but has two minds. I found the writing style to add little to the experience other than strange grammar. I feel that the plot wasn't the best as first two thirds felt completely different to the last third. I preferred the first section more as it focused more on his life while the last section got rid of everything we were told was important and who to care about. I would rate it 6/10.

Luca
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I loved this book, the whole story flowed really well and I couldn't put it down. I enjoy reading verse novels and The Door of No Return was one of the best I've read. It was so sad at some parts but that just made it even better. One of my favourites for this year's medal and would recommend.

Ava
Bookiewookiedoodaas

This is such an amazing book. I love it how the book is split into how life is like everyday in West Africa and the other half it doesn't say its about the Translantic Slave trade but with the evidence I've gathered it is about it. Each of the characters are so unique because I have never read books with names from a different culture like Kofi or Ama and I love everything about each characters even the antagonist characters, they create a really well image of what they are like, also the title is unique because I thought it will be nothing close to what I read but near the end I've read the title again on the page everything makes sense now and I love the symbolism of the bird of being meant to be free and I love how at the end he flies like a bird, being a leader to his family even if he dislike them and the grandfather is like what you will expect for grandads to tell stories and overall is such an amazing books that people should read.

Mina
The West Grantham Mad Hatters

Loved this book ! the setting, the characters, and the build up to a shocking event all make for a thrilling read! potential winner for sure!

Angie
Cally Book Busters

I really enjoyed this book as I thought that it had a very deep meaning, with quite a moving plot. I really liked the ending, as it was quite hopeful, however it left room for interpretation. Overall I really liked reading it and thought that the way it was written was quite similar to thought, meaning that it gave a personal touch.

Solaris
The Latymer Literati

I really enjoyed this book because it talked about an every day life for a boy in Africa and his traditions and what he does. I also like how the book was in verses because it made the book really interesting to read.

Bella
Novel thinkers

Very interesting to learn about different cultures and a very different way of life. I'm not sure if I like the word layout because it was more like a novel broken up into chunks which made it a little confusing to read casually. The theme of slave trade was very eye opening and horrifying but I think that it's important to learn about these topics.

Zoë
The Latymer Literati

This book is really engaging and has a great story line.

Benji
The Latymer Literati

The door of no return ‘The Door of No Return’ is an amazing book about Kofi Offin. And how his journey was through South Africa.The only downside is probably how short the poems are but they’re very interesting to listen to, his background sounded traumatising.This is a good book to read if you want to know about his dreams of its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets and how life works in South Africa,the poems show what Kofi Offin has been through and what she wanted in life back then. This shows the perspective of people in South Africa and what they try to achieve for the greater good. I recommend this to people who are fascinated about South Africa and what people want to know about people's dreams.

smith
Glossopdale Readers

the door of no return is one of the books i would not read at first but i took a chance and read it , i thoroughly enjoyed this book , towards the end (second half) a lot happened and i finaly understood what the book is about and it was very deep into the topic of slavery. i really liked the ending where it is left to your imagination... i like how the book is in verse making it easyer to read and more enjoyable so overall i would rate is a 7/10

Daisy
BFS Umbra

Marlie
Sidcot Shadowers

The door of no return: Carnegie Set in Western Africa amongst the Asante kingdom, this beautiful verse novel depicts the story of Offin as he endures school, taunting by his bigger cousin, first love and preparation for his initiation in to manhood. The rhythm of the prose at times languid and comforting is juxtaposed by the rapid fire descriptions of key scenes. Spiritual guidance, folklore and the long reach of colonialism are all explored by Alexander as he leads the reader to a devastating climax. The richness of place conjured by minimal prose is a testament to the skill of the author, who evokes the vibrancy and danger of the environment. The Door of No Return will not take long to read, savour it. This book was a gripping book and had me involved in every aspect of the pages, the grammar and the thrill is to die for. The thrilling storyline succoured my interest in every way possible. This is a must read book 

Marlie
Sidcot Shadowers

For the first three quarters, it was quite a nice and relaxing read, it was focusing on a swimming race. But then Kofi gets kidnapped and it gets a bit confusing. He then gets taken to a castle and then to a slave trader boat. The ending was quite sad and I think it could have been a bit better. Overall the start was good but it just got a bit sad after that.

Alfie S
Ermysted’s

The language used in this book paints a picture of what Ghana's past must have looked like and it makes you feel like you are there with Kofi. I enjoyed this book because it was easy to just pick it up and read a few pages because of its poem-like format. This book is a must read for anyone interested in historical fiction.

Marlowe
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I enjoyed reading this book however I sometimes felt that it was just listing a chain of events instead of telling a story. This made it hard to build connections with the characters therefore the event had less of an emotional effect on me. I thought the poetic devices added a great effect and helped to emphasise characters emotions. Also, it was interesting to learn a bit about past African culture. I liked the enigmatic ending to the book that left me thinking what was going to happen in Kofi’s future.

Lucas
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

It felt real. This book felt like l was actually there in that moment in that scene witnessing what was happening. (By that scene l mean the BRUTAL scenes). It delivers a very strong message and l think it would be "be grateful for what you have". The book was honestly amazing! It was a new world!

Salma
Bellerive Bookies and Cookies

The book as a whole was written very well. With the storyline wonderfully intertwined with beautiful verses. The description of the characters and the story setting made it very interesting especially because it carried culture and traditions. Then the book turned really confusing during the latter half. The events seemed slightly jumbled and incohesive, making the storyline significantly less exciting and interesting. When the ending came it seemed a bit abrupt and didn’t carry a sense of finality with it, making you feel like there is a cliffhanger that shouldn’t be a cliffhanger. I felt like the author could have elaborated further and finished the story better.

李
DCGS1624

The door of no return is about an eleven year old boy called Kofi who grows up in the Asante Kingdom (now known as Ghana). In this book the Asante kingdom is set into Upper and lower. Kofi and his brother belong in Upper but after his brother kills the heir to the throne of Lower in a wrestling match the two sides are basically at war. Kofi then gets kidnapped and is sold into slavery. This book shows rivalry, friendship and the horror of slavery. I would really recommend this book as it had a very interesting story line that lots of people would enjoy.

Nat
Larkmead

The Door of No Return is a gripping story that follows the journey of Kofi Offin, an Asante boy from Africa. Initiated into manhood, Kofi grapples with the unknown challenges that lie ahead. The story beautifully explores themes of cultural clash and personal growth through Kofi's complex relationship with Mr. Phillip, his English-educated teacher, and his best friend. The narrative also delves into Kofi's love for Ama, his childhood friend, and his aspiration to become a storyteller like his grandfather, Nana Mosi. As Kofi faces capture and enslavement, the novel takes a harrowing turn, immersing readers in the brutal reality of the transatlantic slave trade. This book is a deep and thoughtful journey for readers as they follow Kofi's journey.

Saachi
Perse Carnegians

"The Door of No Return" by Kwame Alexander. I enjoyed this book as it was put in an easy-to-read format and gave you a look at what different cultures may have been like. Personally I found it quite tricky to differentiate when the protagonist , Koffi Offin, is speaking to when he is thinking. The plot was gripping at some parts but others it was dull. This book lacked in context (like the kidnapping) but some how overcame that with the plot twists. I feel as if the ending was not doing justice to the rest of the book leaving you little information to exactly know what was going on and that the ending could have been really engrossing.

Ava
The John Mason Shadowers

The Door of No Return was incredible. It was packed with amazing poems, and shone light onto the heartbreaking story of many many people. It left me equally heartbroken, empowered and desperate for more.

Elizabeth
Winchmore Carnegie Group 2024

The Door Of No Return centres a young boy called Kofi Offin. He is a member of the Asante tribe in modern day Ghana. The book describes his happy life with his tribe until he is kidnapped by a warring tribe and sold to colonisers as a slave. This book is told through verse that really strongly conveys emotion and is an amazing medium for the story. As the book is told through the first person view of a child, it describes well the horror of his kidnapping without the context of history. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys verse novels and historical fiction as it is a great telling of a sometimes under represented part of history.

Fiona
SCC Prolific Bookers

For this book, I didn't like the ending because I wanted to know what happened after that. It's something I wouldn't normally read but it was still a very good book that I would recommend to others.

Bella
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

I found this book very boring and didn't want to finish reading it. There were a couple of interesting bits in it but i don't really like verse books anyway. it was well written but the plot was quite boring and i just didn't want to finish it 2.5/10

reuben
St Augustine’s Challenge

I loved the poem format and loved the use of slang and accurate terminologies. I loved the pacing of the book and it was easy and quick to read but I didn't bond as much with the characters as I would have liked.

Kloe
The West Grantham Mad Hatters

The book is interesting, it has a very unique layout which made it more fun and easier read.

Caitlyn
The West Grantham Mad Hatters

I liked this book but I struggled to read it because it was a verse book

Aiden
Plumites

I didnt like this book as much as the others I've read as I found it quite slow going. However, there was a wide range of characters which made it more interesting.

Juliette
GreatB00ks

The door of no return is a very interesting book. It takes place in Africa and follows a young boy named Kofi Offin. I found this book to be very awakening to the injustice of the slave trade. It is a verse novel with a lot of depth, I really liked the way it was written and overall, I really enjoyed it.

Esther
Bookiewookiedoodaas

I enjoyed reading this book, I think it was a bit gruesome at times but I think it was really interesting and a good read.

Penny
Weald of Kent Tonbridge

I liked this book because the culture of Africa really shines through. I loved how the story was written in poems. The only problem was sometimes they became slightly confusing and difficult to follow. I would recommend it for ten plus as it can be very violent in some parts. Otherwise a lovely read very well written.

ruth
Euro Bookworms

The Door of No Return is an amazing book about separation, slavery and segregation from the perspective of an Asante (Ghanaian) boy. In this case it is 11 year old Kofi Offin. I would recommend this book to people interested in history.

Hannah
UoBS Bookworms

The Door of No Return is a very interesting book about life on the golden coast. It shows aspects of life at the time and the first half of the book is scene setting. Although this may seem boring I found that it was interesting seeing the similarities and differences with humour infused into it all. Towards the end of the book however, I found that it moves very fast and is gripping all the way up to the final word. The majority of the book is easy to understand and is a real eye opener for me.

Jonathan
Bethany Shadows

The Door of No Return was a nice book that I enjoyed reading. This book was set in a very different perspective that I usually read, which was very nice! It was a well written verse novel too, written somewhat poetically without being very abstract and hard to understand, though it wasn't quite as unique as something like Crossing the Line which had words in swirling shapes and fonts to represent the feel of the verse. I wish that the author had tugged on our emotions more! The dynamics between Ama and the MC was dry and not at all like most "love sideplots". Also, the author had a really good opportunity to make us feel something when the MC was captured, but again, it was purely an action scene and lacked emotional connection between the characters or even from the character themselves. Also, they should have elaborated on the relationship between the MC and his older brother. It took me a while to figure out that him and his brother actually had a really positive relationship and his death was a huge pain to the MC. I would have also liked to have a more satisfying ending!

Delana
Perse Carnegians

The Door of No Return by by Kwame Alexander is about a boy called Kofi who lives in what is now modern day Ghana. This is a story told through poems. In this book Kofi’s brother kills their enemy's heir to the throne in a wrestling match, as a result Kofi is kidnapped and sold into slavery. This book was not at all what I expected it was a lot more harsh than its cover suggests. What they did to Kofi’s brother and what they did to Kofi was outrageous. Not to mention what happened to two fish and all the women. When they were all in the boat with the drunk soldiers and they would take a girl it made me feel sick. This is such an important part of history and is very interesting to learn about. I’m actually quite ashamed that it is my history and part of what the British did. I would definitely recommend this book; it has such an important message. However I did not understand the last chapter.

Ava
HHS

The Door Of No Return was interesting. I thought that the beginning started off well but elongated for a bit too long. The actual moment where something was happening was too quick and ended too quickly. Some of the belief of the characters and emotions between the characters were really descriptive though which was good. I think I would say this book was like... ok great start... good description... ok... interesting... half way... getting a bit boring... WOAH what just happened?... ok that was over quickly. To be honest I don't think I understood this as a whole so I would say that overall was ok.

Hanna
BSG

This book seemed slightly stop start in the way that it just went from one event to the next with not a lot of tension being built. Nevertheless I finished the book within good time and thought that it had a nice message aswell as showing people who might not know how people where treated during these times. In the past I have read another one of this authors books which I enjoyed greatly, think I will read the others next.

Max
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

Tilly
Horsham BOok HUNTers

Review: 3/5 The plot was mildly interesting but executed weakly as the start was too slow. However after Kofi's brother accidentally killed someone the pace picked up and it became quite intriguing. I also loved Afua - she was like a surrogate mother to Kofi.

Hazel
County Shadows

I loved this book! The pages are packed with detail describing an incredible culture that I have not read about before. It builds a picture of a people whose history is rich in storytelling, sharing folklore, and wisdom. In the telling of the tales included in the book and in the book itself, it ensures that this history and culture are known and the version of history we hear is not just that told by the victors. The book is written in narrative verse which is very powerful. The author writes with real intensity that grabs you and pulls you into the story, and makes you care about the characters. I would recommend this book to everyone and give it 5/5 stars.

James
Larkmead

This is the third Carnegie book I have read in a poem style and I have found it easy and quick to read. The book itself was very educational about ancient Africa before slavery took place and it showed that it was well developed at the time. I really enjoy how the author uses native asante terms and phrases in the book as I think it adds a lot to the book to make it significantly cultural. Kofi's story is inspirational, as despite being told by his cousin he's never going to amount to anything, he defies what his cousin says and follows his dreams. The ending was very sudden and I think it added to the book a lot. I really enjoyed reading the door of no return and I will probably want to read it again!

Max
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

The Door of No Return was a really good book, following the story of an 11 year old boy, Kofi. It captivates how he was captured and attempted to get back to his homeland and the unique structure made it even better to read about and it was an extremely immersive book to read about. However, I have to admit at some points, the book was boring and I wanted things to speed up so it would really depend on what type of reader you are and how much you can read, if you decide to read this. Despite this, I fully enjoyed reading about him and how he had to go through all kinds of things like watching his brother fight against three people. Thus, I would rate this book a 7/10.

Ghumaysa
Plashet School

Descriptive but beautiful languages used at times in the story with a realistic life, behaviours and interactions. Momments of humour, love, death and grief add extra detail for the realistic style of life and culture in the story. Origins behind characters also creates competition and more backstory for the characters which further emphasises realism. The plot was everchanging with a few curveballs which makes the story draw the readers attention.The verse format matches well and fits greatly with the story and the which includes Asante culture and traditions. However the ending was quite mysterious and strange which does not fit the main story and makes it less memorable. In my opinion the overall story was interesting and pulling with humourous momments as wells as a bit more brutal and emmotional momments with a less exciting ending.

James
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This is an interesting and powerful book, with good characters and a plot which really develops especially in the last third. The setting alone brings a lot of new knowledge readers can enjoy, as it tells a history you won't learn in the classroom. The characters you meet along the way really bring this book together.

Rachel
Carnegie Carnage

This book was also poems like quite a few of the other books, but I really enjoyed this one more than the others because the poems flow so beautifully. Kofi Ofin the main character in this book, is so brave and he is so young, only eleven years old. To go on this massive adventure at such an early age must have been so hard to do. This story of hardship really made me imagine exciting dreams and think about this journey of courage. These poems made me imagine vivid thoughts and the poems themselves were full of beautiful expression.

Sophie
Perse Carnegians

I like how the book told me Kofi’s point of view and being brave, no matter how hard things got for him he was very determine to proof himself and be the best he wanted he could be. I liked how the book was written in small sections, with their titles and felt smooth, my only problem was when it turn back to normal book style because since I was so use to reading it in poem style it took longer to read this parts. I also like the Adinkra symbols at the beginning of each chapter, my favourite Nkyinkyim, I think for me it means finding a way to through life.

Isabel
Fortismere

The Door of No Return followed Kofi Offin through his different experiences of suppression of his language, death of loved ones, and romance. The book is written in a poem format with lengthy chapters, and I found it did not particularly appeal to me. The events Kofi went through felt detached from each other, making the story slightly confusing, and I disliked that ending left many events were unresolved. However, the language and description the writer employed was beautiful; successfully articulated emotion through the words. I also enjoyed learning about the African culture explored, but overall, the book was a fine read.

Manyan
Perse Carnegians

I, personally don't like historic fiction books, but this made made me see that idea differently as it was very well told as the story unfolds, I'd not usually choose to read historic books but I understood that all books are different in it's own way. It might have been even nicer if the story picked up the pace a little. It took me about 3 days to complete the book and it was really slow. I appreciate the effort that is been putted into writing nice poems and it seems to have come out well. It's often a struggle writing poems and making them convey a beautiful story but this is done really well !!!. I'd definitely recommend this book to people who are interested in a bit of history alongside the story.

Anvita
Forest Reading Rebels

I enjoyed reading this book a lot, because of the poetry-style writing that made it seem rhythmic and it sometimes depicts the tone as well. I also liked the way it presents such a complicated topic in simple words, easy for younger people to understand. Additionally, I really like the symbols at the start of each Chapter, for me, they showed the hints better than the headings had done. The book is also very emotive, written in first person allows more thoughts and emotions of the "speaker" to be expressed. I liked how the open ending that Kofi and his cousin tries to swim back from the shipwreck really evokes all the emotions in the book to encourage you to be creative with the ending, but I thought it could be a bit more specific. Moreover, I think the book is a bit ambiguous on some of the scenes (probably because of the first person), making it a bit difficult to picture some of the parts. But I still love the descriptions used throughout the whole book -- metaphor, personification (a place that holds me and my destiny safely in its deep-blue arms)... It made the whole picture seem vivid and real. I would recommend this book to people who is interested in British colonisation topics, as it provides a really unique view to it, but it's a really good book for everyone (best aged 10+) to enjoy for its content and description. It's a quick read worth spending some time on, 8/10.

Rachel
Perse Carnegians

I think this book is creative, with different fonts. I like that it is about someone’s life. The front cover is amazingly good.

Alfie
Castle East Readers

This book was very enjoyable! This book took unexpectedly dark turns, this made the book very action- packed and left me on the edge of my seat.

Bracha
St Angela’s Reading Angels

This book was about a boy in an African kingdom, after two regions had gone to war and signed a treaty. He lives in the Northern area, Upper Kwanta. His brother is chosen to compete in a wrestling competition against the other region, Lower Kwanta. What happens at that competition is the start of a downfall for the main character and his brother. This book is based on slavery. Overall, i enjoyed this book.

Estlin K
Ermysted’s

I really liked how the author used the poetry and I also liked the aspect of how the author made the old traditions of West Africa into a story. However I found it a little bit confusing to decode as there was so many words that were foreign to us. I liked the idea of the two Kofi's being enemies, yet I didn't think there was enough drama between the cousins. I also liked the portrayal of the character Mr Goodluck Philip, as he was a strict character in a funny way. The only bit of the plot that I did not understand was the climax scene, as I was not sure what happened. Overall, I would rate this book a 6/10, mainly due the good use of poetry and interesting characters.

Tanvi
Perse Carnegians

I really enjoyed this book. It was educational, as well as being fun to read. I liked how well the poems were integrated into the story and how you could read the poems like normal text, and it still made sense. This way of writing made the book good to read from different perspectives, either of the individual poems, or of the story as a whole.

Cecelia
KES Bookworms

It was another book that used poetry. However, I actually enjoyed the poetry in this book. I think it was beautifully written. The book had a lot of substance. There were sad moments in the book. I think this book was very meaningful and you can tell the author put lots of thought into everything he wrote. This was a great read however not my favourite. The normal style of writing is more enjoyable for me.

Sachin
Ermysted’s

I found that "The Door of No Return" was a riveting book, partly due to the poetic format it was presented in. This emphasised the main character's emotions throughout the book, and provided a rhythm to it. Moreover, it explored themes such as racism and the slave trade in a way that wasn't too harsh, yet still managed to capture the brutality and get the reader to consider the issue further. However, I found the ending to be slightly confusing and sudden. The title of the book also did not make much sense for the majority of the book, although the metaphorical meaning of it was interesting to think about. Ultimately, I found that even though this book could have been slightly better, it was nevertheless gripping and a lot of thought was clearly put into it.

Ananya
The Tiffin Girls’ Shadows

I didn't get this book. There wasn't enough description, and it was written in verse which made it very hard to follow along. I liked the start of the book but then it got slower and slower and by the time Kwasi killed the prince, I'd lost interest in the book. After this had happened, the book became very boring until he got taken as a captive and Kwasi died. I didn't feel empathy for the character because the author wrote the book without any emotion. It was also very hard to follow along as the book went, I often found myself flicking through pages, looking to see if I'd missed anything. Overall not a good book, would not recommend, 1.5/5

Sulayman
Perse Carnegians

I absolutely adore verse novels and The Door of No Return definitely didn't fail my expectations! Kwame Alexander writes every line with such passion and knowledge of the Asante culture that it left me in awe and full of imagination what Kofi's life must've been like in Upper Kwanta. Being quick and easy to read, I managed to read it in one day and it's clear to see why! Kofi's day to day village life of school, getting into trouble with friends and falling in love with Ama makes this one of the most relatable coming-of-age novels I've read in a long time. The uncertainty, fear and death towards the end was quite hard hitting and very emotional for me and it was horrible but educational at the same time to see Kofi go through such a terrible experience but it is important to honour the memories of the people taken prisoner by foreigners. Thank you, Kwame Alexander for keeping the Asante culture alive in this brilliant book!!!

Julia
Weald of Kent Tonbridge

In my opinion, this riveting, historical fiction novel by Kwame Alexander is an incredible book, especially as it was my first time reading a book written in verse. The novel thoroughly explores the life of a young boy living in the 1850’s in Ghana. Through various poems, you are able to understand further into who the protagonist, Kofi Offin is. However, when Kofi’s cousin gets chosen to wrestle in huge event, the story takes a dramatic turn. The verse novel takes us on journey, enabling us to witness Kofi’s challenges, such as when he was forced to leave his home. Kwame’s compelling style of writing captivated me and I could not stop reading as I wanted to know what would happen next. Furthermore, I would give a great recommendation to anyone who loves historical fiction, African culture and stories of personal growth and resilience.

Devan
MTS Northwood

An absolutely amazing book. You can really sympathise with the characters at their time of hardship. It really shows how people feel when everything in their life changes. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering about what will happen next. In a book with multiple positives, of course there will always be a few downsides to it. I feel that the ending was a bit rushed and that it could have been longer, as I wanted to find out what happened to Kofi and his cousin. Though I feel this, this book has probably been my favourite Carnegie. I have also read the Song Walker, Choose Love and I'm currently reading The Boy Lost in the Maze. Out of all of these, this book has definitely been my favourite. Though I would not have necessarily have read this if it wasn't for the Carnegie Book club and it generally isn't the sort of book I read, it is good to delve into different writing styles and learn new things. I loved this book, though it does make you feel quite sad at some points. 5 out of 5 stars, Would definitely recommend.

Samuel
Kesgrave Bookworms

I found this book very fun to read, and perfect for someone who finds it hard to pick up a thick novel and get started, as the poetry was very approachable and well-written. I liked the beginning where he talks about everyday life, but I did think that it was dragged out a lot, and not much seemed to happen until the last portion of the book. The ending was very sad - almost too sad I feel, and I wished there was more to the story. However I am also aware that there is a second book on the way, so maybe that will be the answer to the problem!

Jane
The Shakespeare Ducks

I really enjoyed the message of this book, it helped me to understand the ways living in different countries. I liked the way it was structured and it flowed really well.

Maya
Malvern St James

I really enjoyed the message of this book, it told so much with so little words and helped me understand the ways of livening in different countries. I liked the way it shows you how England oppressed other countries. It was structured and flowed really well.

Jaz
Malvern St James

The Door of No Return was a very interesting verse novel with many diverse characters such as Ebo and Ama who where my personal favourites. This story tells the tale of a boy in Upper Kwanta (modern day Ghana) before the slave trade started. This book portrayed a view that is not commonly seen in most young adult novels today yet it was portrayed beautifully. The killing of certain characters was a shock but it kept me wanting to read more and more. One thing I thought that could be better was that at the end of the book there are a lot of loose ends and it does not finish the plot line for many characters.

Chase
Redcloaks

This was a beautiful book about an 11 year old African boy living in The Gold Coast (Ghana). He gets forced to speak English. His brother fights someone from a rival village but ends up killing him. It builds up to him having a swimming race against his cousin to win over a girl, Ama (Love). This book wasn't my favourite but I still enjoyed it,

Lucian
Ermysted’s

The door of no return is a beautifully written book. It is poignant, yet traumatic, with touches of humor and romance at appropriate moments.

Aqsa
BIS Book Club

I enjoyed this book, as it explored another culture and was realistic and could have been a true story. I liked the way the words were set out, although sometimes I found it hard to tell if the main character was speaking or thinking. The glossary and signs at the back was useful. The only thing that ruined the book for me slightly was the end, as it was a cliffhanger which seemed to be in a bad place. 8/10

Eleanor
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

I wasn't sure about this book to begin with, but towards the end it got better and better. The form of verse that it's written in makes it seem like there are more emotions going through Kofi's mind. I also hope there is going to be a sequel because I want to find out what happened.

Kaitlyn
Ullswater Readers

I think that this book was absolutely amazing! The ending was left a cliff-hanger which made it feel very free and open to interpretation and the character Kofi was a good protagonist because he experienced very normal problems for a boy of his age. Jealousy over someone and his crush on Ama were definitely easy issues to relate to. It also perfectly showed how easily his life changed after he got taken and how nearer to the end , he had matured. I also liked that the author, Kwame Alexander, added a glossary at the end explaining what all the words and symbols mean. Overall I think this book was a great read. If I could read it for the first time all over again I would!

Lucy
Winchmore Carnegie Group 2024

The Door of No Return is a good and very interesting book. It is about a young boy called Kofi who lives in a world where people have been separated. It is a good book and I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't one of my favourite stories. I really liked how the author wrote it in verse because it made the story nice to read. I think the ending was pretty good and it seemed to make sense. The whole book was filled with emotion and it was really interesting to see how Kofi's life took some slightly unexpected turns. All in all not one of my favourite books ever, but still a good read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy adventure/Coming of age stories.

Olivia
Skipton Shadows

I think it is a well written and interesting book, and although I was initially confused by the layout and structure, I soon found it to be a really captivating and enjoyable read. I really liked how the culture, traditions and language were incorporated and I liked learning and seeing things from the perspective of Kofi.

Freya
St Kaths

Miss Beaumont
Book Busters

An astonishing story that left me hooked from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed the in depth exploration of African culture and customs throughout the story, it made the story feel compatible with the setting, which was an amazing aspect of the story in general. The characters, in addition, were all immensely unique from one another in an engaging way, creating an interesting dynamics. I felt the climax of the story emerged towards the end of the book leaving me on the edge of my seat, and the conclusion, although making me want more, was very symbolic and inspiring in way. I hope for another book following Kofi after he escapes from the boat.

Grace
Rebel Readers

I didn't really enjoy this book ,as I tend to not like books explained through poems, even though this book had a really strong meaning behind the poems. This book is about Kofi who lives with his family in an Asante village that already reflects the influence of British colonialism. He’s forced to speak only English at the school he attends, and he has challenged a boy who bullies him to a swim race in their local river. He’s also in love with his schoolmate Ama but is too shy to tell her. Kwasi, Kofi’s older brother, accidentally kills an opponent in the annual wrestling match against their rival village, which retaliates by killing him and taking Kofi to be traded by the British at a castle on the coast, where he encounters the door of no return. I would rate this book 3.5 stars, although I would recommend this book to people who like reading through poem.

Inaayah
Beauchamp Champs 2024

Kwame Alexander’s “The Door of No Return” is a powerful novel-in-verse that dives into the horrors of the slave trade through the eyes of Kofi Offin, an eleven-year-old boy from the Asante Kingdom ( known as Ghana today) in 1860. The book’s strength lies in its beautiful and heartbreaking verse. Alexander masterfully uses poetry to capture Kofi’s innocence, confusion, and growing determination in the face of unimaginable cruelty. The rhythm and flow of the language make the story incredibly readable, even for younger readers. “The Door of No Return” is not just a historical novel, it's a call to remember the atrocities of the past. While the story focuses on Kofi’s experience, it sheds light on the wider tragedy of millions stolen from their homes. The book can spark discussion about slavery, racism, and the importance of fighting for freedom. Overall this story is unforgettable. It’s a beautiful testament to the power of language and a reminder of the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable suffering.

Kitty
The Lotus Readers

I really enjoyed this book because it covered some topics like kidnapping well in a easy to understand format. It also added it into the storyline very well with a good plot. My favourite part of the book was right at the very end when Kofi and his cousin met up, after the boat sank and they forgot their past disputes and just worked on saving themselves and each other. I liked this part because it was a good plot twist at the end of the book when Kofi found out that his cousin had been on the ship and kidnapped as well the whole time. I read this book as part of the carnegie shadowers scheme and it is the one i have enjoyed most so far.

Charlotte
Team Berko

It was a fabulous book, I loved the poetry and way it was presented. It was a sweet and interesting book. It was also quite sad, which in my opinion only made it greater. I loved it!

Sophia A
St. George’s Dragon Readers

well written good ending.

maisie
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

I loved this book so much! The elements are so amazing, and when they all compile into a book they clash in the most fantastic way. The entire book was so well thought out and written, and had me wanting reading more.

Annie
Broadland Bookworms

This book was laid out in a beautiful way as it was in italics and certain parts would be in bold. Reading this was like reading a poem, it is about a young(ish) boy who lives in West Africa named Kofi Offin. But sadly it was only the first few pages that got me interested as it didn't meet my expectations as I expected some 'murder' and some 'mystery ' like the blurb had promised … and they never got too do a swimming race like they planned .It is a very hard book to understand and is quite confusing I would recommend this book if you want to learn a new culture or if you would like a book with a different type of lay out from the rest, But personally I didn't really like it .

Hitha
More Reading at Rusthall

this book is not what i expected

abdul m
Ermysted’s

This book is very interesting once you start reading it you get hooked on into the history of historians murder ,cruelty, kings , treasures and skills . Mystery and horror enhances your reading and teaches .The message is to never give up even if you have lost everything you are worth it you can do it !

AUSTEJA
TDA readers

I did not enjoy this book as much as the other Carnegie books. I couldn't follow the plot very easily and i couldn't picture what i was reading because there wasn't enough description. However i did like how the conversations were laid out on separate pages and labled.

Rose
Tenbury Page Turners

After reading this book I can honestly say that all I felt was confusion. Most people who I’ve talked to have said this book was really good but the ending felt rushed and while I agree it’s a good book, for some reason I just didn’t really enjoy it. I loved the parts about Kofi’s life at the start, just learning about his everyday life, the build up to the swimming race was really well executed I was genuinely really looking forward to it as the way the author describes Kofi swimming was Lovely and the older Kofi was delightfully hateable. I found the explanation of the culture really beautiful although the way it was laid out (the font and italics) was slightly hard to read. While I understand that the rushed ending could be attributed to the fact that this would literally affect people out of nowhere, I felt like more time could have been spent on it, I thought the capture was incredibly out of nowhere and really ruined the tension that had already been brewing with the festival and the race, it just left me confused and underwhelmed. I just didn’t really understand what was happening during the aftermath with the captors, it was probably my fault realistically but I found myself just wanting something else to happen, and then it did which again came very out of nowhere which was probably realistic but it didn’t translate well into a novel I found. I think they needed more when they were on the boat but I liked the woman and the descriptions of the time this was probably the most interesting part of the ending to me. But when the climax happened as I said it really confused me. Apart from that I found that it being ambiguous just didn’t work in my opinion, it felt like both nothing and everything was happening, I would have preferred a clearer ending. 5/10

Josie
KES Bookworms

The book "The door of no return" is a lovely fiction about a young (ish) boy from 'west' Africa who has always lived in his home town, until he's abducted by the Kings men to witness the murder of his brother who accidentally kills the heir in a wrestling competition. Now he must find a way to escape. So in other words it's a very interesting book and I would definitely recommend it.

Liana
Madras Carnegie Shadows

This book is amazing! It's not usually what I would choose to read, so I wasn't expecting to enjoy it that much. However, I was very wrong, as I think this book is extremely clever, as it's surprisingly hard to write poetry and this book is full of very deep and meaningful poetry, which contains life lessons, emotions and messages in every line. I love the culture woven throughout the story line and the messages that the main character Kofi and many people that help him on his journey show the reader. I thought this book was also very emotive and this was expressed not by description but with different font sizes and repetition of certain words and phrases that made me really feel for the main character. I also loved how Kwame Alexander, the author, included links to tribe rivalries, what life is like in Africa, culture, food, clothes and links to slavery, which is a very important topic which needs to be addressed. The way that slavery is portrayed in poem form however, made it just that little bit more interesting, and I felt like I was very immersed in the story, even though it had less description than a story book would. It's a very important and successful poetry book and I really enjoyed reading it!

Freya
Holt Readers

A harrowing read. Alexander takes us through a journey which starts with innocence and trivial conflicts across to a tragic experience that leaves you feeling heartbroken for the protagonist and all that he leaves behind. I found this interesting in terms of understanding the landscape of old Ghana complete with its tribal rituals which makes the ending all the more upsetting. I believe this is going to be part of a sequel; I’m looking forward to journeying with the protagonist again into what I hope is a brighter future than that where we leave him at the end of ‘The door with no return.’ 8/10 for me!

Mrs Eaton
Weavers Inklings

In my opinion The Door of No Return was a marvellous, fantastic, and adventurous book which was set in the Asante Kingdom in Africa. It is all about a young boy, named Kofi Offin, who lives a normal life with his three sisters, his brother, his mum, dad, and grandpa, until his brother accidentally killed the prince of the lower region of the kingdom. Everything turned downhill from there. Kofi was kidnapped and his brother died, however he stayed strong and at the end everything went back in his favour. I would recommend this book to anyone above ten years old.

Husayn
Perse Carnegians

This book centers around the life of a young boy called Kofi Offin who lives in west Africa in the 19th century with his family. When his cousin, who is alway looking down on him, challenges him to a swim race, Koffi is as ready as ever practicing every day. But when one late night he goes swimming in the river, he gets caught in a trap on his journey home. This trap leads him to be captured by another tribe. Throughout this experience he must learn bravery and prove to his family he is not a failure after all. At the start of this book, I was confused by the storyline a bit, as there were a lot of people introduced all at once, but after a while, I came to enjoy the diversity of characters throughout this book. They all came together well and made for a believable and heartwarming story. Another good aspect of this book was the poetry. It was written in different styles including conversations written in verse, which I found was an interesting and different way to write a book. Not only that, but the poetry was told in the perspective of a child, which gave the book a different sort of feel, as Kofi looks at the situations with hope, which makes you want to read to the end and wants you to give Koffi that happy ending that he is looking for. It fascinates me that the author was able to talk about the topic of african slave trade and write it up in a story which helps the younger generation understand how the people must have felt during these experiences. Granted that this is 12+, but the way that he writes it in such a way that people can understand what is happening is truly great. All in all, I thought this book was truly a good read, as it combined history with poetry very well.

Elsa
Euro Bookworms

In my opinion this book was a great read that covered many sensitive topics like slavery. The overall plot of the book was amazing and the book portrayed the boys' emotions well. Too bad they never got to do that swimming race.

Avaneesh
Ermysted’s

The Door Of No Return Thrilling novel Helpful in research Epic novel Definitely intriguing Opposite of uninteresting Openly thrilling Reflective of the real world Outstandingly written Full of real African life No stopping once you have started Officially epic Radiating graspingness Etching into your brain Twists and turns Unique writing style Replenish your calmness Natural landmarks

Daniel
Larkmead

I am a huge fan of an historical fiction book that does not feel like one. This is such a book. Although set over 150 years ago and in an unfamiliar culture there are still those perennial themes of cousin rivalries, first loves, school days and family life. Kofi looks forward to manhood through the tribal ceremony but it is a series of unexpected events that make him grow. His brother Kwasi accidentally kills an opponent who happens to be the son of the King of a rival village. Although vindicated Kofi's people find they are still a target for the disgruntled rivals who steal away and imprison Kwasi , Kofi and some of his friends in retaliation. Revenge is carried out as Kwasi loses his life to an opponent much taller and stronger than he is and the prisoners are sold into a potential life of slavery only thwarted by the ship sinking in a storm. We are left with the potential of a new story as the 2 cousins cling to wreckage to swim themselves home. The author was keen to show the story of American Africans before slavery and he has done just that. Score 10/10

Mrs P
Cake a Book Club

In a small West African village, Kofi Offin lives a simple yet happy life with his family and friends. His school life has been infected with the unfamiliar, foreign English that all children are forced to learn, yet outside of that, the new invaders - “wonderfuls” - are yet to lay their hands on his village. Kofi loves swimming, playing games with his family and spending time with one particular girl who he would give everything for. However, the warmth his life is shrouded in is punctured with an accidental death during a wrestling match with the opposing village… Kwame Alexander uses astonishingly well-crafted poetry to explore themes that range from as joyful as first love to as serious as the slave trade. He first introduces the beauty of life in Kofi’s village then heart-wrenchingly rips it away again, expertly showing how awful it was for people to be taken away from their homes. Despite the horrifying topics, the occasional moments of humour show us that there is always hope in the darkest of situations. This book is perfectly paced and beautiful to read. Throughout this book, I could truly feel every emotion that the characters felt - I experienced their shock, their love, their grief, their terror. The reader gains a better understanding of how the slave trade worked in the 19th century - it wasn’t just obvious violence, it was disloyalty and betrayal too. Personally, I think it deserves 3.7 stars out of 5 - only because the speech was quite hard to follow as there were no speech marks used and at first the plot was difficult to fully understand. I would recommend it to mature audiences, as this book contains some potentially very upsetting topics, however they are ones that should be read about as it is important for us to know about our past and the things our ancestors did.

Emma
Glossopdale Readers

The book ‘The Door Of No Return’ is a well written book about a young boy named Kofi Offin.He loves everything about his life and his culture but one day when he challenges his cousin to a swimming competition he works really hard and practises a lot then unexpectedly a death happens during a festival between rival villages and it changes his life forever. I think this book is so amazing and can really change your perspective on life because this boy was so happy.Then it all got taken away from him so suddenly when everything he is used to in day to day life changes to a unknown mystery leaving him stuck not knowing what to do next. I recommend this book because it can really make you open your eyes and make you appreciate everything you have because one day it can all disappear without any reason

Sophia
Glossopdale Readers

I really enjoyed this book. It is about a boy growing up in Ghana in the 1860s, and I personally believe it aims to help readers understand the wholeness of the lives and experiences of Africans before they walked through that "door of no return" – and were shipped to the Americas as part of the slave trade. I really enjoyed the characters and how they develop throughout the story. It is also very easy for anyone to understand as it is written in a poetic format with few words on each page making it very understandable. I also loved the symbolism in the book e.g the bin kna bi representing peace and harmony. Alexander’s sweeping novel conjures a captivating, resonant universe of African tribes' traditional lives and ancestral wisdom.

Joshua
Glossopdale Readers

I was thoroughly entertained by this story. I really liked how the tension increased as the book progressed and felt that the more I read, the more I wanted to read. The story felt as though it started off as the light hearted, day to day life of Kofi Offin and gradually, the bickering became worse and he experienced more hardship. Eventually, he has to undergo a thoroughly unpleasant adventure where he suddenly comes face to face with the hardships that suffering brings into the world. I quite liked Kofi as a character due to his many layers of personality and it was very interesting to see his thoughts and feelings towards people and circumstances. However, I did not like Kofi’s cousin as he seemed very self-centred and constantly out to get Kofi. He also makes fun of Ama and publicly embarrasses her in front of all her classmates, simply sniggering afterwards. The only thing that I did not like about the story was how it ended. You were left to assume that they got safely back but were not told about how it happened or what happened when they got back. Leading on from this, I would have liked to see whether his day to day life changed at all after this horrible experience, whether he and his cousin finally learned to get on and whether he confesses his feelings to Ama - and whether they are mutual.

Faith
TTS Readers

This is a book about a kid called Kofi Offin and he speaks a different language called Twi. It was the language he was born to speak but his teacher (Mr. Goodluck Phillip) is making everyone at the school speak English which to them is very hard because it is like a foreign language, and they get punish if they accidentally speak the wrong language, Mr. Goodluck Phillip does not feel bad about using his little cane. But that is the least of Kofi Offin's worries. He has a lot of problems that he is yet to face.

Anna
Cathedral Crew

Personally, I didn’t really like this book as it seemed very slow and unexcitable as nothing really happened until halfway through were everything went wrong for the main character. I also found it hard to follow as it was written in verses like a song and was unclear of the meaning in places. I also found that this book had a common storyline that has been overused. However, I liked the setting of the book as it came from a ‘new’ angle as I have never read a book that was set in Africa in a time before ours. It was also interesting as it gave an insight into the life of an African. It also shared views of what was thought of England.

Liam
Bookwizards

I loved the door with no return. I really enjoyed taking a look into a new culture and I found the characters very inspiring. I loved the idea of the book and I found it was very well told. This was perfect in a verse novel format and I thought it was the perfect length. I enjoyed it very much.

Hazel
Fortismere

The ocean flows as the waves crash. A mother about to welcome her child stays near the waters. The comforting waters shield the mother and help her give birth. A child is born. A child of the water. A boy. Kofi Offin. West Africa is where the boy lives. His love for swimming is huge but one love stands out. A love for a girl. His beautiful language is over shadowed by an alien tone. The Queens English. Why would Kofi and his classmates need to learn this language? A war full of blood shed and pain ended years ago. It was between Upper Kwanta and Lower Kwanta. It was a time of strength, hatred and blood baths. An agreement thankfully ended this horrific war. Now fight festivals take place between rival villages. Kwasi, Kofi's older brother, is a fighter. He has fierce match and wins but the unthinkable happens. A death. An accidental murder. The only one to blame is Kofi's older brother. His brother and everyone else thinks he escaped the clutches of doom but soon he pays the price with his death. Kofi ends up being taken and swept from his home. The river can't save him. The thought of seeing his family, friends and love flows out of his head like a river with no rocks to stop. But a ray of hope gives him courage to not give up. The only thing he has is his hope, strength and dreams to help spread his wings and fly. The Door of No Return was a wonderful book. I like how it gave me a historical lesson on the lives of the Asante people. It was very interesting to know this book was based on these people. Their culture, music and life will never die. I definitely recommend this book to everyone. I give it 4/5 stars.

Elece
Lost in Pages

I read the book called The Door of No Returns by Kwame Alexander. It is a book written in verse about African tribal life. At the start of the book, the children are in an English lesson with a teacher that they all hate as in their opinion he is bringing bad foreign ideas into Africa. As the book goes on, the characters get older and more mature as they grow into adulthood and towards the traditional ceremony in Africa of a child becoming an adult. Later in the book, somebody from the tribe is kidnapped and then a short time his younger brother as well. When the younger brother wakes up, he is surrounded by lots of other young children. After a couple of days in this unknown place, the boys are brought to a palace where someone is executed- the first person that was kidnapped-he had his neck snapped. At the end of the book the boys are taken on a boat by lots of white Americans. The boat goes into a storm, and they all die a peaceful death.

zack wf
Ermysted’s

Eleanor
Pride and Paperbacks

I loved reading this book, partially because it had a captivating format. The text is arranged like a poem, but every verse is a simple sentence, which adds rhythm and creates compelling pages. Although some readers may find this hard to understand, as someone who has read many books, I found it refreshing and interesting, especially when the varying font sizes conveyed the emotion of the words. It has very hard themes like slavery and explicit violence, but these are explained beautifully through the use of thought-provoking metaphors. I also enjoyed the powerful presence of culture and traditions through the narrative, and appreciated learning about these through a first person perspective, which made it feel more engaging. Moreover, the plot moved fairly fast, keeping me hooked, but I wasn't very satisfied with the ending. It was quite metaphorical, which fits the theme of the book, but personally, I still didn't love it. And as for the title, I couldn't find much meaning to it until more than halfway through the book, and I don't think it represented the story very well. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book's delightful format, enthralling story and enchanting metaphors.

Yashwina
The Tiffin Girls’ Shadows

Gabriel
Euro Bookworms

A really heart warming book. Loved how kofi could forgive his cousin in the sea..

Bethany kn
Ely College Reading Group

A simultaneously fascinating and heartwarming glimpse of African cultural history – I was gripped from page one to page three hundred and ninety-eight! Every twist and turn in the plot was concurrently thrilling and believable – a balance which is often difficult to achieve. Almost every character was highly relatable, and those which were not were deliberately so! Too infrequently is the history of the nineteenth-century slave trade related from the perspective of those sold into slavery, but this novel not only describes the horrific events, but conveys the emotions of individuals. No mean feat, by any means!

Isaac
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This book was fascinating. It dealt with a lot of mature themes whilst creating an interesting plot. I loved how Kofi kept a brave face and how the author incorporated some of his language into the book. Whilst it was a work of fiction it was heavily based on history, and I myself feels that we're not always able to learn of other countries stories so this book was deeply educational.

Shaan
Mansell Library Reviewers

The Door of No Return is a very heartfelt book about a boy called Kofi set in West Africa. I found this book to be extremely well written and beautifully articulated, since every page was hooking with its own unique style of writing. The story line is very hooking, and lots of information can be picked up along the way about the language and history. Overall, this book was very gripping, emotional and had lots of twists and turns that led to cliff hangers. However, one small point to make is that some parts seem quite rushed. I would recommend this book to others!

Seungah
Perse Carnegians

It was a really good story, I felt really miserable when the colourless men took the girls without their consent .

Humera
Winchmore Carnegie Group 2024

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the plot twist when Kofi and his brother get kidnapped by lower Kwanta. Another thing I enjoyed was that this book was a quick read. This is a big factor for me because I get bored too quickly. Overall Ireally recommend this book for ages 12-14.

Rubina
Riverside Readers

Door of No Return is a very emotional book with a heartfelt idea behind it. I really enjoyed the ending where you did not know was was to happen to Kofi Offin or whether he made it back to his country or people. This added an edge to the book that I really enjoyed. Another thing that I liked was the use of poetry through out the book symbolising the beauty yet fragility of life and how careless we were for other people. I also really enjoyed how before each chapter there was a bit not in poetry to add poignancy and depth to the story. Overall this book is a master piece that also has an edge of realism and drama.

Thomas
Perse Carnegians

"The Door of No Return" by Kwame Alexander Lyrical, Enticing, and Thrilling Kwame Alexander's "The Door of No Return" is a creative and engaging novel, set in a historical setting. While the book does intrigue with its unique style and interesting themes, it does have certain flaws that lessen its total impact. Overall, I would rate it 7/10. The protagonist, Kofi Offin, navigates the challenges faced by many African nations under colonial rule. Kofi's love for water is stifled by his family, friends, and Mr. Philip, his teacher. A village festival then leads to an unfortunate incident, sparking rivalry and tension within the community. One of the book's primary strengths is its setting in the Asante Kingdom, modern-day Ghana. This offers readers a look into the culture, including food, games and celebrations, which I found fascinating and educational. The novel also addresses the topic of African captivity and the transatlantic slave trade. Alexander presents these topics well in a way that is accessible to readers, even with little prior knowledge. However, while the information is easily understood, the book's verse format can be off-putting at times. I found myself needing to reread sections to fully grasp the narrative. Nevertheless, once accustomed to it, the reading experience does begin to flow to a slightly better degree. Some readers may even appreciate this unique approach, I just personally didn’t find it favourable whatsoever. I would recommend "The Door of No Return" to others. The book, though the language was not intricate whatsoever, does tackle more mature themes, making it suitable for older readers, around 13 and above. In conclusion, the book is relatively good, blending lyrical storytelling with important historical lessons. Despite some criticism, I would still say it’s a worthwhile read.

Max
Lost in Pages

I really liked The Door of No Return. I thought it captured a very powerful, emotive and interesting topic - and turned it into a brilliant backstory of a young boy who lives a normal life, until he is captured and forced to become a slave. Whilst reading it, I found it very sad at times, and I could sympathise with Kofi Offin. It was very distressing and sad, though it is a story that needs to be told and has been undertold. It illustrated that in the times when slavery was a large business hundreds of years ago, all the enslaved people were people just like you and me, who had their own cultures and wished to live life just normally, whilst monsterous slave traders treated them like objects that were valued as nothing and only used for profit. I thought this easy read was a very good one - though I would not recommend for younger readers.

Max
Fortismere

Whilst I understand the appeal of this book to many people, I personally did not enjoy this book and found it quite boring, it simply did not catch my imagination as I read it. Although parts of it were quite interesting to read, I unfortunately still did not enjoy this book overall

William
Beauchamps Bookbusters

The Door of no return was an interesting book looking into the lives of people living communities in Africa prior to the imperialism that changed the rest of the continent's future forever. I found it very interesting hearing about Kofi's daily life, and I loved how the author expertly showed how his life slowly evolved into a waking nightmare. The whole book had a sense of hope, that maybe nothing bad would happen, and even by the end, you're left with hope that he survived. By not wanting to believe that all these bad things were happening, the author helped the reader to empathise with Kofi, putting the reader in the same kind of scene of disbelief. that maybe they could wake up and it could all just be a dream. Four stars, I would recommend for over 13 year-olds.

Eleni
VISTA Academy

Hannah
UoBS Bookworms

This was a very moving story about the troubles of slavery. I think this book had moments of sadness and loss but also of love and great hope and opportunity in the future.

Tomasz
Ermysted’s

Kofi Offin lives in Africa and has desires about the waters afar. he loves his mom, dad, sister, and brother. but has challenges against his cousin ( who is also named Kofi ) to a girl called Ama who both of them like. soon after, Kwasi, his brother, got murdered in a challenge in a village and so he has been dejected. he set off on a harrowing journey with Afwa leaving his home. however... things get downhill as the monsters of the sea take over leaving many women afwa had left Kofi hopeless, and children helpless, just as he thought his life flash before his eyes, in the distance... to help.. was his cousin on a bird climbing the sky. and together, they fly.

shruti
Beauchamp Champs 2024

I think that the book is good but a bit hard to understand so make sure you look at the glossary first to understand some of the language and you can keep referring to the glossary if you need to. My favourite bit is when Bonsu the Lower Kwanta gets so dizzy that he falls over and hurt his ankle, and then Kofi’s older brother Kwasi has to step in for Bonsu against the kings son who is the only heir to the throne and accidently kills him. Then he awaits his verdict but they only have to pay the king in sheep, gold and goats. I like this section because it is exciting and you can imagine what happens to their family and then you can read about the story unfolding afterwards.

Elodie
KC Chatterbooks

I think this book was wonderful, the way everything was written was beautiful and the story was incredible. It really successfully tells a story. All the characters had amazing development and the settings were amazing, however, I feel like the story wasn't finished, I would love to know what happened after, and maybe a bit more about some characters that were mentioned but never were properly explained, but I really believe this was a fantastic book.

Keira
Winchmore Carnegie Group 2024

I finished reading this book and I loved the storyline and thought that the format of the book was very clever. I think the storyline was a bit sad but it does reflect the period of time that the story was set in. However, I didn't like how there was a build up towards the end and yet the story abruptly stopped. I felt like there should have been a few pages after the end to explain what happened.

Crystal
SCD Pageturners

The Door of No Return is historical fiction, written in verse. Set in Africa in 1860, it includes wonderful references to the Asante people and their rich culture. At first glance, I found the cover of the book a little underwhelming, and it doesn’t give much away in regards to the story line. I really enjoyed reading about the colonialisation from the Asante perspective, and the clear message that the pre-existing language and traditions were and are not only valid, but hugely important. I love how this was reflected in the conversations between Kofi, his parents and his teacher, and the conflicts caused between individuals by the introduction of English language and history to the school curriculum. I wasn’t sure how to feel about the ending of this book. Leaving it open to interpretation rather than spelling it out. I am very glad I took the time to read the Twi translations in the back of the book – most of the meanings could be worked out contextually, but I loved that Kwame Alexander explained the meaning of all of the symbols used and referenced in the story.

Mrs Sirrelle
BFS Umbra

This book was alright. I enjoyed reading it but I also feel like wouldn't recommend it to someone. Personally the book moved to fast. A lot was happening at once and I feel like it could have slowed down more towards the end. One of the main points the author described didn't even end up happening. However the book had a nice plot and I liked the fact that it was written in verses rather then chapters.

Ivy
Kingdown 24

Vey powerful but also informative of what happened in these times, But also a light read and easy to enjoy. Good job Kwame Alexander!

Daniele
CGA

Simply wonderful. A story full of hope and emotion, trips and turns and great surprises. My favourite part was any time Nani Mosi told a story (at the start of the chapters and a couple other times) because it was fun thinking about what the tale would tell. Would it be a story of the past, the future or something else entirely? I would award this book: 9.5/10 If you ant to read this book, prepare to step across a door of no return!

Charlie
HHS

I enjoyed The Door Of No Return because it has a wonderful way of conveying relationships.It made me cry several times as I got really immersed.

Beth
Christ’s Book Society

In my opinion The Door Of No Return was a marvellous, fantastic and adventurous book which was set in the Asante Kingdom in Africa. It is all about a young boy, named Kofi Offin, who lives a normal life with his three sisters, his brother, his mum, dad and grandpa, until his brother accidentally killed the prince of the lower region of the kingdom. Everything turned downhill from there. Kofi was kidnapped and his brother died, however he stayed strong and at the end everything went back in his favour. I would recommend this book to anyone above ten years old. My favourite character was Owu because of his helplessness. My favourite part of the book was when Kofi and Ebo swim in the river together.

Husayn
Perse Carnegians

Initially, I was not particularly captivated by this book because I prefer reading prose but I grew to enjoy it as the plot developed. "The door of no return" is well-written and I like the writer's use of symbolism throughout the novel, particularly with the river which shows freedom, hope and a place of sanctuary for the protagonist. Kwame Alexander also uses repetiton effectively, such as on page 214-215, where the same paragraph is repeated and added to each time. This technique is used in several places throughout the novel, which really emphasises the point the writer is making. This is particularly apparent, when the writer repeats "is not you." I really enjoyed the vivid imagery in this novel and the themes within the novel, as well as the use of dreams to convey Kofi's subconscious thoughts. Overall, I think this book uses language and structural techniques effectively and is powerful.

Isabelle
Holt Readers

Overall I enjoyed this book as it gave a really detailed insight into history in West Africa before colonialism and African tradition. Although I enjoyed the ideas and themes of this book, I didn’t like the way it was structured in verse as it felt very forced and unnecessary so I would personally prefer it if it was written in prose. It was interesting to follow the life of Kofi on his precarious journey to fight for freedom and I would recommend it to someone who would be interested in reading about Africa.

Frankie
No Shelf Control

This was a book where a story was set into a poem. I didn't really enjoy this book because it wasn't really much of a poem.

Grace
SuAS Shadows

The Door Of No Return is a thrilling story about a small village in Africa populated by the Asante people. I really enjoyed this book and even though it is a poetry book I still liked it even more than I would a normal book. This book teaches you a lot about the brutal captivity and bondage of Africans as well as the transatlantic trafficking and trade of human beings. I did not know a lot about this and was intrigued by how much it taught me about it. What I loved about this book was getting to know the traditions of these people such as celebrations, food and education. An example of one of their traditional foods is Kenkey which is a West African dish similar to dumplings usually served with pepper sauce and soup. Furthermore, what I also loved about this book was that Koffi (the main character) loved swimming and I could really relate to this as I too really enjoy swimming. Normally I do not enjoy reading actual story lines set in poetry form, but this book has really changed my mind and got me thinking about reading different books than I normally would.

Evelyn
Fortismere

'The Door Of No Return' was a spectacular book, in my opinion. This book has quite an interesting plot, with the protagonist's love for childhood friend Ama and how he has to beat his cousin in a swimming contest to decide who is the stronger of the two. Furthermore, the story's idea that Kofi's older brother Kwasi killed the lower kingdom's prince by accident at the festival was also an interesting plot point. Finally, the element that makes it the winning book for me is when Kofi and his cousin swim towards the shore after being captured by the British as if their rivalry had been patched up. In conclusion, I firmly believe that this book is a strong candidate for the Carnegie Medal.

HuzairHG
4Shadowers

I started reading this book after it was recommended to me by a friend of mine. I didn't get very far as the way it was formatted was like a group of poems. I personally found this hard to read and decided to give up and read another book. From what I read I found it interesting and would have happily read a book with the same plot but a different format. I was disappointed as I was really looking forward to reading this book and generally I think it is a good author.

Henry
SGS Book Club 2024

What I liked most about the book was how it showed the importance of where we come from and how it shapes whop we are. The author, Kwame Alexander, describes Ghana so vividly that I felt like I was there with Kofi experiencing everything he did. Even though the book talks about serious topics like slavery, it does it in a way that is easy to understand. It’s not just about the bad stuff. It’s also about finding hope and strength in difficult times. Overall, The Door of No Return is a book that made me think and feel a lot. If you’re interested in stories about family, culture and history, I definitely recommend giving it a read!

Habib
UoBS Bookworms

The Door of No Return is written by Kwame Alexander. It is about a boy called Kofi who lives in Upper Kwanta, West Africa. In my opinion, I found this book very action packed and full of adventure. I like how at the start it is very calm and peaceful but as the story carries on it becomes more gripping and exciting. I would recommend this book to older people and people who like historical fiction. Overall, I would give this book 8/10.

Isla
UoBS Bookworms

I like how the author is telling a story from a young boy in the past who was captured and sold into slavery, because this showed us the horrors of the mistreatment of slaves. The boat which was their transportation broke down in the sea, and the book ended with Kai finally being able to swim into freedom, helping his cousin who once looked down upon him. I can see that the author put a lot of effort into writing this book, as he thought about trying to foreshadow what was going to happen in the sections with Adinka symbols. Even though the book was written in poems, it did not make reading harder, instead, I found it easier to understand and comprehend what has happened. I also like how the author uses spacing, italics and boldings on certain words to show how and who they are spoken by. I would definitely recommend this book to others!

Mila
Beauchamp Champs 2024

The door of no return Introduction Kwame Alexander Non fiction/historical context My teacher assigned it to me The first thing that stood out to me when looking at the cover was a flying bird. After reading the end of the book I found out that it symbolized the freedom that the natives from what we know as Ghana today longed for. The book was a very mature and a historically insight to the transatlantic slave trade. It is also a historical representative of the life that natives had before their abrupt abduction but also the horrendous aftermath, either being enveloped by the sea or taken to a foreign land where a foreign tongue is spoken, where you are surrounded by a harsh, diverse, and alien-like environment. The author Kwame Alexander was born in New York in Manhattan and wrote books that raised awareness for a multitude of topics, in this case he wrote the door of no return in 2022. He turned the light to the topic of slavery: the Transatlantic slave trade, a vicious cycle of abducting african natives and distributing them on a global market scale and the book: The door of no return resembles and paints a picture of this process quite accurately. The Setting Ghana 1860 By the beginning of the story kofi is surrounded by good and bad aspects, but the most important thing other than family is a river, the River Offin a place Where KOfi found sanctuary and a place to think it also granted him a pillar where he could treasure, nurture and practice his amazing skill, swimming, in the story KOfi multiple times is described to be a graceful swimmer like incorporating his swimming skill with fish and other animals that belong in the river habitat. This could symbolize Kofi having a sense of belonging in the river waters and a sense of him fitting into the aquatic river surroundings. In most of kofi's surroundings he has a feeling of not belonging, take the school classroom for example, their is always something targeted at him whether there taunts or occasional praise directed, his teacher forcing a foreign tongue on them, kofi’s rarely speaks up and loses his belonging, another example is home sometimes, at some moments by the beginning Kofi would rather spend his time making merry and leisure at river held close to him. By the end Kofi experiences multiple settings from an upper camp to a castle to a dark dungeon with jet black shadows and dying friends, to the open sea. The Characters Kofi: Kofi’s personality is broken apart and indescribable with one emotion. The broken personality may symbolize the structure of the writing, instead of just the regular story format, it is broken into poem-like structures which are broken up parts of the story. Kofi helps a lot of people and helps them to develop their new life, their new settings and their new abilities but he also himself has to adapt and face the troubles and predicaments he is in, but he also gets haunted by his brother's barbaric death. Ama: ama is a character who we never get the satisfying romance with kofi but we are left to assume what happens to ama by the end of the story as she has lost her parents and lives with her relatives. she is very supportive of Kofi and she believes in Kofi's ability and she aspires to help him develop his skills to the full, ama’s personality is a caring person who will care for her friends and those who hold her dearly Ebo: Ebo is one of Kofi’s only friends and he is the one who sets Kofi up against his cousin in a race for the best racer. Ebo’s personality is bent on helping those who he considers friends and he sets temp up to prove themselves, he sets Kofi up and at the race. it all does go wrong and that is the last time we see Ebo but we can assume due to the vicious cycle of slavery he is abducted and forced into slavery after the events of The door of no return. Relatives and prisoners: Kofi’s brother Kwasi is the root of the swirling chaos that unfolds, he kills the prince of the lower side, but as a result seals his fate and his brother’s Kofi his parents are strict at some point and are important figures in the village community, Kofi’s dad is the head of gold digging, a rare commodity in what we now know as ghana, and his mum plays an important role as a mum. Kofi meets prisoners and slaves on his journey leading to slavery, he meets rebellious males, who died trying to revolt or they die as they cannot adapt to their surroundings, but the prisoners Kofi encounters die. Plot Beginning: kofi enjoys his day to day life in upper Kwata and the problems he faces, his teacher schooling him and his peers a foreign tongue, also the main threat in the beginning of the story is the fact that Kofi’s brother Kwasi has killed the heir to the other side of Ghana which in the middle part of the story results in the death of Kwasi and forces Kofi to adapt to a slave life. Middle: Kwasi is dead, and Kofi is devastated, but he must quickly adjust to his life as he is a prisoner or a slave to the lower faction, the lower faction sell Kofi along with a handful of different boys to a castle full of white people, (before these events a man from lower Kwata called two fish attempt to save the handful of boys from the horrors of the camp but this fail resulting in two fishes death.) This is something Kofi has never seen before and he is intrigued by them, as soon as they arrive they are placed into a dungeon where kofi meets new people and begins to realize the fate of what he now knows he is: slaves Ending: Kofi is taken on a ship controlled by white people. Kofi is intrigued by these people but knows to keep in line or he will meet a similar fate to his brother Kwasi, during the voyage the sea swallows them and demolishes their slave vessel, and Kofi discovers a handful of people he knew were on the slave ship with him, at the end Kofi flies away to a plane of freedom with his cousin. This could be a euphemism for death. But in a slave's mind, death may be freedom and I believe this is what the author is trying to suggest: that freedom is what slaves who have experienced indescribable horror desire. Conclusion This book was a mature insight to a slaves full life within their life before and during the transatlantic slave trade, I would recommend this book to people who have historical knowledge into slavery and understand what slaves actually experience. I also advocate that before you read this book you research and look into the deeper definition and what it is meant or implied by slavery. The last key thing I would suggest is that this book gave me a deeper awareness of what slaves back in the slave era had to experience. good bits: the things I enjoyed were the plot and the historical homages to the transatlantic slave trade. bad bits: the things I did Not like was the structure of the writing which was verse writing, I just felt it was more a poem than a book.

Renzo
No Shelf Control

Svetlana
Ousedale Shadow Chasers

i really liked it but i found the ending to be quite boring and some parts dragged on a bit. excluding those flaws, I say it was a brilliant book.

noah
Ermysted’s

The door of no return was an enticing story that has lots of potential. The intial story took some time to get going but it made up for it midway when the book took a drastic turn. In general, I enjoyed the the story, however, it could have had a better ending.

Akashnil
TBGS Readers

The Door of No Return is a brilliant book, in an untainted culture with festivals aplenty. I very much enjoyed finding out about all of this. What I also liked about it is that at first the plot seems predictable, but then everything changes unexpectedly, when one of the protagonists is captured. Definitely 10/10. I have recommended it to my Year 8 peers.

Hugo
Sandroyd Bookivores

The novel “The Door of No Return” by Kwame Alexander is a novel with great twists and an imaginative method of delivering the plot to the reader. The story is told in a series of linked short stories and poems that depict the challenges Kofi Offin faces during his transition into adulthood within his tribe in west Africa. The book presents the many typical hardships that a teenager might face such as bullying, love, rivalry, and school in a detailed and complex manner. Alexander Kwame has gone above and beyond and looked deep into the life of people living in colonial west Africa and has explored deeply the mindset of those living under sovereign rule. The author has also presented the brutal fate of many Africans that were captured for enslavement, being sold to American ships - the same American ships which flew the star spangled banner that represented freedom and liberty for all men. ‘The Door of No Return’ is a masterclass in compelling storytelling and a must read for anyone remotely interested in history or politics. It tells the untold side of the African saga and is a beautifully written and immersive novel which I highly recommend.

Billy
The Lotus Readers

Kofi lives in West Africa and is obsessed with swimming and he is as fast as a fish and went up against his friend in swimming to win and see who is better. One day Kofi is living a normal day-to-day life, watching his brother fight and he makes new friends along the way when all of a sudden he is taken away and as he tried to trade with his friends he is put into a dungeon with a lovely lady who acts like an Auntie towards him with all the other kids. They are put on a slave ship together and are sick and poorly with no food and he believes that when the Auntie figure took her life to jump in the sea, he could take his best friend and escape so they flew together into the air and away from danger. I really enjoyed this book and would thoroughly recommend it. I loved reading a narrative told in the form of poetry.

Faye
HHS

Could be seen as extremely niche but I absolutely loved it. I ended up finishing it in two settings. The ending is a bit of a let down but it could also be seen as a work of art because of how it fits. For a change of pace from my usual books this is very very good.

Qasim
To Read Or Not to Read

It was alright not my favourite though. I think there should be more writing.

Naomi
Herts and Essex

My Review of The Door of No Return – By Kwame Alexander I thoroughly enjoyed reading this amazingly gripping book full of twists and turns. This book is about how an 11-year-old boy eventually gets stolen from his village. This book is about a boy called Kofi. He lives in a village called Upper Kwanta, and their village are rivals with Lower Kwanta, he lives with his family. When a festival is held between the rival villages a sudden, startling death happens – putting both him and his brother in danger. He then gets taken from the village and ends up battling for himself to stay alive. I liked the way Kwame incorporated another language in his writing – and also gave a glossary which I would refer back to in order to understand the word. This is not a book I thought I wouldn’t like as I haven’t read many verse books – but I ended up loving it. It is definitely a book I would recommend and should absolutely be considered to win. I would say this book is for the ages 11 – 13.

Sakeena
TPS Carnegie Collective

Firstly I was not at all interested in the book, but as I forced myself to read on it started to adapt and as I got to him being captured, I was all for the book and kept reading! From then on it was amazing and i especially likes the ending. But I do feel that Ama could of had a more of an important role in the story.

Jack
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

this is an excellent and insightful book about the African slave trade. the main character is very well written and the books message is very powerful

Eve
Fortismere

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to all bookworms and any who are into history books. It was very relatable even if it was based on historical events, it’s still relevant today as it teaches us the journey we make through our lives and the warmth around us comes from our cherished ones. When ever these people are taken away from us, we feel cold and lost however this a journey we have to make face reality and improve ourselves. I felt nostalgic and happy as well because, this book reminded us of the importance of our home, morals and dreams.

Hafsa
Rad readers

I thought this book was very powerful in its simplicity and short sentences. it was very sad yet told a tail of hope and defiance I loved it.

benjy
Fortismere

The door of no return follows a teen boy called Kofi Offin living in 19th century West Africa in a place called the Asante kingdom, modern day Ghana. The first part of the book shows what his life is like and what he gets up to from day to day, from getting in trouble at school to fights with his cousin to hanging out with his friends to trailing the girl he likes. It seems like a good insight into what a normal life looked like for a teenage boy in Africa in the 1800s. However, as they often are, things are not all as they seem. When an unexpected tragedy happens at a big festival, Kofi is faced with even more questions than he had before and is also faced with an almighty challenge. Does he have what it takes to Survive and return to his family a hero? This book is written in verse which confused me when i first started reading it as I had never read a verse novel before and was unfamiliar with the concept. It is also written in first person which gives the reader a more in-depth perspective of the challenges Kofi faces and the emptions that he feels. The verse aspect of it mean that it flows in a rhythmic way like a poem while still telling a story. It's has themes of hope and conflict and a whole band of complicated feelings that are conveyed beautifully as the book stretches on .This book also sheds an interesting new light on this particular period of time and what it was like for West Africans when the English, or 'the Wonderfuls ' as they are known in the book, arrived and gives an insight into how a young African boy would have seen them. While this book is very beautifully written, the ending is a bit confusing. It feels as if their are many loose strings that have been left untied. It feels as if there's is a chapter missing or an epilogue that should have been added. Overall, this book it a gorgeous quick read that really makes the reader think.

Saskia
Fortismere

Overall I found The door of no return to be rather slow and boring. It focused mainly on mundane things without much action. Another thing I found was that the book was left without an ending and without a sense of closure. But I think that it covered the topics of grief, guilt and slavery very tactfully. It was an okay read.

Martha
Fortismere

In my opinion The Door of No Return was amazing. The style was strange to start with but once I was used to it, it made reading it even more exciting. I loved the way history was mixed with fiction making it an exhilarating read I also loved the use of an African language, again enhancing the read 5 stars from me.

Caspar
The Marlingtonians

The Door of No Return is a powerfully written book exploring African traditions and culture. It takes you on the journey of a boy named Kofi Offin when he gets taken from his village in the middle of the night and imprisoned on a slave ship . I loved the historical aspect of this book, the detailed description of Kofi's town and experiences and how the writer incorporates a different language into the book (Twi) which taught me some new words I didn't know before. I also really liked how the writer used Adinkra symbols at the start of each chapter to foreshadow what would happen next, it keeps the reader hooked and interested in the story. Initially, in the first bit of the book it is quite slow paced, but it picks up as the story continues. A great read! 4.3/5

Athena
St. George’s Dragon Readers

The door of no return is a book of historical fiction set in Africa and written in verse. The verse is written differently to lots of verse novels I have read, and some of it seemed more like prose, but I quite enjoyed this. I liked the emotion put into the text throughout, and the ending was especially good with that. However I thought that the story should have continued, even if it was just an epilogue, because it seemed like it didn't quite have a satisfying ending.

Mabel
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

Kwame Alexander's "The Door of No Return" offers a poetic exploration of history and identity within the walls of Cape Coast Castle, Ghana. While the premise is promising, the execution falls short in maintaining engagement. The novel-in-verse follows twelve-year-old Amari as she grapples with the legacy of slavery, yet the pacing feels uneven, with moments of stagnation interrupting the flow. However, amidst these shortcomings, Alexander's lyrical prose shines. His vivid descriptions evoke the haunting beauty of the castle and its dark history, drawing readers into Amari's world. Despite the narrative's flaws, the themes of resilience and hope resonate powerfully, reminding us of the importance of confronting the past. In conclusion, while "The Door of No Return" may not be without its faults, its poignant message and poetic language ultimately make it a worthwhile read. Despite its challenges, the novel succeeds in sparking important conversations about history and identity that linger long after the final page.

NavaanshCI
4Shadowers

This book also had a unique poetic structure, which made the book more interesting and fun to read. It was about a boy named Kofi who is a normal boy who goes to school and loves swimming. However, he gets captured and forced to leave his hometown. This book was also sad because he was just a normal boy who didn't harm anyone but he was put into slavery. I would rate this book 8/10.

Rohana
Plashet School

The Door of No Return is a good book about an Asante boy finding his way through the struggles of growing up. The first half was slightly basic with no clear plotline but full of beautiful, uplifting messages about following your dreams. These could be a bit too cryptic at some points though. Then the book takes a darker turn as Kofi (the main character) becomes abducted by slave traders. Then, it follows the gut-wrenching journey of Kofi, and how he and other slaves never lost hope during the unpredictable journey to their doom. Towards the end, it began to feel slightly rushed but this only added to the tension. The very end though, felt unfinished and quite sudden. However, I am still intrigued to find out what happens next.

Emily
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

The Door of No Return - Kwame Alexander “The Door of No Return” is the story of Kofi Offin in 19th Century Africa. I personally enjoyed that in the beginning we followed a regular everyday story of a schoolboy. The format adds a simplicity to the novel however I think it could have been interesting if the format were used more to represent the content. I enjoyed the fact that the formatting of the story meant the contrast to Nana Mosi’s stories had more impact. I think one of the main themes of this book would probably be family. I think this shows very strongly when we see that Kofi’s true desires are: to start a family with Ama, be like his brother or become wise like Nana Mosi. Also when he decides to rescue his cousin at the end of the novel I think it really represented his integrity and morals given that his cousin was never anything but cruel to him. The only issue I really had was that I found the middle few chapters confused me a little as I didn’t understand the kidnapping or the ritual or where all the other children had come from in Lower Kwanta and I found it a bit complicated. Overall I enjoyed this book and would give it a ⅘ stars.

Ava
Tractor

I must admit I'm growing a little tired of free verse. But Kwame Alexande is the master of it. This tale of a veritable paradise being disrupted by tribal warfare and then slavery, is an easy read (as most free verse is) but compelling enough to make me want to know what happens to Kofi in the next instalment.

Jacqui
Weavers Inklings

I didn’t really enjoyed this book. To be honest I didn’t really understand the book and I don’t really like historical books and I didn’t like the plot. I liked how unique it was so I will rate it a 5/10.

Emily
Sale High Readers

When I first started this book, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as poetry isn't really my thing. However, I have been pleasantly surprised- I absolutely loved it! The way it captures everyday struggles and more dangerous rivalries through poetry makes for an interesting and totally unique read.

Eleanor
Pride and Paperbacks

'The door of no return' is a truly inspiring book. It teaches us not to look at the devastating effect of the African enslavement but also their past and the life they were taken from. My favorite character was Afua. She was kind and put on a brave face for the younger kids around her despite of what she had been through. She was a glimmer of hope a pillar of support and a symbol of love .I would recommend this book to 12 year old's and above because it taught me about some of their culture and previous lives though it can be a bit graphic and violent.

Chloe
UoBS Bookworms

I didn't like the book because it was hard for me to read as it was a verse book so I tried to read it like a poem and it was in first person but kept re-reading the same line multiple times. Not for me.

Aiden
Plumites

This book takes a very dark turn as he gets captured for his brother accidentally killed the air to the lower part of the kingdom. His brother then suffers from the trial of losing his fingers and then gets killed. He then has multiple escapes that fail until they go on the boat...

Jennifer
GreatB00ks

I really liked it, it was a very unique book and it was a very good verse book. It was very different from the others as it was shorter but one thing I would like to change about it is that it could be more clearer (the poems)

Kyra
Plumites

An emotional book that shows the impacts of colonialism and slavery in a realistic and moving story with brave and loyal characters. who truly care for one another.

Mahalah
Plumites

Paisley
Free School Readers

This book is a new view on slavery.It shows the true history of african-americans starting from their roots in africa.The story has a hopefull ending with a dove representing peace

Sayuru
Ermysted’s

I enjoyed this book as it was set in a context that I never usually read. I think as a book it has not got enough description and that would make it a more enjoyable read but the idea behind the book I think is very good. Overall it was an okay read.

Luke
Tenbury Page Turners

The Door of No Return is a slow paced book that used rhythmic language and beautiful imagery to engage the reader. It was a different genre than I usually read, but I still very much enjoyed the book. It has quite heavy themes, such as war, but the lights hearted nature of some parts of the plot balanced it out well. I felt myself slowly get attached to the protagonist, Kofi, as the book progressed and I found myself rooting for him as he faced different hardships throughout the book. The ending left me wondering and a part of me felt like there was still some loose strings but all in all, in my opinion, it was a very good book.

Tilly
Horsham BOok HUNTers

The Door Of No Return is about a boy called Kofi who lives in Upper Kwanta. He and his friends play in the river every day and his grandfather tells him magical stories. One day, at the annual wrestling competition, Kofi's brother Kwasi accidentally kills the prince of Lower Kwanta. Kwasi and Kofi are kidnapped by the king of Lower Kwanta and Kwasi is murdered. Kofi and some others are kidnapped again after they escape Lower Kwanta. They are moved to a ship and they travel across the sea, further and further away from home. The ending was sad, but the message of hope was nice. I would recommend this book to people who like captivating stories that always keep them guessing.

Aditya
Beauchamp Champs 2024

"The Door of No Return" offers a poignant and moving glimpse into the life of 11-year-old Kofi Offin, who is tragically torn from his village and thrust into the horrors of slavery. The story beautifully portrays Kofi's innocence and resilience as he navigates through the challenges of his new reality, making it impossible not to root for him every step of the way. However, while the themes of love, loss, and betrayal are undeniably powerful, some readers, like muself may find themselves grappling with the book's unconventional style. The use of short chapters and verse may not appeal to everyone, especially those who typically shy away from poetry. Personally, I found it difficult to fully connect with the story due to the unfamiliar format, and I struggled to immerse myself in Kofi's journey as a result. Nevertheless, despite my reservations about the writing style, I recognize that this is more a matter of personal preference than a reflection of the book's quality. Readers who enjoy exploring different narrative techniques or who are open to the challenge of verse may find "The Door of No Return" to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read! Overall, I would give it an 8/10

Sivithi
Plashet School

The Door of No Return was not in my top favourites. I really couldn't cling onto it and although you may argue that because it is a different background it would be hard to relate, my favourites all are different to me, yet I still loved them. I felt the ending was quite rushed. I would rate this 4 out of 10

Ankita
Bishop Bookworms 2024

Ellie-Anna
Bookiewookiedoodaas

‘The Door of No Return’ is a story about a young boy who is trying to claim his place in the world before he is taken and sold into slavery. The book follows his sorrows and turmoil as he and the people around him suffer and attempt to escape their cruel fate. Kwame Alexander does not hide from the brutal realities behind enslavement and I found the representation of the many people who went through the same story heart wrenching. The focus on how Kofi enjoys swimming made him feel like a normal person and shows the fact that these people had a life before slavery with hopes and dreams. All the characters were believable and brought their own stories into the book in a way that complemented Kofi’s. The use of verse in the novel made the book a quick read whilst capturing the raw emotions and thought of the characters. However, I found the vague ending, although memorable and meaningful, quite abrupt. I finished the book in one sitting, crying almost throughout the entirety of reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone as the story of the transatlantic slave trade needs to be known, particularly, those with an interest in verse novels covering difficult topics might enjoy this book. Overall a book well worth reading.

Ellie-Anna
Bookiewookiedoodaas

This book has altered my perspective and kept me hooked till the very end. When beginning my journey with this book, I was really intrigued to see how the author, Kwame Alexander utilised poetry as a storytelling device. I was definitely not disappointed. The beautiful language and motifs used throughout the book to show Kofi's journey as a character were extremely effective and made me empathise with him and feel as though I was in his shoes. Although some of the poetry was difficult to understand, it made reading the book more interesting, each poem like a puzzle piece and once all of those puzzle pieces slotted together you get a satisfactory ending with heaps of character development. Alexander deals with difficult topics such as loss, grief and slavery in this book and does so in a graceful and poetic way which helps to highlight the hardships that Kofi faces and does not take away from the grounded and real nature of the book. This book also helped enlighten me on Western African culture which was really enjoyable and uniquely crafted by Alexander to be very naturalistic and also beautiful and breath-taking. I genuinely could not put this book down and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys a challenging but satisfying read, with plenty of plot twists and moments that make you audibly gasp.

Shayna
Holt Readers

I really enjoyed this book. It feels like a window into the life of Kofi Offin leaving no small detail untold. Everything felt so small and that meant that every single page was brimming with detail. I liked the idea of the book being written in verse but it definitely took some getting used to as it disrupted the flow of the words until I DID get used to it. Not my favourite but still worth the read.

Alexander
THS Shadowing

I read almost half of this book and I couldn’t really understand it very well. The way it was formatted was quite cool though.

Poppy S
Norwich High School Bookworms

This book provides the sudden flip and contrast of problems faced before and after the colonisation by the main character illustrate all of the lives suddenly taken away by Slavery. This was a great book to read.

Joshua R
Ermysted’s

This book is full of suspense, though also much sadness, however, through the sadness, the writer manages to filter through the aspects of hope. Based on real life slavery, it draws the reader in through every poem, told with much feeling, but I didn't like it that much as it wasn't that interesting.

Swan
Denbigh Shadowing Group

not gonna lie a 5/10 i dont know what to think of this i kinda got bored after the brother died and from their it was sort of plain and i didn't understand the ending

Ira
Denbigh Shadowing Group

I enjoyed reading this book because of the way it was written in poems which made it a fun read. I did not expect that the son of the tribe leader would be killed in his fight or the main characters kidnapping. I liked all the mystical parts of the story like the river and forest monsters. And I liked the ending because we don't know what they meant by 'flying'

Dylan
Ermysted’s

I really enjoyed the story line and I LOVE the title, The Door of No Return. I also like how they described the scenery and the characters. My favourite character was Kofi because he's very explorative. I really loved this book and I would recommend it. My rating is 5/10.

Sarah
Open Book

I really enjoyed The Door of No Return. The book was amazing, however, the first chapter was confusing so hard to get into at the start.

Mia
The Hart, the stag and the Rufus

I think this book is an amazing book to read. Dealing with the slave trade, it is very emotional and I felt devastated at the end. 10/10 great book!!

Armaan
Westborough High

I found the difference between the start and end of this book was large as at the start it was the ordinary life of a child but towards the end it became much darker. I found this book intriguing as to the story line but I was a bit unsure of how it is written, I felt myself having to pause every few words to be able to continue reading. I found this book very factual. I would rate it 8/10

Alice
Sale High Readers

Uniquely written and well thought out characters are only some of the things that Kwame Alexander has created. It was an interesting read for me, something unlike anything I have ever read before. Although this just wasn’t my type of book so I did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped, it was indeed a well written and well-crafted piece. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy poetry and like the unseen sides of history.

Srivarsha
Watford Girls

I think this book was written in a very gripping and entertaining way. in this book, Kwame Alexander manages to grip the readers with some entertaining scenes while still keeping the brutal subject on which this book is based. I especially liked the verse format as it allowed you a moment to breathe in between each amazing verse. I also thought that the way that Alexander managed to write in such a distinct style of an 11-year-old boy came through really well. The history behind this book is fantastic and can teach you about the slave trade and the colonization of Africa. One of the ways that this is demonstrated is by the character Mr Goodluck Philip and his adoration for Britain and its rulers (and the "Mr Wonderfuls")

Mattia
Fortismere

It definitely took me a while to get into the book due to the layout of the book, but I got used to it eventually. The first couple of chapters felt slow, but it soon sped up. The book covers some sensitive topics, and there are sections in it that go into detail about how people are killed and abused. The book is a good insight into African culture and traditions, with each chapter starting with a folk tale. If you are into those sort of books, this is the book for you. I think it's a good book, but it isn't the book for me and I probably would not recommend this book to a friend.

Piper
LSST Library Shadowers

The book was well written and rather informative surrounding what the British people did to those involved in the Transatlantic trade. While there were a few points within the book that I was slightly lost or confused about, it was a rather gripping book when I got past the slow start. The ending page for me was rather anticlimactic but still managed to be a good ending to a rather rollercoaster-like book of emotions and small twists.

Addisyn
Book Squad

The Door Of No Return is a wonderful book. It follows Kofi, a young boy who lives in 19th century Africa, and his view of the world around him. I loved that the author introduced the reader to the type of world that Kofi would have lived in and how his life would have changed completely when his home was threatened. This was a very sad novel, and the author was very simplistic with the 'traumatic' sections of the book, so I found myself shocked about the different events that take place. My favourite character was Kwasi, Kofi's older brother, as he is a brilliant mentor for Kofi and he had a wonderful personality. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it. Overall, I'd give it a 9.5/10.

Ela
KES Bookworms

The book itself was great. The way the book's words were portrayed were wonderful and overall it was a great book. My main and only issue with it was that the ending felt a bit ambiguous for me , I believe the book could benefit with a final chapter just to explain how things actually ended instead of leaving us in the dark. Overall the book was a masterpiece and if it were not for that one issue , it would also be perfect.

Aeola
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

4.5/5 Definitely one of my favourite reads so far. A large proportion of this year's books are written in poetic verse, but this one especially stood out to me for its rhythm, creativity, and ability to tell the story just as well as a 'normal' novel. The plot always kept me guessing - it wasn't boring or predictable - and towards the end I was gripped by Kofi's adventure over the land and sea. I liked how (although it is aimed at 12+) Kwame Alexander didn't soften or tone down the horror of the enslavement of African people. The setting of Ghana, West Africa is one I haven't read about before and I enjoyed learning about this area's culture and traditions. Furthermore, an added element of interest was the historic setting because Kwame Alexander broke the stereotype that African people were previously primitive or barbaric - instead he portrayed them as a developed and intelligent community. Finally, Kofi's repeated thoughts and dreams about the river tied the novel to nature and emphasised the beautiful, special setting.

Alice
Book and Biscuit Club

The story is based on a boy who lives with his family in Africa. In the first part of the book the author sets the scene and describes life there for Kofi who goes to school, plays games with his family and enjoys river swimming. It's clear from the authors description that he himself has spent a lot of time in Africa and this helps to build a picture in the readers mind. The second part of the book takes a dark turn when Kofi is kidnapped and whilst being held prisoner he witnesses his brother being killed. Kofi attempts to escape from his kidnappers along with his fellow prisoners but they are unsuccessful and end up being thrown into cages and shipped off to an unknown destination. The author manages to capture the desperation Kofi must have felt at his incarceration but when the ship gets caught in a storm and is torn apart by lightning the tension rises as Kofi's escape seems possible at last. However, then he is faced with a terrible decision - should he swim away and save himself or go back to rescue his downing mean and horrible cousin. This is a clever twist in the story and faced with such a dilemma, encourages the reader to question what they would do.

Matthew
Lionheart24

This book was really good although it was a bit confusing at some point. I also really like the story. One thing I don't like is that it ends on a cliff-hanger, many people (myself included) only read this for Carnegies and people usually want to finish a book with a completed story.

Harriet
SCD Pageturners

I am currently reading 'The Door of No Return' and I think that it's cleverly written because you want to read on and it is definitely a page turner. You can clearly feel the character's emotions through the words and I liked how each page has a separate story because it feels like fragments of Kofi's life. I would absolutely love to read to the end of the book.

Crystal
SCD Pageturners

The book is definitely making it's way into one of my favourite books. It was fun and I like the way that it was put onto the page. I felt that it was very empowering.

Ved
SCD Pageturners

'The Door of No Return' is a empowering novel that follows the life of Kofi Offin and the adventures he shall take as he enters manhood. It includes 7 long chapters. which i found irritating, due to the motivation to finish the book and only being met by another page filled with another poem, which brings me to my next point, the book is structured as a poem format. It also includes dialogue with various different characters. It also includes a numerous multi-cultural slang.

Olivia
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd

I really found this story poignant, and as the plot line sped up I found myself very hooked. Despite, being confusing at first, I found the use of Twi and symbols a interesting edition to the storyline. I found the use of verse confusing as the title varied whether it was the first line or not and it felt awkward to read. However, the separation of the verses seemed natured as they felt like individual scenes. Overall, I found the plot very interesting and it highlighted the problems caused by colonialism.

Esther
CGS CAKE Club

This book is not one of the greatest books in the my opinion but i think it reflects on how different our society is to the society of the 1800's. Slavery doesn't just involve the USA with all its apparent ' freedom '. it involves merchant ships made in europe. The slaves themselves coming from mainly the west coast in countries like: Guinea, Ivory coast, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and sometimes even Angola and Namibia. We really don't realise how slavery impacted our modern society and our laws. Kwame Alexander has my respect

sam
Ermysted’s

Review on “The Door of No Return” This book is about a boy named Kofi Offin and his family in a village. He loves swimming in the river and talking about his school crush Ama but is too shy to tell her how he feels. He is forced to speak English by his teacher, and has some other troubles throughout the book. Overall, I would say that this book is very interesting and beautifully written, there are some moments of the book where they feature sensitive topics, but it doesn't go into much detail. I would say that at some points of the book -particularly at the beginning- I found myself a bit bored. In conclusion, I would rate this book a 7/10.

Isabella
SHS On The Same Page

I liked this book. I loved it when Kofi had a range of emotions throughout the whole story and then saved his cousin in the end. However for me it was a little bit difficult to read because of the writing layout. I would give this book 10/10.

Emma
Fiction Addiction

I really enjoyed The Door Of No Return. My favourite character was Koffi Offin because he was brave even when facing people who were much bigger and stronger than him. The thing that I didn't enjoy was that the ending came a bit abruptly because I was't able to find out what happened to his friend (Ebo) and what happened to Ama (his crush).

Nathan
St Martin’s Bookworms

Kofi, a young boy living in Upper Kwanta, lives a peaceful life with his family and friends, but, when the Prince of Lower Kwanta dies in a wrestling accident, he is taken by men hungry for vengeance. After a failed attempt at escape, they are taken to a fortress, where they become slaves. With only his dreams to guide him, will Kofi be able to escape. I really enjoyed the Door of No Return. I thought it had a very interesting plot, with lots of unexpected twists throughout and I really sympathised with the believably innocent character of Kofi. I felt that the use of poetic verse really suited the dream scenes, but I did find that there were times in the story that could’ve used more description, and areas that felt a bit rushed, especially at the end. In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this story to others, as I found it a beautifully heartfelt story, with good character development.

Alexander
Perse Carnegians

The Door of No Return is a really good book (spoiler alert) filled with love compassion and loss. It shows the everyday life of a young African boy who lives a normal life, including rivalries, friends and crushes. But his life is turned upside-down when he is taken away to the slave trade. The cliffhanger at the end enables us to hope for what we know may be impossible, but it is nonetheless an incredible book.

Kristina
Brooke Weston Book Busters

I really liked this books story, but I wasn’t a fan of the way it was written.

SL
St. George’s Dragon Readers

This is the first book in verse that I have read. It has proved to be a spellbinding introduction to verse novels and is sure to become a common sight among libraries all over the world in the future. Since I have never read a verse novel before, this was a completely new experience, dissimular from anything else I have ever read (which is saying something as I read a LOT) . When reading a traditionaly written novel, everything is clear, the characters, the surroundings, even down to little details, but when reading a verse novel its sort of like looking through clouded glass, everything is less clear and you have to create some details yourself, I will be reading verse novels again, but I personally feel that they are a little to clouded for my liking.

Taya
Book Squad

This book is written in a very easy to read way. The short poem like chapters help to keep the story going. I like that the main character, Kofi Offin, is very easy to relate to. He is young, he goes to school, he has a crush. I absolutely loved the character, Auntie and how she helped all of the children, she told her story and listened to theirs an comforted them through the difficult time. The ending is very left to the imagination, but I like that, because it gives the option for a happy ending.

Rosie
Novel thinkers

This is an amazing book about a boy from Africa who loves to swim, very good story, very inspiring. I loved the story and when the main character felt down somebody nice was added like the lady who looked after the kids in the prison and was lovely to the main character, to the story giving him another spark of hope on his long journey.

Josh
Novel thinkers

I am not usually the type to not like books. I am a really big book lover but something about this book just really makes me mad. I think it is because the author is of a little bit of Ghanaian heritage but just not fully Ghanaian. I really like authors that write about heritages of places based on research or even visiting to know more about the culture. I am from Nigeria, Africa and I really treasure our stories being told to the world. I really did not like this book. I did not like the characters especially Kofi, Ebo and Ama they just seemed like the typical and stereotypical characters in African life that just happen to have bad stories and things that disrupt their lives or something to make them leave the country and it is always to either America or the United Kingdom. The author does have a beautiful method of writing and a good way of presenting challenges and situations but I do not like the book for the above reasons.

Esther
Plashet School

The Door of No Return is a great book to use when explaining more about slave trade from the perspective of the slaves. It gave a good atmosphere and fully explained the surroundings of the Kwanta tribes. I found the book very gripping but I thought it needed another chapter at the end as it didn't really feel complete.

Eliza
Broadland Bookworms

The book had a slow start but when you hit chapter 3 it started to get good. The end was a bit disappointing but as I now know it is a trilogy it makes sense and will be reading the next two.

Leah
The Hart, the stag and the Rufus

Not for me at all! May be historically accurate but it was to cruel, violent and graphic after the slow, boring start which wandered a bit and I found hard to follow. Quite an adult book.

Izzy
Ousedale Olney

I found this book enjoyable. It successfully portrays the horrific actions of the Atlantic Slave trade. Kofi started off by being naive and unaware of his actions having consequences but later he realises that he might have had some influence on the events. I cant wait for a sequel because it was left on a cliffhanger. I rate it 5.5/10

Ambrose
Chippy Chapters

I really enjoyed this book and it really shows what British colonies did to the countries around the world. However the format of this book was really hard to read but other than that this a good book.

James
SHS On The Same Page

This book was quite interesting as it was full of action and was written in an Intriguing way,something that no one has done before.

Ryan
Ermysted’s

I wasn't able to understand this book but its layout was a bit different and interesting.

Miguel
Killy Krew

Initially I was not enjoying this book but as I delve deeper into the chapters I found myself hooked. There were many moments in this novel where I found myself confused or lost but this didn’t stop me powering through to find out what would happen in the end. During the last chapter I absolutely loved the emotional rollercoaster it took you on and the writing was amazing. The poetical structure helps when reading this and made it easier to read; I would totally recommend this to someone who is willing to re-read and loves deep emotional stories.

Ava
Dallam Bookclub

It has a very interesting layout which can make it hard to follow the story and who is talking. I understand the meaning of the story but it’s not something I would choose.

Poppy n
Royal Readers

I found this book rather intriguing as the story told a very heavy topic as a novel in verse. Not as a play script, nor a narrative writing. I think the author did this to give a sense of empathy as the book already has elements of violence and urgency. The book is about an African boy, from Ghana, telling his experience before they were shipped to America. It helps the reader understand the situation from a different perspective. I think it should be read by older individuals, as young people may struggle to find its complex denotations.

Devak
Perse Carnegians

"The Door Of No Return" by Kwame Alexander is a great book about 1860 in West Africa and a boy called Kofi. I really liked this book because of the unusual style in which it is written. the poems that make up the whole novel are very easy to read but can be interpreted in many different ways. The book contains a lot about the history of that time and it taught me a lot about the past and geography of this region.

Isla
Weald of Kent Sevenoaks

I liked this book of African History however I thought this book was too gory and I don't like all the death. The story ended on a bit of a cliffhanger and we didn't know what happened to the characters. I did like the story line and layout but it was too gory for me. I would recommend this to people who like historical stories and a bit of gore.

Freyja
Weald of Kent Sevenoaks

A good book with an interesting plot. It is to the point with its poems and really ties in with the theme 'the door of no return'. Kofi's life is torn apart and pieced back together. It can be hard to interpret sometimes but with careful reading, the to the point sentences craft a great storyline.

Lola
Weald of Kent Tonbridge

I did not really enjoy the book as it was a bit confusing. The way it incorporated a lot of West African culture was quite nice. The ending was a little confusing as Kwame Alexander somehow managed to finish the book but left the ending somewhat unfinished.

Talya
Fortismere

I loved this books and how violent it was! I was very gripping and it drew me in with loads of cliffhangers.

Maya
Herts and Essex

This book provides an insight into the devastation that colonial Britain caused for African communities. The sudden flip and contrast of problems faced before and after the colonisation by the main character illustrate all of the lives suddenly taken away by Slavery.

Dhiren
MTS Northwood

I really liked the structure of this book and its historical relevance to slavery. The poems brought out important elements in the story. It also highlighted the importance of African culture and diversity. 9/10

Ethan
Bookiewookiedoodaas

i did not enjoy this book. i feel like i was thrown into the story without any idea what was going on. i didnt like the layout becuase it was confusing and i didnt felt like it flowed very well when in was reading it. the sub heading fo reach paragraph was confusing because sometimes in was part of the story and other times it wasnt. this inconsistency wasn't helpful. the book took a long time to get into the main part and by then i was already loosing intrest. this was one of the few books which i actually 'dreaded' to read. it was boring, confusing, and not well presented.

mae
Fortismere

'The Door of No Return' is an incredible book that fills in some of the enormous gaps in Africa's history. Often we are taught about the movement of people from Africa to other continents as part of the slave trade but, this text focusses on what has come before. We become part of Kofi's community: witnessing conversations, watching rival villages compete, being schooled by Goodluck. We see the rich tapestry of Kofi's life knit together through poetry, dialogue, stream of consciousness and symbols opening our eyes to how life was for millions of people before the west changed everything. This book has the capacity and power to change mindsets, educate and entertain. There are moments where your breath catches as you experience such extreme highs and lows. The characters are rich and vibrant and you feel as though you are witnessing everything alongside the narrator as Africa becomes a living force on your page.

Hannah L
Glossopdale Readers

This book is great! It took a while to get in to it but it is worth the wait because after that it is impossible to put to put the book down. Its great.

Ayyub
Beauchamp Champs 2024

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a moving historical fiction that focuses on the history of slavery. It’s set in 1860 in the Asante Kingdom, now know as Ghana. The story starts in the Upper Kingdom of Kwanta where the protagonist, Kofi Offin lives and follows him as he listens to fireside tales of his ancestors, swims in his favourite lake, battles with his older cousin, loves a girl named Ama and discovers the harsh wounds of grief after a disastrous festival between rival villages. The book is written in a really interesting, lyrical way. The story is told from Kofi’s point of view, and it’s written in poetry and is split into chapters by stories Kofi has been told about the land where he lives. In each chapter, the story is split into poems and each poem has an interesting title that is either the start of the first sentence or a word that describes the whole page. Alexander uses very eye-opening, heartfelt metaphors to describe the surroundings or how Kofi feels. One of the pages I vividly remember is titled “I no longer count the days” and ends with the sentence “Now I only count the black holes left in the graying chambers of my breaking heart.” Kofi is 11 by the way. The main characters of The Door of No Return include Kofi, his best friend Ebo who thinks that eating red berries will make them grow taller, Kofi’s cousin Kofi Katari who is forever picking on him. Kofi eventually challenges him to a swimming competition to impress his crush, Ama. Kwasi, Kofi’s older brother, is an athlete who will compete in the village games during the Annual King’s festival. After this point, things begin to change for Kofi and he finds himself on a heartbreaking journey that takes him away from everything he has ever loved. Overall, The Door of No Return is a great read for anyone who is interested in historical fiction. It’s easy to read but very deep.

Jasmine
Sidcot Shadowers

BOOK REVIEW: THE DOOR OF NO RETURN – KWAME ALEXANDER The book 'The Door Of No Return' by Kwame Alexander is an eye-opening educational poetry style book that brings awareness to the outside world of historic event slave trading in Africa, specifically in Asante – now known as Ghana - in this book. The story is set in 1860 and looks into multiple characters’ lives to show us the real things that went on it their cruel life. Not only did the book include one character plot, but multiple to really show how many millions of people this event affected and suffered from. The author describes their lives in vivid yet powerful paragraphs. He uses short sentences with striking words to make the book appealing. For example, Kwame Alexander describes the characters haven of gold mountains so powerfully such as ‘The river was bedded with enough gold to make a century of royal stools for the royal kings… a thousand shiny bracelets for their wives…’ and this is only one of the first sentences in the book. The way the author writes the paragraphs is so simple to read, making it easier for readers who struggle with big paragraphs but want to read a gripping book. There's a new chapter almost every other page with makes it an easy page turner that pulls you to read on. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about the history of the slave trade because ‘the door of no return’ includes everything within slave trade in deep explanation. In the ‘note from the author’ Alexander explains that though a difficult and emotional book to write, he wants people to know it is one that has to be told. The book is targeted to a teenager to adult audience but could be read to younger readers to learn about the history of the slave trade.

Amber Mrs Egan's class
Sidcot Shadowers

The door of no returns is written in a beautiful and poetic way, the descriptions are effective but not over done, they help to visualise the story. The book is based on traditions and culture with a sense of peace and war. A variety of emotions are displayed by Kofi and the development from him becoming a man. I got so lost in this story and struggled to put the book down!

Farah
Malvern St James

I did not enjoy this book. It is set in Africa during the expansion of the British Empire. I personally think the main problem is that nothing happens for most of thee book, then too much happens all at once. If the author had spread out the action, it might have been a bit more enjoyable. The Door Of No Return is also written in verse, but it is not a poem. It seems like the writer finished the book, but it was too short so he just put loads of empty space on each page. I did not enjoy it.

Jack
The Marlingtonians

This book enlightened me a lot as to how cultures live and struggle in places like Africa. The journey of the main character is very well written and i love how it shows what their lives are like , I loved the ending and how you get to know the relation to the front cover and all the build up

Felix
Ermysted’s

I found the book; the door of no return very harrowing and emotional and I was gripped to read it ( I read it within a short amount of time because it is written in a different format) I really enjoyed the riddles because the book made me think about what some of the lines meant because some of the sentences were not straight forward, you had to search for hidden meanings which I enjoyed .

Chloe
Herts and Essex

I would say this book was very interesting, with an unexpected plot. Although, some parts of this book, can be confusing at times, because of the different perspectives, once in a while, it is an excellent book. It also explores some real life history, which makes the book likeable for me. It also explores the views and emotions of the characters really well, therefore i would say its a good book.

Krupa
TCOLC Perfictionists

The door of no return is about a boy called Kofi who lives in a village in Africa. He goes to a strict school where he is bullied by his cousin. When he is captured in the middle of the night and taken into slavery his life is turned upside down. I liked how the author has used the real events and turned them into an interesting book that makes you more aware of the struggles of slavery. I also liked the layout as it was very easy to read. In summary I think that The Door Of No Return is a brilliant book and I would recommend it to any 11-13 year old interested in history.

Henry W-R
Ermysted’s

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a unique book that explores African traditions and culture. The story is narrated by 11 year old Kofi Offin, who lives in Upper Kwanta, and enjoys being near the waters and swimming. Every year, a festival is held to unite Upper and Lower Kwanta to celebrate festivities in honour of the treaty that was signed to end the war between the two villages many moons ago. When a wrestling contest at the annual festival turns deadly, Kofi is thrown into a life-threatening situation and embarks on a journey that separates him from everything he loves. I thought The Door of No Return was a decent novel. I think this book is unique in that it is centred around African culture, which personally I haven’t found talked about in many other stories, so I think it is good that there is more variety being shown in this novel. Kwame Alexander is an exceptional author, telling the storyline through verse, and I felt that he created tension and allowed the reader to sympathise with the characters. He also demonstrated a powerful message: hope can set you free. I liked the unexpected pivotal moments and twists during the book (they were my favourite parts), but sometimes it felt dull and not gripping enough; I didn’t feel very excited to read on. During conversations, I found it hard to tell who was speaking when or when a piece of dialogue was finished because there were no inverted commas. Also, I thought it was difficult to tell what century this novel was set in, though I assumed it took place in the 1800s. The ending felt rushed and unfinished, leaving me confused, but I hope that the sequels to come in this trilogy will explain it better. To summarise, I think The Door of No Return is a beautifully written novel with a strong message. However, I did find it confusing at times and not interesting throughout. I would recommend this book to avid readers, but over the age of 13 as it contains detailed descriptions about violence and distressing topics.

Lucy
The Fitzharrys Shadows

This book follows Kofi Orrin who lives in a small village in upper Kwante. A place I could not believe was fictional due to the author's amazing descriptions. The most obvious thing you notice when reading the book is that it is written in verse. This might seem challenging to read but after a few pages you get used to it. It is a refreshing break from prose and also made the book seem more original and represents the traditional storytelling traditions of west Africa. The story might seem slow at first, but you can see the beauty of the detail that the author has crammed into 430 pages. From the games that Kofi's grandad always wins to the endless yams in yam season. The books pace speeds up when drama enters the plot meaning that you can barely put it down! I was also taught history I would have otherwise not have known about such as the Swedish castles in west Africa! I would highly recommend this book. It does contain some quite violent scenes. It is the perfect length although I wouldn't have minded it being a bit longer. 9/10

Ben
KES Bookworms

This was a very interesting read for me, a thrilling story representing the realistic struggles through life. One of the best things about this book is Kofi's character, probably one of the best characters I've ever read in a book. Another thing is when you turn at the back of the book, it has listed the Adinkra symbol which was fascinating to me. It's a good book and I recommend it! 7.9/10

Shara
Plashet School

In the seemingly peaceful world of the Asante kingdom of Western Africa, there lives an eleven year-old boy named Kofi Offin. He is your usual boy of that age, with a good friend, crush and a sworn enemy who happens to be his cousin, also 11. However, when the local festival goes wrong, Kofi’s life is put in danger. I really enjoyed reading this spectacular tale and I would honestly say it is one of the best books I have ever read. It has such a meaningful story about the struggles of colonialism mixed with the perils of growing up. I recommend this to all readers as I'm sure you will love it!

Owen
Larkmead

I really liked the Door Of No Return as the writing was presented in very small "chapters" which I really enjoyed reading as they directly get to the point instead of wasting time with extra vocabulary and description. I really liked Afua's character as she cursed the captors and jumped into the water as she proved that she'd rather die then be around the heinous people any longer. I would really recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the slave trade.

Sania
Plashet School

Shreya
Perse Carnegians

The Door Of No Return I would reccomend. Very emotional and there are plenty of life lessons and morals inside. This might be one of my favourite books I've read.

Elsie
St Kaths

Kwame Alexander’s ‘The Door of No Return’ was a step out of my comfort zone - being the first book I have read that is written in verse. This format was complicated to say the least and I found myself losing the plot at multiple occasions, having to read pages twice or three times through to understand what was happening. Another reason I had trouble reading this book was that there are not clear or frequent chapter breaks making me have to spend big blocks of time reading instead of being able to have a five minute escape from the outside world. In my reviews I usually like to write about the storyline but I am still having trouble figuring out what was happening in the first place and lost the plot so many times, I can’t even find a snippet of the book I understand. Overall, I found ‘The Door of No Return’ complicated and extremely difficult to understand. 1.8/10 - would not recommend.

Hope
The John Mason Shadowers

This book was very sad in the end. However, I did find it a little boring because it involved wrestling, swimming and a sport I didn’t understand, Oware. It was interesting to read because it was set out in a different way to regular books.

Kazim
Going Places

It was a very moving book that gave an insight into the life of the prisoners stolen from their homes. The story was beautifully told and I especially liked the ending. It made me realise how lucky we are and how something like this must never happen again.

Amy
Horsham BOok HUNTers

I really enjoyed this book.At the start it was quite confusing to grasp who was who as it was a whole other culture,some words in another language,and lifestyle.It focused on a young boys life,how one small accident by his brother affected both of their lives.The rhythmic language really emphasised the scenery,the background,and personality of the characters,making it quite poetic at times,or humorous.The drastic change in his life at the concentration camp severely contrasted his previous life just one month ago,and at the end when the aunty had martyred herself,it was a powerful move,touching the heart of readers as the mc swam and became a bird,referencing back to the cover of the book.

Razin
Ermysted’s

Meaningful story that had a lot of potential and a decent story ending however I would find reading the back of a shampoo bottle more entertaining

Samantha
I Forgot the Name of the Group

I hated this book. I feel the characters and their story arcs were not properly developed and as such, I as the reader felt no connection or sympathy to the main character, making a dull and monotonous book that created no intrigue, interest, suspense and excitement. Secondly the ending fostered no emotional response from me, which is the exact opposite of what a “hard hitting” book should do. Thirdly , while the use of verse could vastly improve many titles, I do not think it was used correctly in this novel. Finally, however I will commend this book for attempting to tackle and difficult and tragic historical event. I would rate this book a 3.5 out of 10 .

Ethan
The John Mason Shadowers

The Door of No return was a very good book that got your heart racing. It brought out many emotions. The book had very surprising and sad twists that kept the reader interested. I thought it was very good at the middle and the end of the book. The writing in this book is of a very high quality.

Stanley
Reader Leaders

This beautifully sorrowful tale of slavery, culture and violence is still ringing in my heart, the story so immersive and tragic I could not find it within me to stop. The novel was gripping and the idea of telling this story through poetry and spoken word truly enchanted me. The emotion, atmosphere and credibility all sang truth and captured the horrific history of the Middle Passage and history, in a way that educated me and brought me to tears. The descriptions and poems were remarkable and I savored each word- to conclude, I believe this book is a gift and should be treasured, and has been my favorite of all the shortlisted.

Zaynah
Bookiewookiedoodaas

This was written in an interesting format which I would later encounter in the book. ’the boy lost in the maze’. It showed you the perspective of the native Americans when they were captured by the Europeans. Most of the book was staged in the village, making you get used to the problems in the village. When they are stolen, the sharp and sudden contrast in story and atmosphere makes you realise just how scary it would’ve for the children Combined with the fact that the main characters brother just died makes it seem as if the world had gone to the dogs. Extremely well written, very captivating, amazing book.

Konnie
DCGS1624

This book was not the best I’ve read. The concept of how the British colonisers capture kofi then he escapes by achieving his dream to fly. But I wish that at the end it told us if they survived and made it back. Also sometimes I didn’t know what was going on as it used a lot (really ALOT) of metaphors.

Helena A
Herts and Essex

I loved this book because it was really suspenseful and the way it is written makes such a big difference as I knew what was going on. I rate it 5/5

Bella
Herts and Essex

I found this book to be ok. It was a bit slow at times and not too much happened. I think that the verse style in which it was written was a bit basic when compared to crossing the line and the titles were quite boring. It could be because it is the start of a series of books but I think that some more could have happened. The ending was pretty good with a cliffhanger. Overall an ok book but nothing special.

Yusuf K
Ermysted’s

In my opinion I found this book very moving as it was related to slavery and how they were treated. The violence was disgusting. When thinking about all the characters and how they were treated, I feel really sorry for them. I can relate to Kofi a little bit as he is always trying to be better than his cousin. But for me sometimes I am trying to be better than my sister as she has so many hobbies, which is like Kofi, as his hobby is swimming. When I started to read this book, I thought that I wasn't going to enjoy it, but as I carried on reading it I was hooked. I really recommend this book.

Casey
SPS Book Clubbers

This book is the perfect blend of adventure and action with a sprinkle of actual real life. In one word “perfection”

Ming
Ermysted’s

This is a book about a young boy named Kofi Offin, who lives in west Africa. He is keen to learn but is upset that he has to learn English, because he doesn’t like the concept of not speaking his own language. He also has a cousin who is much better than him at nearly everything and bullies him. He has a crush on a girl called Ama, and is taunted about it by his best friend Ebo. Kofi is tired of being bullied by his cousin, so he challenges him to a swimming race, the one thing that he is very good at. But then, at a festival, his older brother kills a prince of the neighbouring county in a wrestling match, and it looks like he will be executed, until the elders of his tribe decide that it was an accident. Everything seems to be fine, except for the fact that his older brother has PTSD, and can’t forgive himself. Suddenly, Kofi, gets kidnapped by the rival county, and is forced to watch his brother get killed. He is then sold to an english slave trader, who takes him aboard a ship bound to England. This book was an OK book, and I like how it was written as a poem, but I feel that it was really rushed, and just didn’t sit right with me. For example, Kofi goes from worrying about a race, to watching his brother get killed, and they didn’t expand on that. I just feel that it is really unevenly paced, because they spent so much time on him in his village, and maybe a quarter of the book on all the actual exciting parts of the story, which were too rushed to fully enjoy. Not the best book of the shortlist in my opinion. 4/10 score.

Richie
Euro Bookworms

An absolutely breath-taking read. "The door of no return" takes you alongside young boy Kofi Offin on an emotional roller-coaster you won't forget anytime soon. The powerful, lyrical writing style in this book really adds to the emotional story filled with love and family, grief and hope and war and rivalries. The pages have a magnetic pull to them which leave you finishing the whole book in one sitting. the poems are an experience with a range of different lengths and themes but they all share the same traits of being hard-hitting and gorgeously written. I can't think of anyone I wouldn't recommend the book to, I think it's a great introduction to poetry and a story that will leave readers speechless.

Levi
St Augustine’s Challenge

The Door Of No Return is a thrilling, gripping book about a boy who lives in Africa with his tribe and is captured by the Lower Kwanta's tribe because of his brother who killed the prince of Lower Kwanta during the festival when there was a boxing match. My favourite bit in this book is when they are escaping through the forest as it gives a lot of mystery and suspense as you may not know what will happen next. Overall, it is a great book that caught my attention from the start and keeps you attracted as you read the book, I would definetly recommend this book.

Bulent
Fiction Addiction

A beautiful poetic book, based in Africa, with emotions being presented in extraordinary words and ways. Its easy to read and very much enjoyable, with a powerful reminder of what the Africans went through in the Slave Trade. Parts really tugged at my heart - how a normal boy, just like me, experiences so much horror. 5 stars from me for this MUST-READ.

Evan
Bennett Memorial Book Club

I didn't mind this book. I loved the way the story is told. The detail, the emotional rollercoaster, it was thrilling. Although I'm not a fan of poem books, this may have changed my mind. My favourite story was definitely 'A conversation with a dark lady' I loved the way they portrayed the lady and how she was such a comforting soul to when she was in an unfamiliar surrounding. So overall, I quite enjoyed this book but would've liked it if it were not a poem book as they are quite complicated to read.

Eloise
KC Chatterbooks

A wonderfully crafted book . I would expect nothing less of Kwame Alexander. Tender and lyrical. The subject matter was very hard to read in parts but a necessary story to be told.

Mrs Parr
Appleton readers

The Door of No Return is a very immersive story with lots of action and excitement. I think the style of writing was perfect for the book as it was very short and impactful sentences but still gave lots of context. I would change the cliff-hanger as it leaves you just as you get to the most intense part but I also understand why Kwame Alexander chose to leave the book there.

Chloe
SCD Pageturners

I personally really liked this book as it shows us the struggles of someone who has to learn a new language, as in the book main character has to learn the English language as well as make new friends etc. I also thought it was inspiring how the main character had a bad past due to things that had actually happened to them and how they overcame these traumas and showed bravery when needed.

Kaitlin
OSSMAORATORS

This is an amazing book that is really well written and has a great story. I thought this book should definitely have a sequel since it ends in an amazing cliff hanger in which you can imagine how it ends.

Tilly
HAYES BOOKSTOPS

Sorrowful at the end yet joyful at the beginning, this book was emotional, and speaks of the great rivalry between two places in Kwanta.

Meira
Going Places

I really enjoyed this book. I think the author really illustrates the story through their use of vibrant language. It really paints a picture!

Mia
St Mary’s RC High

This book never really got going. The plot was pedestrian and failed to entertain the reader, with it charting the life of Kofi Offin who's existence is just starting to get interesting when the book ends. However, the character development was somewhat pleasing with the protagonist Kofi slowly becoming less like a naive child and more like a man. The style helps the book flow with the description also capturing the imagination, however the dialogue wasn't thrilling and combined with the lack of an engaging plot means that the book doesn't really pull me in. Some readers may enjoy this style of writing but I prefer to read book with a more developed plotline.

George
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book. Whilst it did not particularly grip me at the beginning, I found its pace increased towards the end and both the context and original idea were very interesting. It celebrates Asante and West African culture well, but also revolves around the theme of the transatlantic slave trade. As it is told from a young person's point of view, I thought the perspective was unique and whilst I would recommend this book, it did not particularly grip me overall.

Eve
St Kaths

This was a good book with a clear storyline and good character development. However, it was written in the form of many different poems, which made it difficult to understand, although it did help to convey the urgency of the storyline.

Lydia
LSST Library Shadowers

I really enjoyed the plot of this book and was constantly immersed in the story. The structure of the pages made it an easy and interesting read. The book also had some intense scenes, but they were written incredibly well!

Lillie
Beckfoot Oakbank Carnegies

A beautifully written historical verse novel, the first in a trilogy, about the Atlantic slave trade and the real lives of the Asante people in the 19th century in what is now Ghana. A story about a young boy Kofi Offin who is enjoying village life, swimming, playing Oware and hanging out with his friends Ebo and Ama until his world is turned upside down after an incident at a festival between rival villages. A compassionate and important read and I can’t wait to read book 2!

Mrs Mann
Brooke Weston Book Busters

The story starts with an 11-year-old called Kofi Offin who lives in a village in Ghana called Kwanta in 1860. Kobi goes to a school where he has a strict teacher who makes them learn English instead of their own language Twi. Kobi is a boy who loves hanging out with his family and friends and likes to go swimming. Kobi is no ordinary boy because he wants to prove to his friends that he can beat his bullying, stronger brother in a swimming competition. But before he could have a contest a festival was held in the upper and lower Kwanta, and, Kobi’s elder and stronger brother was chosen to represent a wrestling match for his village. But, something goes all wrong and Kobi finds himself being captured into slavery and he is shipped to America…the door of no return! This is book 1 in a trilogy and I hope you enjoy reading it as slavery still exists and it’s an important issue which still affects people’s life today.

Anita
Lionheart24

I love this story about this child who is determined to beat his cousin and cannot focus on the bigger picture. One of my favourite moments is when Kwasi accidentally kills the prince starting a secret conspiracy. This book is amazing, my commendations to the author.

Ben
St. George’s Dragon Readers

This was a very interesting read for me, a thrilling and enticing story representing the realistic struggles through indigenous life. I enjoyed The Door of No Return because of its unique story line, not being like anything I've ever read before.

Fran
Axe Valley Readers

The Door of No Return is, so far, my favourite of the selected books. With a gripping, yet careful start, the shocking end is enough to make anyone cry (it made me cry). I grew attached to Kofi and was always routing for him, forget about his cousin. You want Kofi to win throughout the whole book, showing how effective Alexander is at crafting amazing characters. With a slim, but still a chance of survival, you are left wanting a concrete ending. With the tragic ending resonating a point against slavery, it shows how people who are different have been, and seemingly always will be treated through human history. When it comes out, I will definitely be purchasing the sequel.

Cory
Axe Valley Readers

I enjoyed this book, the story was interesting and when he got taken it really shocked me. The element of history and culture in this book was also very interesting.

Erin
Saltash Sprightly Scholars

3.5/5 star read. I love how each poem tells a vital part of the story. I loved how the story was told. However, I didn’t like the ending as much because I believe it could have been better. I believe that the ending could have been much better than the boys swimming back home. Overall, the books was quite good.

Olivia
Riverside Readers

This book is about a boy called Kofi Offin because when he was born he was carried by the river Offin. He lives in Upper Kwanta, Ghana, where they dislike all people in lower Kwanta. He is a great swimmer but when he is preparing for the swimming contest, he gets taken to lower Kwanta and is stuck in his own memories. After this, he gets taken by the wonderfuls, can he escape? This book is really enjoyable and takes you on a trip to Africa. It describes the horrors of people smuggling and illegal slavery. It leaves you on a very annoying cliffhanger at the end, you have no idea if he’s going to be ok. I would recommend it to people who really enjoy books written in verse and are ages 11 and above. I would give it a 7.5/10.

Hannah
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I liked the feel of every day life within this book and it is shocking how quickly that was taken away from many people during the transatlantic slave trade. It is a novel in verse about Kofi and his life in west Africa in the 19th century and how it changes once he is abducted and sold. I also liked that the author uses phrases from Twi a language from Ghana, where the book is set, and shows also the different traditions and foods that are a part of Kofi's life and how colonisation affected it.

Daisy
Wyedean School

The Door of No Return is set in the land of the Asante which I believe is in Ghana. It is about a boy called Koffi Offin who lives in a village and has a relatively happy life with lots of friends and he loves swimming. When his older brother called Kwasi is in a wrestling competiton he accidently kills the son of the King of the other village. Later when the two are out they are kidnapped and Kwasi murdered. The other villigers then sell Koffi and other boys to europeans and taken away from every thing they love. I thought this book was great as it had some very unexpected plot twists and kept me engaged throughout the book. I would give it an 8/10 and highly reccommend.

Toby
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

In the Upper Kwanta village, 11-year-old Kofi loves his family, plays a game of Oware with his grandfather, and swims in the River Offin. But he’s warned never to venture to the river at night—his brother mentions “the beasts” who will kill him at night. But one fateful night, tragedy strikes, and Kofi’s world is changed forever. His life takes an unexpected turn, leading him on a scary journey across land and sea, far from everything he loves. Alexander’s compelling novel unfolds an unforgettable adventure that opens eyes and breaks hearts. The story weaves African tradition, mythology, and family bonds into a tale of courage and resilience. Why You Should Read It: Powerful Coming-of-Age: Kofi’s growth and resilience resonate deeply. African Heritage: The novel takes readers into African traditions and history. Heartfelt Prose: Alexander’s great writing captures both simplicity and intricate details. Themes of Betrayal and Friendship: The story explores complex relationships like the one between Kofi and his cousin. In Summary: The Door of No Return is an excellent choice for all ages. Prepare to be moved by this powerful and beautiful tale. The ending leaves it open for a sequel.

Nathan
Euro Bookworms

I found that ' The Door of No Return' was a very good book with a fabulous story. However, the verse writing was not to my liking because I find that verse writing is a shape of writing that is reserved to poems. The storyline of this book is very touching and eventful and the writer made the imagery very clear. I think the main character was in a very complicated situation, and the writer really expressed Kofi's feelings in a clear way. I found the story very entertaining and I was enthralled in the book and could not drop it. The verse writing disturbed me and I found it very confusing, especially for the dialogues. I think that my mind was just used to reading books like prose, so it confused me to read a story in verses, that I find reserved to poems. In conclusion, I enjoyed this book very much even though the shape of the writing confused me, and I would definitely recommend to my friends and family.

Clara
Redcloaks

I had to take a breath and a step back before writing this review: The Door of No Return left me without words. It tore me apart and stitched me together differently in the most beautiful and heartrending way. Kofi, and his life and dreams, pulled me in from the first page. I could feel his anger, his joy, his desire, his pain, and, while this wasn't a light read, hope underpins even the most sorrowful moments. By the end of the book, death has surrounded Kofi, but still he finds the courage to live and to be brave. In turns, this book made me almost laugh with acknowledgement at the relationship between Kofi and those he loves, and brought me close to tears. At times, it was a hard story to read, but it is one everybody should take inspiration from.

Martha
Dallam Bookclub

This book was good book with the poems really getting to the point. However, this wasn't my type of book so I didn't like it that much and it had little description in my opinion. I also am not a fan of poems and find them hard to understand. I also couldn't relate with the character that much throughout the book.

Izzy
Tenbury Page Turners

This was an interesting read for me as I don't normally read books of this style however the beautiful language and rhythm that Alexander incorporated within the book was enthralling. This was an eye-opening read with morals of family, forgiveness, equality and justice told through the fictitious African character Kofi Offin. Only a young boy, his life living in the African tribe was full of rivalries and hatred and he was forced to grow up a lot faster than most children of his age. It was a great learning experience getting an insight of African culture in the 19th century and the toils and hardships of that day and age, which are so drastically different from the issues of today. I never expected to enjoy a book of this kind and I have learnt to never judge a book by its cover! This story is a great read for teenagers and older children and the perfect way to discover more about the complex history of the world we know today through the cultures of Ancient Africa. This book was told in a beautiful manner and i highly recommend it for those looking to read a different type of story.

Khadija
Sharples Shadows

"The Door of No Return", by Kwame Alexander follows a young Ghanaian boy who got sold into slavery. I really enjoyed the book and the story behind, however the way it was laid out particularly confused me, even though I eventually adapted to it. I would recommend this book to someone interested in Ghana and it's culture.

Victoria
SHS On The Same Page

The Door Of No Return Story Review In this book the main plot line is about the English taking over the whole of Africa. This is with their language or the politics. During this story it follows two tribes that used to get on but now they are engaged in a huge rivalry. They set up this festival which had both tribes attending which turned out to be a vey bad idea. During one of the fights against the other tribes, Kofi's brother accidentally kills the leaders son of the other tribe. This leads to Kofi's brother being executed. I thought that the writer's style was very interesting, but id didn’t work in my opinion. I think that the poems lead for the book to be a very confusing read because the poems didn’t always lead to the next stage in the book. It also changed at the start of each chapter into normal paragraphs. The ending was pretty underwhelming because it doesn’t have a set ending it lets your imagine run wild this is something that I don’t like.

Joseph, Mrs Cody class
Sidcot Shadowers

2.5/5 I personally didn’t really enjoy the book as it’s not the type of book I am into but it was indeed a well-written and well-crafted piece. The author's attention to detail and their ability to evoke emotions through their words was truly commendable. The story's exploration of historical events and the concept of home was thought-provoking and beautifully depicted.

Isabella-rose
Riverside Readers

The Door of No Return was honestly nothing like what I expected, but it was rich and meaningful and maybe better than I was anticipating. I found the way it launched straight into the story, from Kofi’s perspective, made the entire book come to life and feel more real, although it took a while for me to fully understand who everyone was (this may just have been because I was quite tired as I read it though). I found the first half very descriptive and quite slow, which made the ending and turns seem quite sudden- I did find some of the first half quite long, but also somehow quite fast, however I think this contrast to the end reflects what was happening, and the way we got to know all the characters and experience it from Kofi’s perspective in the majority of the book made the horror of what is happening towards the end even more apparent. I also loved the use of symbols and stories throughout the book to make it more engaging and also more immersive in the story and culture, although I didn’t realise there was a glossary until the end, which would have been helpful earlier on. Overall, I found the book bittersweet and poignant, even if I felt some of the pacing was slightly odd.

Isla
TGGS Carnegie Readers

The door of no return is a book about the slave trade in Africa as Kofi is kidnapped and traded for supplies. I found it to be an interesting book and I think everyone should read it.

Alex
Bramcote College Bookclub

Kofi Offin: A young teenage boy brought up in upper Kwanta in the Asante kingdom. This book was written wonderfully, and had many exciting moments but thoughtful ones as well. It was written in verse, which is something I hadn't seen before in a novel, so it took me a little while to get used to, but when I did I fully embraced the story and enjoyed it to a great extent. It also included some history which we are not taught on the British History curriculum (but we should) but were at the time actively engaged in: thieving people from their homes and villages, forcing them to work for us. All in all a great book reminding us, in great detail, about the things we are never taught.

Rory
KES Bookworms

This book was a 8-star out of 10.It was very spellbinding and entertaining from the beginning to end. It revealed the hidden history of Africa; how people were affected because of their background. It was quite remarkable to learn about the Dark past set in the 1800's.We now should learn from our past mistakes and reflect upon them."History repeats itself"

Vinshu
TDA readers

This book was so good, I had to read it twice. Everything about it was amazing. It’s poem-like writing was perfect. Its plot moved me and it will always have a special place in my heart. Its characters, its atmosphere, the way it makes the reader feel. I will never forget this book or its ending. Every word drew me in, and it was a way I will never forget.

Greta
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

I did NOT enjoy this book. This is because it was written in a confusing way to read and understand. However, it was a very relatable book at times, but at others you could tell that it was made up. If I was to recommend this book to anyone, it would be to people who like poems and easy books to read. I would also recommend this book to people who like emotional twists and a book that seams so lifelike you feel you could be there with Kofi at several points in the book. I believe that The Door of No Return had too much information about the main character's family and his backing story. This book could have gotten to the point a bit quicker, and not have the chapters in between the verses while you were trying to work out what had happened in the bit before the start of the new chapter.

Phoebe
GreatB00ks

The Door of No Return is a poignant story, rich in history that deals with complex, sometimes horrific themes. I liked that the cover is striking, covered in bold waves, symbolic of the recurrent water theme. The structure is presented like free verse, which after getting into, I found wholly engaging, as it let the words flow as freely as Alexander intended. I felt like the warmth of the first half deepens the contrast between it and the second, allowing Alexander to convey loss. All in all, I thought that the Door of No Return was a well-written and eye-opening book with a bittersweet ending that is open to interpretation.

Emilie
KEVICHG

I very much enjoyed this book. I believe it has a unique and amazing way of showing the beauty of West African culture, even with the fictional elements of the book itself, and through the eyes of a young child I believe it is made even more fascinating and captivating. My favourite part was one simple line only in Chapter 2, a sentence spoken by Ama in riposte to a statement belittling Lower Kwanta: “They are us. They dream like we do. They wake like we do. They eat like we do. They are us. No more, no less,” Something about it stuck with me, I believe it was short yet very powerful, capturing the truth through repetition. I absolutely would recommend this to anyone interested in African culture and wanting to understand the slave trade better.

Verona
King James Reading Royalty

I'm going to be honest, this book wasn't too bad, however, it wasn't able to hold my interest for too long, it might be the length, or it might be the fact that I'm simply not into trying to tell such a long story in poem form. However, apart from my issues with the way it was written, the story in and of itself was great. The way they managed to show the fear and anger in people fighting against themselves, when they clearly had a greater threat to behold was excellent. The way this all started from a simple challenge, to a threat of life, to someone actually dying, all to people who speak "The Queen's English" and to rivalry over a bit of gold. Overall, excellent writing but the style didn't really interest me.

Ilias
St Clere’s School

“The Door of no Return” by Kwame Alexander is a book that is set in Africa in 1860 and follows the life and experiences of Kofi before he goes through the door of no return - and is shipped to the Americas. This book gives the reader an understanding of the wholeness of African lives before slavery. I really liked the way this book had a poetic form as I felt that it helped to explain the story. It did take a while for me to get into this book and I found that the main theme of it was unclear until very near the end, when things seemed to slot into place. I did enjoy this book and would recommend it.

Eaden
Marshland Readers

I found that The Door of No Return had an interesting story line. At first I did not want to read it as it was written in verse but as I read more, I grew to love the book. I thought that the ending was the best of the book. I especially liked the rivalry between the 2 cousins.

Kimika
SHSK Shadowers

The door of no return shows the dreadful terrors of what happened in the slave trade and shows the culture of people in Africa as a little boy Kofi turns into a man he gets kidnapped and traded for a few guns and bullets this story is heartwarming and it is very spuprising and misleading for a book written in poetry and feels like a normal book

Mariama
CTA Book Club

Through vivid description, Kwame Alexander portrays a story of love, fight and hate that enthrals the reader. A significant asset to this book is Kwame's potent use of metaphors and similes that (although Kofi does not understand them) give the reader a view into a completely different way of life. For the 21st century reader, the values of family, community and identity still strike deep, despite the story being set across a gap of 300 years. It is important to remind ourselves of what truly matters, and 'The Door of No Return' does so in a truly gripping way. "The bird who dares to fall is the bird who learns to fly!" - Kwasi

Steve
Orpington Library Older Teens Group

I appreciate how the book was written in verse as i have found that to be one of my favourite styles of writing! While I don't always enjoy historical-fiction, I found that it was dealt with in a very enjoyable way. I found Kofi to be a relatable character, making it all the more daunting when he is upset or dealing with problems. Overall, it was a very well written and enjoyable novel.

isabella
Carnegie Festival

This book was really good although I didn't like that it wasn't very obvious how old the main character was or what region they were in, in other circumstances this wouldn't be a big problem but for this book the situations at the start need the reader to understand what age group and maturity the character is. I really enjoyed all the wording and the structure of the book I think it gave it it's own atmosphere and it makes it really unique. I've never read anything like this before so it was an interesting journey which I enjoyed more than I expected. This book would not be great for kids under the age of about 10 because if you don't know enough about the history of that time period you're probably not going to understand.

Chloe
Bramcote College Bookclub

This book is very beautifully written and very interesting to read. It's one of those books that you just can't put down and have to finish. I loved this book and will definetely read more from this author.

Gwilym
Open Book

The Door of No Return is a really good book and it shows what sort of traditions the people in the book follow. I liked the fact that your name would be the day of the week you were born on but the second name was chosen for you. It is a fantastic book and I would definitely recommend it and it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I am looking forward to finding out about what happens in the next book of the trilogy.

Amelia
Skipton Shadows

I was personally intrigued by the book. Poetry isn't my type but historical fiction is. This was a mix between what i prefer and what i don't prefer it was a satisfying experience. the first half was kind of slow but then in the second half the story started to unfold itself. I loved the way how history was written like poetry, its a beautiful piece of art. Its a 9/10.

Tharun dev CI
4Shadowers

I don’t often read books in verse, but this book helped discover and enjoy this style, as I find the poetry really suited the heartbreaking topic of slavery and helped transmit the characters’ emotions in order to impact the reader. I also found the characters really interesting as although the story is set in a completely different time and place than me, I still find myself being able to relate to them in many ways. Furthermore, I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book as we don’t often learn about what enslaved people’s lives were previously like in Africa, and I thought this book brought me a lot of insight on Africa in the 19th century and how its inhabitants were led into slavery. However, I believe the ending was too abrupt and unclear, which made it feel rushed compared to the rest of the book. Yet, overall, I really enjoyed this book and the impact it had on me as a reader.

Maia CI
4Shadowers

"The Door of No Return" by Kwame Alexander is a powerful and poignant exploration of resilience, hope, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity. Set in 1860 in the Asante kingdom, in what is now Ghana, the story follows the life of Kofi Offin, a young boy whose world is forever changed by unexpected tragedy. Kofi's days are filled with the simple joys of village life—swimming in the river with his friend Ebo, summoning the courage to speak to the enchanting Ama, and practising tirelessly for a swimming competition. Yet, beneath the surface of tranquillity, tensions simmer, as Kofi contends with school lessons in English, rivalries with his bully cousin, and the weight of unspoken dreams. When tragedy strikes during a festival between rival villages, Kofi finds himself thrust into a struggle for survival that forces him to confront the harsh realities of his world. As he grapples with loss and despair, Kofi discovers that his dreams may hold the key to his freedom and redemption. Written in verse, Alexander's prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting a vivid portrait of village life rich in tradition and culture. Through Kofi's eyes, readers are transported to a world where joy and sorrow coexist, where resilience is born from the depths of despair. While "The Door of No Return" delves unflinchingly into the brutality of slavery and its impact on African communities, it is also a story infused with hope and compassion. Alexander's compassionate storytelling reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope to overcome even the darkest of times.

Xackery
Euro Bookworms

Kofi [the main character] has a normal life: go to school, hang out with friends, have a loving family. However, his brother is killed by their village's rivals. Not long after, Kofi is captured from Ghana, by white people. Obviously, during this time, equality wasn’t a thing. Sadly, I couldn't keep up with The Door Of No Return. Poetry just isn't my type of book, but if you are interested in this genre this would be a great book for you. I found myself constantly wondering what was going on. When I did figure it out I realised there was a really good story line and the author did his best to convey it. However, I really liked how the book is written in verses, like a poem, which makes it a quick read. I would rate this book a 6/10.

Shreya
Perse Carnegians

A perfect blend of so many themes, such as freedom, humour, and grief! Both ends of many spectrums like war, love, and despair are explored in this book! All the characters are so 'human', and therefore relatable...and, as written in verse, feels appropriate to truly fit the ties of storytelling and the like!

Leyla
KEVICHG

I liked the Door of no Return. I thought that it was layed out in a very different way to most books and showed the stages of being captured and becoming a slave. The fact it was written in poetry gave it a different kind of air than a regular story. It was good, but not my favourite.

James W-B
Ermysted’s

This book has a deep message, which is no matter what they have done family is always family. The book starts with main character, Kofi, annoyed at his mean and arrogant cousin, who is better than him at pretty much everything. After his cousin kisses the girl he likes, his best friend tells him to compete in a swimming competition with his cousin. However, his brother, Kwasi, competes in a wrestling competition and accidentally kills the Kings son. They take him away after the trial goes in his favourand murder him and Kofi is abducted by slave traders, who send him on a ship, away from his home. The ship sinks and Kofi recalls a dream he had about his cousin shouting for help which is what he is doing now. Kofi’s cousin was taken too and Kofi decides to help him and they set off back home. This book was quite interesting overall and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The character of Kwasi was one that had immense bravery even when faced with death and as the story unfolds Kofi matures under severe hardships.

Adam
Corsham Shadowers

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is about Kofi Offin who is drawn to water. Suddenly a death occurs and turns Kofi's world upside down. Throughout the book there is war and peace and I like how it highlighted the fact that there are still wars that are going on that we don't even know about just because it's not on the news. I like how the book was written in poetry because it was different to what I usually read but some of them had no body to it which made the story feel rushed. I found the book difficult to follow at times because it was confusing who the book was describing at the time. I like how the book was educational about the slave trade and the conditions that people had to go through. Overall, the book was ok but not my favourite. I would rate it 2/5.

Ella
Faringdon Community College

"The Door of no Return" by Kwame Alexander is a beautiful book that tells the forgotten history of the slave trade. This captivating narrative tells the story of Kofi and how his traditional, tribal life has been torn apart by the cruel claws of colonialism. This book is in poetic form, and although it does help to tell the story to a certain extent, at times I find that it hinders the ease of reading and I found myself becoming disengaged with the text. Something about it just didn't flow nicely. However, this is still a remarkable book that tells such an important story.

Emelia
Marshland Readers

The story is about an 11-year-old boy in a village called Kofi. A sudden death happens, which takes the boy on a journey to face his fears. When reading the book, I liked it when Kofi was brave enough to save his cousin when the ship was sinking and I felt the book had a strong message about freedom and the rights of children . I felt like the book took me on a good journey and I would recommend it to others to read - three stars (out of five stars).

Romeela
Rockwood Reads

I really enjoyed reading this book because of it's good story line and beautiful message. It was about a boy who lived a normal life in his own town but then his life suddenly all went wrong because of his older brothers mistake. Even though it had a sad ending the message of hope was beautiful. I would give this book a 4.8 out of 5.

Jola
Beauchamp Champs 2024

This book was very interesting. I like how the story is written in poetry. It had some ups and downs, the main character had a lot of hard and stressful times. The ending was very sad. I give this a rating of 4.5. At least Kofi is finally free.

Samah
Beauchamp Champs 2024

It was a really good book and I like how it described how the characters fix their mistakes and they learn from them. I also like how it is in the format of poetry so you don't get bombarded by all the words on the page.

chrystal
SPS Book Clubbers

'The Door of No Return' is a beautifully written verse novel, with an engaging final third. Unfortunately, this definitely feels as though it is setting up for a sequel (which to be fair, it is) though this makes it difficult to stand alone as someone who would not feel compelled enough to seek out the rest of the trilogy. The first two thirds was dull comparatively, and to me could have been woven as a flashback in between the present action instead.

Lara
Carnegie Carnage

The Door of No Return is a book about the abruptness, horror, and inhumanity of slavery. However, you could have never guessed this because the first half of the book was talking about the life of the protagonist, Kofi Offin. In this section of the book Kofi has a relatively usual life, with a strict teacher, a crush, a best mate, a sage of a grandad, and a cousin. Kofi always is mocked by his cousin, and so challenges his cousin to his talent: swimming. When Kofi is taken away, he realises this is not for his preparation to become a man, but instead "something much, much worse". After being sold a few more times, he goes on a boat bound to America, and sees the "man with no colour" for the first time. It is there that his friendship deepens with a woman (Kofi's "Auntie") who has also been exploited and is bound for America too. She tells him many stories, like Kofi's grandad. There is a clear theme of stories creating hope and imagination throughout the book. When Kofi's Auntie is taken to be raped by the white slave traders a second time, she jumps off the boat instead. Kofi is left despairing. A few days later, there is a shipwreck and he is forced to swim away, even though they are days away by boat from dry land. He sees his cousin, and it is then, there, that both of them realise the power of family. They swim away together. What I do not understand, however, is how they don't starve, as it would take hundreds of days to swim to where they came from... The style of the book was really annoying, as it was in "poems", but it was just a few lines of prose on each line to look like "poetry". The author used italics to denote someone else speaking instead of speech marks, which made it very confusing, especially when more than two people were in the same conversation. I didn't like how the author rushed the second half of the book because they elongated the first half to talk excessively about mundane life. What I did like however, is that this book, unlike other slavery books, showed the trade chain of people. It is a common misconception that white people stole blacks. This book showed that fellow blacks stole people and sold them to other blacks a few more times before they were sold to whites. Overall a mediocre 2/5

Benjamin
Perse Carnegians

The Door of No Return is an exciting tale set in Africa about family and friends. It follows Kofi and his growing passion for swimming, his childhood rivalries and love for a village girl. These concepts create a relatable and loving character. Normally I don't like verse novels but the poetry worked very well in this situation creating a rhythm that represented Kofi's connection to water. I also enjoyed how this book dealt with difficult concepts but used a naïve narrator so the book could be read by younger readers. Ultimately I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

Amy
Page Turners24

The Door of No Return is set in Upper Kwanta, a fictional place in Africa. Our main character is an eleven year old boy who is about to become a man, named Kofi Offin, after the River Offin. Kofi has a special connection with water, and dreams about swimming away into the great unknown. There are a lot of side characters, most prominently Ama - Kofi’s love interest - and Kofi’s cousin, also called Kofi, who tries to one-up our main character, in every way possible. There is one way Kofi plans to beat him though: a swimming race. The only character we really saw truly develop, was our main character, as his resolve hardens and he becomes braver and more mature, but I think this suited the story as it makes the ending and sudden change in Kofi’s cousin’s behaviour more drastic. The main themes explored are the slave trade and people trafficking. This is an issue that is becoming a lot less common as the world develops, but still remains a great danger for African citizens and people from other underdeveloped countries. Some of the other intertwining themes are corruption and cruelty: the actions of the white traffickers towards Kofi and his people are disgusting but real, and the way an angry king supports this happening just because of an unfortunate accident, is also hard to digest. I would rate this book 4/5; I am not a fan of verse books and I found this one disappointing. It was a very interesting read though and helped enlighten me about the themes explored: I had always been curious but not known where to start finding resources to learn more. I didn’t like that the story ended on such a massive cliffhanger, as it made me feel unsatisfied after finishing it; it suited the narrative but I felt a bit cheated. I would however recommend The Door of No Return to anyone interested in African culture and the aforementioned themes.

Tatiana
Rebel Readers

This book combines poetry and story-telling brilliantly to produce a really good book with symbolic meaning. Although it can be hard to follow, I thought it was worth the challenge.

Martin
TBGS Readers

This book felt heart-warming when I was reading it. In my opinion it was little bit boring at the start but as I kept on reading it got more and more intense. This book also shows how to tackle life decisions and situations. I absolutely loved this book.

Afreen
Skipton Shadows

I wasn't sure if I would like this book or not because it covered themes I haven't really read about and was written in verse, but once I got stuck into this book I couldn't stop till I finished it. There where some words I didn't know but overall this is an amazing book.

Hannah
Killy Krew

This book perfectly demonstrates and explains the struggles that people have faced and still do in other parts of the world. The book is written in an interesting layout as it is formatted like a poem, giving the authors amazing story even more of a beautiful flow. This book tells the story of a young boy as he faces struggles his own, unique struggles on his journey growing up in 1800s Ghana. Kwame Alexander - the author of this beautiful book - obviously has a deep understanding of the struggles people faced and the way they live. The book is masterfully written with fabulous depth and detail. With a nice lead up to the complex, fast paced areas of the book.

Lottie
Going Places

This book is full of sadness and action. It is set mainly around West Africa in a small village where the main character lives and it covers a lot of historical context about slavery. There is so much, I didn't know about this time in history. It talks about violence and death and how humanity has failed the slaves. I learnt why and how slavery is affecting people’s lives and how people had very little control over what happened to them in Africa. This book also showed how competitive villages in Africa were with each other. This is a remarkable read and I recommend it to anyone who likes to learn about African history and who likes verse novels.

Hayden
Bookiewookiedoodaas

Zara
Waldegrave School

I really liked the format of the book, it was way different than any other I had read . I really appreciated the way when the characters were shouting the font size increased but when they were whispering or decreasing their volume the font size decreased too . It had a story, i really appreciate the fact that the author had used those symbols and then at the back there was a glossary as well . This was the first book that I read which had a few poems in the middle . I love this book and would recommend everybody else to read it too .

diva
Waldegrave School

I really liked the book and it's moving story. At first it was okay, but as the story continued it got more touching. Even though the ending was kind of sad, I liked the message of hope at the end.

Jola
Beauchamp Champs 2024

Personally, poetry is not my favourite choice for a writing style and as such 'The Door of No Return' was originally not my first pick however once I picked it up and began reading it really started to grow on me. The descriptions were written out in a extremely creative way and I additionally found the story to be quite educational to the horrors of the slave trade. The only thing I could say I didn't like was how quickly the story progressed with little to no context. It also ended on a very unexplainable cliffhanger that made it feel rushed and unfinished. Overall, the book was better than expected and I would definitely recommend it to history and poetry enjoyers.

Hannah
SCD Pageturners

I would read this book again. The book is well written and I liked the way it was fiction about fact. Overall, very good.

angus
Chiswick Carnegie

This is a good book if you like reading in poetry. I didn't like the poetry writing style personally but I liked the story. It starts with love and has some drama, the further you get in the book the more drama that happens. The book "The Door Of No Return" is about two cousins who like the same girl, which one will she end up with?

Eloise
SCD Pageturners

The Door of No Return was a heart-breaking book and explained this historical event beautifully. I also loved how this book was written in poetry which made it easier for me to connect with the story.

Lauren
OLSB Shadowers

I liked this book as it shows the horrors of slavery and how some slaves can escape. There is also twists, little , like when the fish person helped them.

MuyangD
Ermysted’s

Kwame Alexander is an incredible author. Their book brings my imagination to life helping me to envisage the vivid images. Kofi Offin is a kind and loving boy, who loves to become one with the water. I think that he is a likeable character, helping people to become the best they can be by telling stories he learnt from his Nana Mosi who loved to teach people lessons by riddles and stories. I think that he is a helpful character who is trustworthy and a role model for good. Kofi listens to Nana Mosi, learning and remembering his words in times of great need. His dreams also guide him to be a hero and save his family because he loves them more than anything else. This story is written in the unusual format of stanzas which makes it more difficult to read initally but as you read on, it starts to become second nature. I find that it is unusual and unique. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Artie
Going Places

Overall, I very much enjoyed the book. I found it was written very well , I liked that it was written in verse and that the character was around my age. The main character was very relatable and I actually got very sad when his brother was executed in front of him. I liked the fact it was tough and not easy to read. I thought that the story could have used some plot twists, but the story was very life like and challenging. A really good read!

Oscar
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I found this truly amazing, one reason being the fact that it comes from a perspective that (nowadays) people can only get second-hand - I hope! The main character (Kofi) experiences his life the way that children should: go to school, hang out with friends, have a loving family. However, his brother is killed by their village's rivals, due to an unfortunate accident. Kofi is captured and sailed away from his home in Ghana, by white people. This was obviously during the times when equality was never considered. I think that because this book is set out in poem-like structures, it would easy to read, no matter your level. Also, because there are new sections every couple of pages, it would be great to read if you are quite a busy person. I genuinely loved this book!

Annie
Woking High Flyers

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander was historical fiction based on the Asante people from Africa. The main character, Kobi, loves literacy and swimming and his passion helps him throughout his ordeal of dealing with what life throws at him. I felt the character, Kofi, was real in my mind and I wanted to read more to find out if he survives and if he sees his family again. When people want retribution for an accident his brother is involved in his life is turned upside down. He uses what his grandmother and teacher have taught him to stay strong and have courage to survive. Each chapter starts with some information about what is coming next. The way the chapters are written help the story to flow and is quick and easy to read. And the information at the end of the book just helps you to learn a little bit more about another culture from a far away land.

Mrs Lucas
Marshland Readers

Sadly I couldn't keep up with The Door Of No Return. This just isn't my type of book, but I know some people that would like this book if they are interested in this genre. I found myself constantly wondering what was going on. However, I really liked how the book is written in verses like a poem which makes it less of a heavier read. I would rate this book a 5/10

Jennifer
Rebel Readers

I really like the book because it has such a different style of writing and the way that on the pages there is a poem like set up, it makes it seem like an amazing thing in such an amazing and unique style. You really should read this it is very interesting.

Abi
More Readers

I quite liked it. It was a bit hard to get into at first and I was confused at why it was layed out in a poem sort of way. I didn't think I would get into it but after a few chapters I did. I would reccomend it to 10+ because it has a bit of slavery and strong feelings.

Lilly
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

I really enjoyed The Door of No Return as the style was very nice to read. I found the story seemed to go a bit too fast at the end but it was described in a good amount of detail. All in all it was a great read and I felt like I was watching it.

Holly
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

it was a nice book but i think it was a bit confusing as it was written in poems and i didn't think there was much of a storyline.

lottie
Brighton Shadows

A moving tale about a young boy about to become a man. My favourite character was Ama because she stood up for what was right and was a wonderful and helpful friend. My favourite bit was at the end when he and his cousin made a clean slate and helped eachother. I would recommend this book because at times it is rather funny, but most of the times it teaches important morals.

Yihui
Coop Academy Manchester Book Club

Kofi Offin's life is about to change forever due to one small thing… I found the choices of names confusing since most of them had a similar ending or beginning. I liked that it was historical fiction and that the author made the start flow nicely and calmly but then tension made it full of turbulence. I was fascinated by the ending; it was a real cliffhanger. If I could rate it out of 5 stars, I would give it 3.5 because of the confusing names.

Sophia
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I liked the book but i would not say it was one of my favourites. I thought that the beginning of the book was a bit drawn out but the second half really opened my eyes to the horrors of what happened in Africa at that time. I really liked the way that it was written as it makes it almost easier to read and at points more powerful than if it was written like most novels. I didn't really understand the ending and even after reading it back many times, I still don't fully understand it. Overall I thought it was a very good and powerful book but it unfortunately wasn't my favourite.

Robin
Ermysted’s

This book was an interesting one to read. One reason being with the book feeling like it's two stories in one with the second half of it feeling so different from the first half. Another reason is this whole book is written in verse.

Fred
Bramcote College Bookclub

The Door of No Return is a book about eleven-year-old Kofi, who is a part of the Asante, which is an African tribe. I enjoyed this book quite a lot. In my opinion, Kwame Alexander paints vivid images through poetry excellently, as I was able to visualise the scenes. The plot was thought out well, and the characters felt real. I would have preferred if the ending was more complete, although I do appreciate that it was supposed to be a cliffhanger. The descriptions of violent scenes were quite detailed, so I would recommend it to older students.

Liana
Perse Carnegians

BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD! Would highly recommend - has beautiful writing and keeps making me want to read it again!!!

edith
KLB Books n Banter

Haunting. The change is so sudden. What would have happen with the swimming competition?

Sisi
Exeter School Shadowing

The Door of No Return, by Kwame Alexander, was an enjoyable book about Kofi Offin living in upper Kwanta. His brother gets into a tournament where Upper goes against Lower Kwanta. My favourite character was Ama as she was always kind to Kofi and believed in him. My favourite part was when we were waiting to hear about the consequences of the death in the tournament. I found The Door of No Return a hard book to read as the characters names were all similar. It is a marvelous book about family, revenge, and death. I would rate this book a 4/5 and for the ages 11 to 14.

Annabelle
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander: ‘The Door of No Return’ is a great book about British colonialism and slavery. The main character’s name is Kofi and he lives in Upper Kwanta in the Asante Kingdom in approximately the 1860s. Kofi is a school boy and his teachers insist on him speaking English instead of his first language Twi. At school, his bully, who also happens to be his cousin, likes the same girl as he does, Ama. This leads to a rivalry which culminates in Kofi challenging his cousin to a swimming competition. A series of tragedies occur which result in Kofi being captured and fuelling intense dreams. The author uses verse to describe the range of emotions experienced by Kofi including first love, hope, despair and the painful loss of a loved one. The reader longs for Kofi to survive.

Mila
SHSK Shadowers

This book was very good because at the beginning it is about an African community festival but ends up with young Kofi fighting for his life on a slave ship. I thought this book was really enjoyable. the main thing that I liked about this book is how easy it was to read and it was a great read. I rate this book 9/10

Ailise
Rebel Readers

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is about an eleven year old boy called Kofi Offin living on the banks of Upper Kwanta, in modern day Ghana. He belongs to the Asante community. Kofi, likes to swim and likes a girl called Ama. In the book, Kofi, challenges his cousin, also called Kofi, to a swim contest but that doesn’t happen due to Kofi’s kidnap by Lower Kwanta after his brother, Kwasi, kills the prince of Lower Kwanta in a wrestling contest. The book demonstrates the strong bond of family towards the end of the book and shows how important family is no matter how many arguments you have between yourselves. I did enjoy this book as it taught me a lot about the culture of Asante people and it made me feel as if I was with Kofi in the book. Even though this was a verse novel, it felt like a normal book and was easy to read. I also appreciated the fact that the author had shows us why the cover was the way it was. However I do have a suggestion. I think that Alexander should have explained Kofi’s kidnap a bit more as I felt it was quite abrupt. Overall, I will give this book 9/10 as the plot was good and the book well written.

Manas
MTS Northwood

'The Door Of No Return' has very subtle hints of sexual assault throughout the book showing the reality of what happens in the world. I thought this book was interesting since it talked about African tribes and their rituals/ ways of living. At times it was sad since most characters you created a connection with die but overall, it was a very good read.

Lucia
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

The Door of No Return is a very good, exciting, emotional book which takes you on a journey through the sad African past. I didn't like the style the book was written in as I haven't read many poetry books before so struggled to follow the plot well. However did like the plot and how Kofi went from being a normal child to having to fight for his life. I thought the characters were presented very well and that almost allowed me to step into their shoes and really feel everything that happened. I think that it was a very good book even though it was written in the poetry style.

Hal
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I just finished reading this book. I never really choose to read poetry and this book is written in a poetic style but I did enjoy that and I thought it made it flow well. Also, it makes you really think about the story and really take it in. It is about history that isn't mentioned a lot and it was really interesting to read about it in this way. I didn't quite get the ending but I think that is because of how sad and hopeless it gets. I did quite like this book and enjoyed reading it. Also very quick to read which I liked :)

Tim
St. George’s Dragon Readers

After reading this book what shone out to me was the immense knowledge of African culture and history, which is what makes books like this a joy to read. Kwame’s attention to detail is outstanding with native language and real historical events are even more impressive. The most notable feature was a series of riddles, morals and stories from elders which provide some food for thought in such a fast paced novel. All of this has been held up by a beautifully complex storyline and a wide range of emotions expressed by Kofi as he learns about coming of age. Being written in a sort of poem or stanza form gives the story a steady rhythmic feel. Wholly this makes an amazing book that has more to offer than a heartwarming story, it has an ending powerful enough to bring water to your eyes and a deeper meaning of love, friendship and belonging.

Toby
Going Places

I personally thought that the beggining was too slow and lacked a storyline. The book gradually got better after he tripped into the wire snare but overall i thought it was a poorly written story that lacked a plot.

Amelia
GreatB00ks

The Door of no return is a very emotional book that makes you feel like you are in the position of the character and can feel what he feels. I particularly didn't like the style of writing at the start of the book, as well as the story line, but I then realised the plot and how the writing broke it up into sections and I quite enjoyed it. I did feel like there were bits that I didn't get at first but it made sense at the end. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to people aged 12 to 16.

Hisham N
Ermysted’s

I enjoyed this book because it shows different aspects of life from people living in Africa. It also shows different traditions and events that take place in different areas of the world. I thought it was interesting to read about and it kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Finally I loved reading this book because it makes the readers feel empathy towards the characters who got taken and put on the boat and it shows how family members can mean a lot to someone even if you don't get along

imogen
OSSMAORATORS

the book the door of no return is a book I did enjoy a lot the book stands out with it different subjects which all link all though I found it hard to find a connect with the book at first when I got into it I deeply enjoyed it. the book was focused on a boy called Kofi with a dream but he cant get there due to a conflict between two villages which ends in his dreams being put on hold. the book does well with the different poems. though the book was deeply interesting it wasn't my type off book and in areas I felt it was a bit repetitive.

holly
OSSMAORATORS

The Door Of No Return is a fictional book based on real life in north-west Africa. I felt like the book was a bit unusual, as the layout of each page was like poetry but in the end I got used to it and ended up really enjoying it in general. The first half of the book is slow moving and with no major events, but I still enjoyed it as it is interesting. As I reached the second half, the story began to unfold and it was very good, if not violent at times. Overall, I would say this is an unusual story, but it works really well and the story/plot is excellent. I'd rate this a 9.5/10.

Sebby
Going Places

I think this book was very powerfully written and was amazing to read. The storyline was very emotive but more happened in the second half of the book than the first half. I like this book because it is historical fiction and it feels like you are actually travelling back in time when reading it.

Harriet
Weald of Kent Sevenoaks

I mainly enjoyed the book, however, I felt the plot and morals meandered a little too much and they were not all that clear. The cover didn’t really draw me in. However, overall, I did enjoy it and the only improvement would be to make the plot a little clearer.

Elsie
Eltham Hill Book Club

I rate this book 7/10 because it has a little suspense and it is also an adventurous book.

Vanessa
Eltham Hill Book Club

This book is quite unusual. The story is written in short chapters, almost taking the form of a poem. I think this is effective for more dramatic sections, but i found it difficult to read and get used to. I like how there is a glossary, a key for the adinkra symbols and a section telling you where the places are. In all honesty, I personally wasn't a massive fan of the book, but it is very moving and quite intense at bits. I also found you had to infer some bits, so it wasn't a very easy read.

Artemis
Carnegie Dragons

The Door of No Return Book Review The Door of No Return is an amazing book. It is based on a boy who lives in Africa. His name is Kofi Offin and he is eleven years old. The cover of this book caught my attention right away. Its vibrant red colour made me want to pick it up and get stuck in. The book has an interesting structure , like verses in a poem, which I thought was different and a change from books I have read previously. There aren’t that many words on each page and I liked this as it isn’t a heavy read. The story itself is a really interesting and enjoyable read. I did find it a little confusing that Kofi calls his Grandfather Nana which made me think the Granda was a female but it is interesting to see how other people can have different names for their grandparents compared to me. Kofi Offin feels like he is in his cousin’s shadow and it is interesting seeing how he copes. My favourite character in the book is Kofi’s friend Ebo. He is very funny and brave. The book was set in Ghana and it describes it as a beautiful place with its “copper sky” and “where the water is crystal clear". This has made me want to visit, as it sounds incredible. The book also made me feel more appreciative of the things I have, as life seems harder for Kofi than me. Kofi is a strong minded boy who never gives up and I admire him for this. I would definitely recommend this captivating book.

Ruairi
Rebel Readers

I think the storyline was good. It had good world-building, character development and was quite immersive. However, I don't particularly like how it is formatted, there are many lines that are just two or three words making it hard to keep up with. Multiple pages are completely in italics and were difficult to read and understand for me. Half way through it has a major tonal change, and becomes way more sad and fast-paced. Throughout the book, a lot of big moments happen but their effects aren't talked about enough in my opinion and some of the poems/pages felt unnecessary for the story but that's not too important.

Jessica
Eltham Hill Book Club

I finished this book very quickly, despite the fact that it is 400 pages long. This is because of the format of the book, there are around 15-20 words per page and it is written in poetry format. The chapters are very long and at the start of each chapter is an African folk tale (a short one to introduce the chapter/ foreshadow what is going to happen). In terms of the actual story line, I did really like it and it is quite emotional. However, I would definitely give this book an age rating of 13+ as it had detailed descriptions of people being killed and wrestling fights where people die/are injured. There are also some topics that aren’t actually mentioned but are hinted. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cultural books (this is set in Africa and is very traditional African in style), anyone who likes history books or black history books. All in all, it’s a very good book, I just found the poetry format quite annoying to read but it does makes it stand out from other books.

Beatrice
LSST Library Shadowers

I really loved this book. It is a very moving book, and each page takes you on a different journey The book is about a boy called Kofi who lives in the Ashanti region. There is a wrestling festival between two groups when something suddenly happens. At first, the book shows themes of friendship, school and home life, but then after something terrible happens, the story becomes more catching and starts showing themes of peace versus war, slavery and filial love. The book is written in novel verses, which makes it very easy to read, and the colloquial language allows you to connect with the character. Overall I loved it!

Haniya
Plashet School

The book is a beautiful verse novel with beautiful descriptions , an adventurous and emotional book but the ending was quite fast for me. Overall it is a very good book.

ganiyat
BLURB

‘Door of No Return’ is an immersive experience, educating us on 19th century African culture and the atrocities of slavery through an exploration deep into the heart of daily West African life. From joy and excitement to pain and desperation we see how quickly the slave trade stole not only people but the spirit of Africa. We meet our protagonist, Kofi Offin and instantly I feel connection to a loving boy who simply wants to make his parents proud and find true love. Rich in tradition, yet in constant changing environments, Kofi lives with his parents, two sisters and older brother in their village called Lower Kwanta which is full of trees, rivers, yams and most importantly, wrestling; as he grows we see him try and transition to a respected adult and the ultimate struggles that come. Like a young bird learning to fly, Kofi's life continues to grow every day, as he explores the difference from rivalry to friendship, he covers tales from the past and moments long forgotten. When his highly regarded cousin challenges him to a swimming contest he needs all the support he can get from his best friends Ebo and Ama but what will he do when there's no one left to love? My favourite character is Ama because of how calm and composed she always is yet still full of mischief and undeniable knowledge. I liked this book because of the atmosphere of beauty, elegance, grace which can easily flow into betrayal, hatred and doom. It was both a nightmare and joy to read. Unfortunately I don’t think the book cover fully represented the whole story as well as it could have though I do appreciate it not having any spoilers before you've even read it. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone however I agree with the 12+ rating due to themes of violence and tragic loss. I was thrilled to see some more African culture as its not a topic I've read much about. Kwame Alexander wrote this story beautifully and I look forward to reading many more books of his.

Amelia
The John Mason Shadowers

I really enjoyed this book because the poem style was really unique and it was fun trying something new. I love how the book represents the actual lives of these childeren in the 19th century. Towards the second half of the book, it became more and more heartbreaking with more and more losses. The way the author described the scenes in the poems made me think I was there and I was one of those people with Kofi Offin. The book really shows us how difficult life was for children in West Africa a long time ago and how it probably is still extremely hard. The last few pages confused me as I didn't quite know what was going on but the thought of them flying away to freedom is a joy. I would recommend this book to older readers.

Lianghan
SHSK Shadowers

The Door Of No Return was a beautiful, heart-breaking book about the capture of Africans in the 1600s. The unique writing style of the book made it easy to read as well as being a fascinating experience. The verse used made it feel as if you were inside the main character's mind and made the book even more emotional. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book as it is inspirational, historical and poignant.

Hidayah
KEVICHG

This fascinating book written by Kwame Alexander is an interesting journey of tears, elation, preternatural happenings and relief. The book reflects the hard, wrathful and vindictive nature of mankind in the present world. 11 year old Kofi Offin goes on a precarious journey starting from the enchanted eldritch, tales of the foredoomed river which Kofi loves to swim in. Then comes a tournament and in this tournament there was a murder which ripped his life of the rusty, archaic but ensconced hinges, ensconced concerning the many old and cursed tales in Upper Kwanta of the 19th century.

Aarnav
Bookwizards

this book was very good. Some of he poems were very good and i loved how the story was told and written. there was a good build up and the plot was very good. the feelings of kofi was very intertwined with the poems and i like how the beginning (where they're being taught at school) and the ending linked and that part of the storyline wasn't dropped. i didn't like how the little romance was dropped but i do like how the war between kofi and his cousin was resolved. i do think the end might have been rushed though as it was very open ended. overall i did like this book.

Isobel
Sidmouth Insiders

This book was really good, although I didn't like that it wasn't very obvious how old the main character was or what region they were in. In other circumstances this wouldn't be a big problem but for this book the situations at the start need the reader to understand what age group and maturity the character is. I really enjoyed all the wording and the structure of the book I think it gave it it's own atmosphere and it makes it really unique. I've never read anything like this before so it was an interesting journey which I enjoyed more than I expected. This book would not be great for kids under the age of about 10 because if you don't know enough about the history of that time period you're probably not going to understand.

Chloe
Bramcote College Bookclub

Overall, the book was good and had a very interesting topic. It was well writen and handled the heavy topics well. However, I think that the book was not concluded very well and it felt like they got away to easily.

Ben
Fortismere

The door of no return is a great book, considering the plot and character development. However, I personally did not really like the style of writing it is written in. As this is the first poetry book I have read, I struggled to connect with the characters. Also, I feel like the first part of the book was dragged out and it could easily have been shortened and have just as much of an affect on the reader. Even though the first half of the book was not my favourite, the second half of the book was a lot more eventful and moved a lot quicker, drawing me in easily. In my opinion, the cover of the book suited it perfectly, as quotes and scenes of the book have been included in pictorial form. Overall, I believe that the plot was interesting and it would have made a great book if not written in a poetry style.

Chloe
Burford School

The Door Of No Return is a lovely story of hope inspiration and resilience weaved into its pages, with beautifully written descriptions, lovely characters and astounding references to the reality while still staying a fictional world. An inspiring story of maturity, tragedy and slavery as the main character, Kofi finds his way through grief and hardship to be free, to be a man and finally return hope. What I really liked about the book was how descriptive and vivid the scenes were described, I felt like I was there experiencing everything. I also loved how the treacherous situations that faced the characters correlated to the real world, and the troubles that faced many generations of humanity. What confused me slightly was the format as it looked like a poem as it is not and the 'titles' where the starts of sentences. Overall I this book was great, perfect for readers looking for something more challenging to help their reading and for people looking for a good history based fiction.

Taira
Chiswick Carnegie

The Door Of No Return was a really enjoyable and unputdownable book. It evoked so much culture and emotion for the people of Asante. Even though this book is a fictional history, I felt like it was real as Kwame Alexander mixed events that are currently happening around the world with fictional moments and described them in so much detail. This story shows how your dreams can be the key to your future and that you should never give up on them and push through the hard times. It evokes emotion when the story shows that at the end of the day, you rely on friends and family to help you when you cannot help yourself. This book was so intriguing and exciting that I could not put it down! I would really recommend this book.

Grace
Chiswick Carnegie

I thought this was a very confusing book. It was hard to understand at first but then it got better. Until someone died and it was confusing again. Then the main characters brother died and his neck was snapped. Also, the main character for some reason turned into a bird. I didn't get it. But, it was still a good book. 7/10

Elliott.H
Ermysted’s

This is truly upsetting as this book makes you feel like you’re there watching all that happen. As you remember you were once free before you are shackled, to people speaking an alien language as you. Are confused to what’s going to happen and where you are, taken from everything you know, love, and once knew as home. I truly believe words cannot describe this book full of devastating events and how our protagonist has more challenges to face.

Mirabelle
STCCG Shadowing

I liked the way this novel was written in verse and how some of the titles linked in to that chapter of the book. I enjoyed the character's personality and I thought the story was very gripping. I also liked that this book covered a wide range of different topics such as the beginning of the slave trade. I would recommend this book to anyone 13 +

Isabella
Bookiewookiedoodaas

This emotionally gripping story is one of a kind. Kwame Alexander’s use of poetic structure and short sentences gives an accurate impression of west African culture in the 1860s. The story follows the life of eleven year old Kofi Offin coming of age, his friends and family, the struggles he goes through in school and with his cousin and the tales of the Offin River. With captivating plot twists and turn of events, this book has been both a joy and hard to read with the loss of a close friends and the strong descriptions of slavery conditions. I hope those of you who read this enjoy it as much as I have!

Zach
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

‘The Door of No Return’, written by the author Kwame Alexander, is a story set in 1860 in Asante, now known as southern Ghana. The protagonist is Kofi Offin, a young boy named after the day of the week he was born on, who is passionate about swimming, especially in the river of his hometown. We are also introduced early on to his friends Ebo and Ama and his cousin, who is depicted as his arch nemesis and is portrayed as arrogant and selfish. Kofi’s life is happy and peaceful until he gets snatched and taken to The Door of No Return….. The layout of the book is peculiar as there is a short heading on most pages to give the reader an idea of the context. Some of these are also an introduction to a new sentence. Another interesting feature of the way this book is written is how the sentences are written down the page rather than across. The way Alexander can describe multiple events and occurrences in a small amount of writing is enticing to the reader because there is no place they want to stop. However, some of these events could be covered slower so the reader doesn’t experience drastic changes in a matter of a few sentences. Overall, I would say that the story is very attention-grabbing with a very interesting plot and fascinating characters. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 9 because it has a very compelling storyline about the slave trade that I believe a wide range of people would like. However, there are a few moments which are a little daunting and may be best to avoid for under 9s. Percentage Rating: 84%

Alex
Bookwizards

Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander invites readers on an immersive journey through history with Koffi Offin as our guide. Born into the rich tapestry of the past, Koffi's story shows the struggles and triumphs of people. Koffi's resilience shines through, illuminating the depths of the human spirit. Alexander's poetry paints a vivid portrait of Koffi's quest for freedom, weaving together themes of identity, loss, and hope. Door of No Return is a captivating tale that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.

kieran
Fiction Addiction

I really enjoyed this book as it had a few plot twists that I wouldn't have expected and pulled on my heart strings as the main character tried to navigate his way through the unknown and tried to get over his grief. Overall I really enjoyed this book however I didn't like the way it was formatted and would have appreciated it if it filled the lines completely.

Jasmine
Bramcote College Bookclub

I really liked this book, because lots of different changes happened in the story and there were a few plot twists. The only thing that isn't good about the book is that it starts to get interesting when you're almost halfway through the book. I liked that Kofi (main character) is portrayed to be similar to our age, and that he's as competitive like us.

Timea
Bramcote College Bookclub

This book is not my usual genre, but I still enjoyed it. It was very easy to read and I got through it quite quickly. The poetry is amazing and tells a brilliant story through out. Kofi is a very likable character and I find myself rooting for him through his hardships. I found this book very upsetting and felt so much sympathy towards Kofi.

Gracie
Bramcote College Bookclub

It was a great book that while presenting us with an interesting story, also shows us some insight to history itself. I would recommend this book to year 8's because around this time we learn about slavery and this could be an interesting thing to read so that we can see what it was like then.

Harry
Bramcote College Bookclub

The door of no return is an exciting novel that is written in verse format. The author, Kwame Alexander does not rest with the reality of the brutalities that occur in the book. The novel follows the journey of a young boy named Kofi Offin and his life. Kofi is preoccupied with school and his teacher insists he speaks english instead of Twi, their native language. He likes this girl called Ama but so does his bully cousin and to settle the rivalry, they have a swimming competition. Kofi trains hard to win but sudden death causes havoc between the two kingdoms. it is a really thrilling read. I would totally recommend it. Being written in verse format, you get a real sense of the hardship that Kofi goes through in this harrowing war. Slavery plays a large part in this book. I would rate this novel 9/10.

Joe
Bookwizards

I really liked the book and it handled heavy topics with respect and really made me think, I think the ending was really good and I really loved it

Thomas
Horsham BOok HUNTers

Very good book. Can be hard to follow at some points. I found it very interesting

Lucie
Royal Readers

I found the book to be an immersive and educational exploration of the atrocities committed during the abhorrent institution of slavery.

TJ
Aldridge School Readers

I don't think I have enough words to describe the delicacy and beauty that this book holds. Each word is carefully woven into place, it was LITERLLY impossible to put this book down. The book is about a small boy from Ghana who faces a tough challenge to fight for what he wants. There are so many things that I simply just fell in love within this book. There are so many things that I simply just fell in love with in this book.

Eniola
STCCG Shadowing

The Door of No Return is a verse novel of simplicity; raw yet poetically-robust imagery and a rhythmic pace that will ultimately leave you insatiable for more. It brims with enlightening knowledge on Asante culture, cuisine and inter-generational traditions and retains a sensory, lyrical literary style throughout. Kofi Offin, the lead role of the story, narrates his personal experiences as an adolescent, initially facing romance, high-discipline education, and a cousin rivalry. Although, this gradually morphs into a tale of barbarism, bloodshed, unjust abductions with intent of exploitation and a breach of basic individual rights. This plot was harrowing at times, due to it having ties to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, however, it was equally optimistic, with hope being conveyed through the usage of reveries and character dreams. I was greatly fond of the presentation/format of words on the page since, from my perspective, it reinforced that sense of the unknown, with blank space on either side emphasising at the freedom in deciding your personal fate, writing a story in your authentic voice. The final few chapters of the novel seemed a little inconclusive, leaving grey regions in the plot and questions unanswered.

Lily-Rose
Fortismere

The Door of No Return is a book about West Africa in the 19th century. There are two parts to this book, one of which is about a boy living his life, and the second half is about the abduction of people. Personally, I didn’t like ‘The Door of No Return’ because I found it hard to follow and keep track of what was happening. Even though the book is based on things that have happened, it felt as if the characters were off, and you could just guess what was going to happen next. I also didn’t like how it ended because I felt like he could have written more and I wanted to know what happened next, so it left it on a bit of a cliffhanger. One of the things I liked about the book was the format in which it was written. I found it made it appear like a story pasted down by generations or even a song as they often did to pass on stories. I would recommend this book to anyone aged 11 or older because of some of the gore but I think the way that it is written makes it an easier read for younger people because it is almost like poetry. Overall, I would rate this book a 3/5, as I am conflicted about whether I liked it or not.

Tilly
The Fitzharrys Shadows

i found this book alright. I would rate it 7/10.this book is about a boy called Kofi that is about to enter manhood but gets kidnapped but thinks that its part of his trial to enter manhood. he then sees his brother Kwasi dies and is in sorrow. He is then traded to the people they call wonderfuls then he gets thrown into a "dungeon" where he meets this girl that helps him overcome his problems. After a while they get boarded onto a ship where the girl revolts then kills herself. Soon after the ship crashes and Kofi realises that swimming in the ocean is nothing like swimming in the river. he also finds out that his cousin that he dislikes was below the ship the whole time.

Rajanp
Ermysted’s

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander is a gripping novel that tells the story of 11 year old Kofi Offin who lives in Upper Kwanta, West Africa. As the story moves on, we learn about his beloved family, encouraging friends, a beautiful girl named Ama and his horrible cousin, the school bully. However, as a tragic death occurs during a contest between rival villages, Kofi's life is turned upside-down as he runs from never-ending threats and tries desperately to regain his freedom. The novel ends in a spellbinding scene as he escapes his captivators by soaring through the air, his cousin by his side. Finally they are free! I thought that this was an amazing book because it taught me about African culture while keeping me riveted to the plot. I also thought that it was interesting to see how Kofi dealt with the problems he faced and how he grew up and learnt new lessons, which added to the plot and made you want to know how it ends. However, I think Alexander could have described in more detail the "men with no-colour" so that we knew more in depth about what Kofi thought about them. In conclusion, I think that this was a captivating novel that managed to have everything a successful novel needs : action, love, suspense e.t.c while managing to convey a heartfelt story, that readers will remember. I really enjoyed this book!

Léonie
Euro Bookworms

‘The door of no return’, written by Kwame Alexander, is about a boy and his family in Ghana, Africa. It shows us what their lives are like and the wars between tribes they had with each other in the 1900s. It also shows the first steps of the slave trade. Throughout the book we see the types of events they would celebrate and how they celebrated them. Moreover, you can see how dangerous it could be if you were either in the wrong place or if you accidentally did something a tribe didn’t like. I would give this book a ⅘ star rating because I got extremely interested in it near the end and you could tell that a lot of research was put into creating the book. I also learnt a lot about African culture and how much people went through before even being shipped to America. However, I didn’t like the poem layout because I couldn’t understand the type of poem and why the author moved on to the next line. Also I would have liked a quick explanation of the foreign words after they were written instead of only having a dictionary at the end because I hadn’t realised it was there until I had finished the book.

Clara
Euro Bookworms

it is the best book I have read so far. It takes an interesting turn on how it layers it's chapters. It seems to be that it has lots of tiny chapters in one big chapter and captivates on African culture and has a glossary behind it. Overall I do not see many flaws the story is great, the dialogue is great and does a good job with characters. Overall it is great for people who are reading long books.

Mikail
FPHS Reading Crew

I found this book a little confusing; it was as if the poems were all over the place and didn't make a lot of sense. Some parts of the book were a little gory, so I feel like the book should be rated 12+. I'm a bit conflicted about whether I liked the book or not, overall the plot was interesting but confusing. The style of the writing made it even more confusing! But I guess if that's what you enjoy reading, then its a good book.

Jasmin
Kingdown 24

I really struggled to keep reading this book. Seems like a 'worthy' theme, but I had to drag myself through the story as the plot and characters didn't 'grab' me.

Ms M
TDA readers

I really enjoyed this book. It was really powerful and I really felt frustrated for Kofi as he struggles to bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood and he struggles to find his place in the world.

Mrs C
Ossie’s bookworms

The Door of No Return is a fantastically written book with a thrilling cliffhanger at the end. In the book the author writes about a boy called Kofi who is part of an African tribe called the Asante. The Asante tribe’s traditions include having a festival every year with a neighbouring tribe where they have a wrestling competition. It is a moving story as it depicts what happens to African tribes and traditions when the ‘Wonderful’ come with new things, languages and weapons. In the book there is a teacher at the school who tries to force the children to speak this foreign language even if they want to continue their traditions. This book has a powerful message which is that certain people will think they are higher than everyone else and can just squish other people's lifestyles. I enjoyed how this book was set up in verse and even though it was set up like this it was still like a story. I also enjoyed how during the book they used the Asante language, Twi. To also help at the end there is a glossary full of the meanings for Twi words. I would recommend this book to people who like reading books in verse and who like reading books about other cultures and traditions. As a whole I would give this book a 8.5/10.

Eloise
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I loved 'The Door Of No Return'. I enjoyed the verse style and think it worked really well. My only critique is how abrupt the book ended, I would love a second novel or some kind of continuation. It’s a great book but it’s not suited to younger readers because of the violent and descriptive language. In all I give this book an 8/10 because of how emotionally attached I was to the characters by the end.

Alice
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

The door of no return was a very interesting and eventful book. The Asante Culture really intrigued me as it showed the foods that they ate and the fights they had between the Upper and Lower Kwanta. It was really saddening when Kofi's older brother killed a member of the other Kwanta side and Kofi was ultimately abducted and tortured for something that his brother made a mistake with. Overall, I enjoyed this book as it was an interesting book to read. I’d rate this book 4 stars.

Amira
STCCG Shadowing

I like how the book starts with the race between the two Kofi’s but near the end they are trying to escape their captors and avoid becoming slaves.

Heath
Aldridge School Readers

I enjoyed the book and how it was written as a poem. But I didn’t understand some of the language and I liked some of the characters especially Koti.

Anaya
Fiction Addiction

I am not a fan of poems but I thought that this was a pleasurable read. However I was puzzled by the ending. Altogether a fairly good read.

Caitlin
St Kaths

It's not my type of book, and i couldn't really fully make sense of it, but i know a lot of people most likely like this.

Steph
Aldridge School Readers

i quite like this book. It talks about mature topics that people could need help with. The only confusing part is the moving text.

hasan i
Ermysted’s

This book was transformative because I’ve not read anything like it. The poems kept the flow of the story and I liked the change of having a poetry style rather than typical prose. The characters were vivid and relatable and I loved the originality of the plot. Overall I loved the intensity of the highs and lows- even in the darkest situations there was hope and friendship. I felt the characters really grew throughout the book. I was left slightly unsatisfied with the cliffhanger ending, however.

Rosanna
KEVICHG

A good book, although I wouldn’t recommend it for the faint hearted, since it involves lots of blood and death. It’s not a regularly written book, and is styled more like poetry that doesn’t rhyme. The book overall had a long setting the scene at the start, but once it got to chapter 3, it became quite interesting. Most of the chapters are quite long, but it’s split into subheadings throughout. I’d recommend this for people who are interested in historical fiction.

Isabelle
CTA Book Club

It's a very engaging and exciting book, I liked the way it introduced me to the way people live in Africa. It's also a very historical book, it's inspired by what happened to people in Africa in 1860, I learnt a lot about slavery, how they captured people and what the conditions were like on the journeys. The language is simple, yet it has a lot of meaning, it helped me to empathise with how the main character was feeling and stirred up emotions of injustice, sadness and hopefulness in me as the reader. The story is told from the perspective of an eleven year old boy called Kofi, the characters are extremely interesting and intriguing, even though some of them are rather detestable. I really enjoyed this book and I liked the way historical fiction gave me a broader understanding of past issues, like slavery, with a great story to go along with it. I would definitely reread this book and I think it would be a very good choice for the Carnegie Medal.

Rosellen
Rebel Readers

In 'The Door of No Return,' author Kwame Alexander transports the reader to 19th century Africa with a bittersweet story of family, identity, and the impact of the slave trade. The tale follows the journey of Kofi and his close-knit community, and the intense family dynamic in the Asante Kingdom. As the plot unfolds, Kofi's world is shattered when he is kidnapped and forced onto a slave ship. Alexander explores themes of resilience, family, expectations, and the inhumanity of slavery through realistic characters, and vivid, imaginative metaphors and symbolisms. My favourite part about the book was how immersive and realistic it was; Kwame provided a realistic and informed description about Africa and the tribes and people in it, without get sucked into common stereotypes. The Door of No Return is a great novel that tastefully deals with a dark chapter in history.

Archit
MTS Northwood

I enjoyed this book and I liked the pace of the first section. However I felt the pace slowed down in the second part as there are less conversations which helped push the pace in the first half. When reading the book I was shocked by the sudden change in feel and tone that I didn't expect when reading. Towards the end it started becoming more sad and depressing. Overall, it is a well written book that hits hard at parts

Benjamin R.
Ermysted’s

lovely beginning but after the first bit the plot was too hard to follow, the cnstant font switching made reading hard it had no moral or subplots and was totally and utterly not a good book 3/10

Katherine
John Masefield

The Door of No Return is a novel set in Western Africa, Ghana in the Asante Kingdom. and highlights the traditions ,language and their way of life. The main focus of this book is an 11 year-old boy - Kofi. This book is directed predominantly towards teenagers and upwards in my opinion. The plot is focused on the rivalry between two villages in the Asante - Upper and Lower Kwanta. The "King's Festival" takes place annually, and is where the best men and women from each village fight. Kofi's elder brother, Kwasi, is matched with the Prince of Lower and accidentally kills him. This sparks anger between the two villages. When Kofi and Kwasi are captured by Lower, Kwasi is murdered in vengeance. Kofi however, along with many others, are brought to a castle, in which a dungeon is filled with people, who have experienced the same thing. They are traded for riches, and are eventually directed onto a ship, bound for America. They had been captured for slavery. The novel ends with a storm, in which the slave ship is destroyed and people held captive are released into the ocean. The Door of No Return, has been written in an unusual style. It has been written in verses, however does not read as a poem but as a story. In spite of the novel being around 400 pages, this style of writing makes it a quick read. This is a brilliant coming-of-age story and although fictional, reflects the horrors of those who were captured in the Trans- Atlantic slave trade. We also experience one of the native languages of Ghana (of the Asante Kingdom), Twi, for which a glossary in the back is provided. This is most certainly a page-turner, despite it not being particularly fast paced, still keeps my interest through-out. A great read which I would recommend to others.

Sam F
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I struggled to follow the story and found the first third of the book incomprehensible as there was no introduction to the characters or the scene. I feel the book could have been much better and comprehensible if it included small chapters where the scene was set in the normal layout of a book, though nearing the end there was a small amount of comprehensibility where I partly understood the final output.

edward
SHS On The Same Page

This book is very much a slow-burn and may bore some people but I found it extremely moving and very poetic. I have to admit I have not read many books about West African culture so this novel was something fresh, new and compelling to me. Although the flow of the book sometimes falters I was intrigued from the start and was not disappointed by the time I finished it. It is depressing as hell sometimes but there is humour and light to be found as well. Those willing to be patient with a book will find this extraordinary.

Noah
Fiction Addiction

I found this book sad but enjoyable and realistic at the same time. There is a lot of realistic aspects to this like near the end, he got sold to the British, who in the 19th century were attempting to colonise Africa. It is also quite sad because Kofi is just the cousin who is overshadowed by his cousin. But the saddest part was definitely when his friend on the ship was taken away, which left me very sad. It leaves on a cliff-hanger which makes me want to see a sequel book.

William B
Ermysted’s

The book The Door of No Return is simply amazing. The plot is a great slow burn but it also puts you on edge as it gives hints with what's going to happen next. I love how the book shows the big character development of Kofe as he challenges his cousin to a swimming race . I think this is a great coming of age book which shows things in more reality. I really connected with this book as my ethnicity is Ghanaian and it makes me feel like I'm back home. I think this book was great up until the very end.

Isabel
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The book The Door of No Return is simply amazing. The way they show different people's personalities from a country that not many people may have visited before is great. I've connected to this book because I am from Ghana myself and reading this book made me feel like I was back there. I think the book is thrilling to the end and it's also a good coming of age book that shows people what reality can really be like, and that not all books necessarily have a fantasy happy ending.

Isabel
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The Door of No Return, Really helped me learn, The importance of the Offin, From birth to coffin. When snatched from home, A boy must go alone, Away from his family, And ama who he finds lovely. A thought provoking read, With many different leads, A definite favourite, Once you get it. I finished it in one sitting, Yes it was that riveting! 10/10

Isla
The Fitzharrys Shadows

Mixed feelings about this book: some of the themes were very dark but I felt that being told through verse made it more accessible for younger readers. The contrast of the first part of the story to the second was stark. Kwame Alexander portrayed Kofi as a happy-go-lucky young boy at the beginning of the story, who had hopes and dreams for his future. This made the second part of the story even more heart breaking and the scene has been set for the next part of Kofi's and his cousin's journey. We can only guess at the horrors that will lie ahead if they manage to survive but I think I will want to read on to find out more in Book 2.

Frederic
Brooke Weston Book Busters

I enjoyed the storyline of 'The Door Of No Return'. Kofi's point of view was interesting and relatable, but I didn't particularly like the fact that it was a verse novel; making it slightly harder to understand, and the way that the speech was written was confusing, making it harder to follow. Besides this, I liked 'The Door Of No Return', and would rate it a 6/10.

Lilly
Brooke Weston Book Busters

During the time I have been trying to read this book I have found the free verse style to be not very captivating with its unusual way to display pages and paragraphs. The content of this novel was good but it can get a little repetitive with the jokes. I would recommend it if you like historically accurate novels. This book is a great way to highlight the Slave Trade but not very fun to read. All of this is my personal opinion, so please don't let it put you off reading it if you like historical fiction.

Matthew
Brooke Weston Book Busters

I think This book was quite good it describes what life was like on the gold coast of africa while the slave trade was going on. I think the ending was very interesting though, and did not expect them to just fly away.

IsaacJ
Ermysted’s

The Door of No Return was a depressing read, although realistic. The struggles Kofi Offin faces are terrible; like his brother being tortured and killed, and the friends he made after capture dying. Towards the end of the book, it became really sad and devastating. I feel the book would have worked better as a regular story, without poems as I often felt I was reading it without the breaks and couldn't find the rhythm a poem needs. It also got a little confusing when the poem titles were part of the actual poem, and it didn't make full sense if you didn't read it as the start of the sentence. Overall, it captures the life of Kofi Offin well, starting off light, and then moving onto deeper things, and I enjoyed it thoroughly

Aashaz
Ermysted’s

I thought the door of no return was a fascinating book, however It didn't get me all the way, as at the start it took me longer that what it did for the other books and I hate cliffhangers! Also the plot got off track at times, but overall I thought it was a well written book, with a powerful message behind it. The character ideas were brilliant and I loved most of them, for example, Kofi, a charming and relatable character.

Oliver S
Ermysted’s

The story of Kofi Offin takes us on a journey back in time, describing the slave trade and the lack of freedom for many of colour. This book was a very interesting read and I'm conflicted on whether I liked it or not. I feel like the prose style of writing just made the already confusing story, even more confusing! To me, it seemed like an excuse to write in shorter lines as the sections that were in paragraphs at the start of chapters to me made more sense than the rest of the book. However, this book was hard to put down as there were many cliffhangers and lots of action within the story. Additionally, I was disappointed with the ending of the story as I don't think leaving it for the reader to imagine what happens next was a good idea as I would have liked to know whether he survived or not. This disappointing ending made me quite annoyed as although the rest of the book wasn't amazing it was quite gripping but it didn't come to any conclusion. However the vivid descriptions and mild gore were very gripping and made the book more interesting. I think it had a strong idea, but it was quite confusing to read and could have been made clearer without the prose style. Overall, I would rate this book a 5/10 and I think it is suitable for 11+ due to some of the gore in the book.

Lola
PGHS Shadowers

I found that the poem-like style helped with keeping the flow of the story throughout the book. This made the many plot twists add to the story rather than take the reader away from it. Overall, I found this book an enjoyable read, and I especially liked the tribal traditions that added context and backstory to a book that moved quickly.

Stanley D
Ermysted’s

I rate this book 8/10 and is easy reading. I thought Nanamosi Says poem was inspiring. Overall, the poems at the start of the book were Happy and upbeat, the poems towards the end made me feel gloomy and uninspired.

Connor R
Ermysted’s

Mixed feelings about this book: some of the themes were very dark but felt that being told through verse made it more accessible for younger readers. The contrast of the first part of the story to the second was stark. Kwame Alexander portrayed Kofi as a happy-go-lucky young boy at the beginning of the story, who had hopes and dreams for his future. This made the second part of the story even more heart breaking and the scene has been set for the next part of Kofi's and his cousin's journey. We can only guess at the horrors that will lie ahead if they manage to survive but I think I will want to read on to find out more in Book 2.

Mrs C
PGHS Shadowers

Kwame Alexander, Weaves words like, Threads of gold in his novel, The Door of No Return, Following high-spirited Kofi, Who only dreams of swimming, Ama, And family, Until tragedy unfolds, Interjecting fear among the family, That Kofi holds so close, To his trembling heart, But this child must walk on, Through the hardship, And the distrust, Though the fight, Is never an easy one, He is carried by his people, By his friends, His family, He knows he can step through, Through the formidable, Through the Door of No Return. I'd recommend this book to anyone over eleven years old. It's a masterpiece containing some stunning descriptions and so much underlying empathy. It dwells on how times both have and haven't changed, showing topics like colonialization from an interesting and insightful perspective. I'd definitely describe this book as a must read.

Bethan
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I really liked this book by Kwame Alexander and particularly liked his use of emotive language . While reading this book I noticed there were quite a lot of cliffhangers, which I enjoyed as it made me want to read more of the story every time I finished a chapter.However there were a couple features I was not fond of such as the sudden death or Kofi suddenly being captured. Overall this is fantastic book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about historical fiction or adventure .

Mia
The Bentley Woodlanders

I thought "The Door Of No Return", which is written in verse, was a really powerful book. The setting was really nice and it was eye-opening to view the story in the first person. The only criticism I have is that I thought the book ended too suddenly, so I would have liked there to be a epilogue.

Laurie
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

I found this book rather strange as it was a book about Kofi Offin and a normal sort of life - but then his brother accidentally kills a prince. Then Kofi Offin is practising his swimming for a competition and then all of a sudden is being held prisoner. This was confusing as it doesn't give a reason for him being captured. Then he sees his brother's life being taken by the order of the king of the country whose prince was killed. Do they not understand that his mother would feel the same way they did when their son/the prince was killed? Then Kofi is walking, I do not find any reason for that until later in the book - which was confusing at the time - and then escaped but is pretty much immediately captured again. He continues walking (and you still have no idea why) until they are handed over to another authority. he is then taken to a dungeon and then a boat. The boat starts sinking about 20 days later. He sees his cousin in the water and then it is the end of the book - What happens to Kofi Offin? What happens to his cousin? Do their families know what's happened to them? I feel that there are not very many answers in this book where I would like answers and it feels like the book ends half way through. I just find this confusing and wrong; there is what I feel, half a book of unnecessary normal life and then not enough of his later ordeal at the end of the book. A good book will leave you with questions but I feel there are too many in this instance.

Edward M
Ermysted’s

This was a slightly confusing book, and although it was quite confusing, it included lots of West African culture. The fact that it was presented as a verse novel was also quite nice. The ending was a bit annoying, because Kwame Alexander managed somehow to draw the book to a close whilst leaving the ending somewhat unfinished. I felt that there was a lot of unnecessary things in it, but it was overall an interesting book.

Huxley
Fortismere

This book did take I while to get used to the way it was written and how to know when others were speaking but once you have got use to all of that it is a very good book. Once you get locked into the book it moves quite quickly and it has a very noticeable moral. One thing which I didn't like is that it felt very sudden at the end with alot of death and it didnt really make much sense at the end. 7/10 :D

Eleanor
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

Incredibly powerful book, in both parts enchanting and effective. I've never come across a prose-written book before but this was gorgeous, and Kofi has an almost charming and relatable aura about him and his passion for his world. I hate cliffhangers and the plot could get slightly convoluted at times (for example the build-up to the wrestling tourney) but is, once again, an incredibly good book with a very unique cultural setting.

Lara
PGHS Shadowers

I really loved "The Door of No Return". The fact that it was written in verse conveyed emotions very well and emphasised important words or phrases. This unique style gives a very special rhythm to the story, almost like breathing with the characters. As I was reading, I just could not stop. I even cried at some points!

Arthur
EJM Carnegie Crew

I thought this book was very unique because of the way it tells the story. The story touches a very sensitive topic but still tells the story of Kofi Offin and teaches us about culture as well. It shows that so many people have dreams and aspirations which could be taken away from them because of their culture or race. I give this book a ten out of ten because I think it tells an amazing story through poems.

Phoebe
Herts and Essex

The Door of No Return, by Kwame Alexander, is a heartbreaking yet beautiful verse novel. It is about a boy, Kofi, who lives in the Asante Kingdom in Africa. He has a nice life, until everything starts to go wrong. I love how Alexander made the verse so intriguing, and how he explored the characters’ emotions, thoughts and feelings so well. I also like how Alexander fuses history, fiction and poetry together, perfectly. Overall, it is a great book, it is very interesting, and I absolutely loved it. I am sure you will too!

Zachary
MTS Northwood

The Door of No Return was a very hard-hitting book, easily taking my top spot so far. One of the various reasons it impressed me, was the way the emotion was conveyed as it really got me thinking about what I would do in that situation. Another reason would be the poem-like structure throughout the book, which further developed its already strong base. In addition to this, the book teaches the kind of black history that you generally don't learn in schools and the use of Adinkra symbols was probably one of the cleverest implements I have ever seen as they are kept hidden until the end when you can re-read the book and will understand it more with the added foresights. The ending of this book matched perfectly with the lead up as it was clearly going to be an open ending but I did not expect it to be at that time and it made so much sense after I had read it. Though the complexity woven into the verses may be too much for some, I found it was just right for me. One thing I did not approve of in this book was the main character as his viewpoints did not match to mine so I became confused at some of the decisions made. Though Kofi was not my favourite, Nana Mosi (the subtle and clever grandfather) was an important character in the story, being seen as the wise mentor for Kofi and he fit the role perfectly. Overall, I find that this novel is well written and well kept to in its poem form whilst also maintaining a heavy plot. Score: Characters:17/20 Plot:17/20 Inspiration:19/20 Total:53/60

Sevan
Ermysted’s

I liked this book, as the characters were very realistic, and it seemed to explain some the issues that were around in that time in Africa. However, I did not like the fact that it was written in poetry, so I would rate this book 6/10.

Dylan
TBGS Readers

I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half about Kofi, Ebo, Kwasi, Ama and Kofi (cousin), It helped me learn about a new culture of Upper Kwanta, the second half was also very good, but very sad and a bit confusing, with the thoughts being more meaningful at the end of the book. The book was written in poetry form but I felt it'd have worked nearly as well as a normal story. Overall, it was a good book which you can't put down until you've read it all.

Aidan M
Ermysted’s

The structure of the pages was certainly interesting and definitely kept me on my toes. Once I had grasped how the author punctuated the story, I could follow along with the plot quite easily. I really enjoyed the story itself! My favourite character was Nana Mosi who played Oware and storytelling which Kofi used for Owu and Afua for distraction, comfort and friendship. The book shows how colonization affected some parts of Africa and some of the negative/positive attitudes towards it. It also demonstrates the harsh treatment of the Africans in the Slave Trade Triangle - but as Kwame Alexander mentions in the acknowledgements: "African-Americans, because while most of us are aware of the American part, its time to know more about the African part".

Phoebe
Ousedale Shadow Chasers

I recognised the author's name here instantly as one I've seen before and somehow connected to the Carnegie awards. A quick bit of research I discovered where from. He was nominated a few years ago. This is a story of a simple tribal life in historic Africa as young Kofi begins to find his way. A story full of family, traditions and friendships. We find ourselves warming to his naivety, his desire to match his brother and his rivalry with those around him in his local community. When tragedy strikes (and it does in a HUGE way!) the tone changes immediately to something far more sinister and serious. We realise that all that description of life early on in the story is just an example by which to measure his loss in the latter part of the story. The tragedy that befalls poor Kofi is terrible to witness and very well expressed. HOWEVER and it is a huge however, I really do not like this poetic verse style. I first came across it many years ago in this competition when it almost ruined 'The Weight of Water' by Sarah Crossan. I think I would have preferred this story told in a more 'traditional' way. I know it creates a rhythm reflecting the story blahdy blah etc and it does turn it into a quick read but I do find it difficult to adapt to.

Mr Hyde
Marshland Readers

I recognised the author's name here instantly as one I've seen before and somehow connected to the Carnegie Awards. A quick bit of research discovered where from. He was nominated a few years ago. This is a story of a simple tribal life in historic Africa as young Kofi begins to find his way. A story full of family, traditions and friendships. We find ourselves warming to his naivety, his desire to match his brother and his rivalry with those around him in his local community. When tragedy strikes (and it does in a HUGE way!) the tone changes immediately to something far more sinister and serious. We realise that all that description of life early on in the story is just an example by which to measure his loss in the latter part of the story. The tragedy that befalls poor Kofi is terrible to witness and very well expressed. HOWEVER and it is a huge however, I really do not like this poetic verse style. I first came across it many years ago in this competition when it almost ruined 'The Weight of Water' by Sarah Crossan. I think I would have preferred this story told in a more 'traditional' way. I know it creates a rhythm reflecting the story blahdy blah etc and it does turn it into a quick read but I do find it difficult to adapt to.

Mr Hyde
Marshland Readers

I really liked this book because its very engaging; when you start reading you just can't stop.

warda
Eltham Hill Book Club

nevermind this book makes me want to cry myself to sleep as i dream horrible nightmares about doors you can’t get through and women eating coconut for some reason? i shall be returning this book, and although i was promised gore, i was not greeted with gore in the 10 pages i have laid my suffering eyes upon.. but overall the cover looks pretty decent kudos to the artist for that i suppose. (pls don’t cancel me for this review it’s my honest opinion)

Jasper
Sir Harry’s Shadowers

I liked the format of the book. The vivid style of writing made it enthralling- I struggled to put it down! My one complaint is that I disliked the ending of the novel because no conclusions were drawn so it was not very satisfying.

Verity
Norwich High School Bookworms

The Door Of No Return is a wonderful book written by Kwame Alexander. It not only displays his love for a different culture but it also displays his amazing writing skills and his ability to hook readers in using a verse novel format. The novel is a brilliant coming of age story and sheds light on the terror and horrific events of the North Atlantic Slave Trade through the eyes of the slightly naïve 11-year-old, Kofi Offin. It contains sections about family love, childish crushes, family feud and some historical events about black people. It has everything for everyone and is a nice way to show the world the true story of black culture and history.

Michelle
Brooke Weston Book Busters

The Door of No Return was a very hard-hitting book, easily taking my top spot so far. One of the various reasons it impressed me, was the way the emotion was conveyed as it really got me thinking about what I would do in that situation. Another reason would be the poem-like structure throughout the book, which further developed its already strong base. In addition to this, the book teaches the kind of black history that you generally don't learn in schools and the use of Adinkra symbols was probably one of the cleverest implements I have ever seen as they are kept hidden until the end when you can re-read the book and will understand it more with the added foresights. The ending of this book matched perfectly with the lead up as it was clearly going to be an open ending but I did not expect it to be at that time and it made so much sense after I had read it. Though the complexity woven into the verses may be too much for some, I found it was just right for me. One thing I did not approve of in this book was the main character as his viewpoints did not match to mine so I became confused at some of the decisions made. Though Kofi was not my favourite, Nana Mosi (the subtle and clever grandfather) was an important character in the story, being seen as the wise mentor for Kofi and he fit the role perfectly. Overall, I find that this is a beautifully written book with a strong, unique style and a powerful impact. Score: Characters:16/20 Plot:18/20 Inspiration:19/20 Total:53/60

Sevan
Ermysted’s

It was a really interesting read and was amazingly written. Whilst i already loved verse books, this was exeptional. A lot of different emotions were explored and in all honesty I was sobbing throughout the second half but I would definitely read it again and reccomend it to others.

Emily
St Kaths

I think the book was very exciting, I particularly enjoyed the contrast from the first half of the book to the second and I thought the ending was perfect for the genre of the book. Only thing was the writing layout which threw me off a bit at the start but got used to it after a while. Overall I think the book portrayed the meaning very well and I would definitely recommend it to others. 8/10

harrison
Kingdown 24

The Door of No Returns The Door of No Returns is a book written by Kwame Alexander, the book has been nominated for the Yoto Carnegie award and I think it deserves this award. The book is written in simple, easy to understand language alongside being written in prose (poetry form). This makes it an easy quick read. The subject on the other hand contrasts this. The book covers topics such as young love, coming of age and the slave trade. This book is set in the year 1860. The main character of the story is Kofi, and the book is written from his perspective. The story starts off and loosely focuses on his love for a girl (Ama), but his cousin is also going after her. Later, the boy gets captured and tortured, first by people of a tribe/ kingdom other than his own and later on traded for tobacco and cloths by the white slave traders. Along the way Kofi loses his brother and makes new friends. One of the main themes of the book is storytelling and how it can make the hardest, most difficult of times more appealing. How it can bring a sense of tranquillity to an otherwise dangerous setting. Kofi learns the art of storytelling from his grandfather who tells him stories. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, the idea of it being written as poetry gives it a good flow but also makes the story sink in 10x deeper.

Misia
Abbey Park Readers

This book shows us the reality of how horrible the world was and how and still can be. We follow the story of a 11 year old boy being torn from his life and see his grief for what has been lost. It captures the history behind it drawing you into the book itself.

Amelia
Reepham Readers

I really enjoyed this book. The verse structure had an interesting effect on the voice of Kofi and let the writing be more free. The historical setting was great and I learnt more about that time. It included lots of backstory at the end, teaching Twi words and symbols. The plot had lots of depth and, as the author said at the end, it showed Black history which was nice to hear more about.

Lily
Fortismere

The Door Of No Return is a captivating book. I read it in the space of one evening. The way the story is written and formatted gives it more emotion and power than if it were in a typical novel form. when words were scattered across the page, or in different fonts, or different sizes, that really gave a stronger feeling to the words. The characters within the book have such intriguing stories to tell, which are all very human. The characters can be easily empathised with and related too, which is incredibly important when telling a story. It has a strong narrative, and is brave. It has also helped me understand the actual lives of the Asante people, rather than just the slave trade, and the statistics we're taught. This story shows the background information that is not really provided within history lessons. I love how, at the back of the book, there is a section on the Adinkra symbols, and how these symbols foreshadowed what was to come. that was really clever.

Zoë
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

The door of no return book review This is a story about 11 year old Kofi who lives Upper Kwanta Africa and loves water Although, in the day the water is fun and playful at night demons whisper from down below. This remains a mystery to Kofi throughout the book. After the civil war between Upper and Lower Kwanta, they only meet once a year for a festival where young men and women are chosen to fight against one another to signify power over the other. When someone close to Kofi is chosen the family expect this will bring riches and reward. However, this is not the case and brings a river of bad luck over Kofi and his loved ones. Reasons why I liked this book: I liked this book because it was very interesting to read about another culture, their celebrations and everyday life. It was exciting to find out what happened next as I didn’t know what to expect. Reasons why I didn’t like this book: I found I couldn’t really connect with the characters in this book as there was only one point of view. This made it difficult to imagine how the other characters felt about the situations. It was also a bit difficult to focus on the story as it was written in verse and some information couldn’t be inferred. Also, some of the content in this book, I found, was a bit gory at times and wasn’t, in my opinion, the things I wanted to read about. Overall, I feel like this book pushed me out of my comfort zone, as it was an entirely different genre and if there was more of the story, I may of been able to get into it, but I don’t think this was the book for me. I rate this book 4/10.

Holly
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The Door Of No Return is an excellent book written by Kwame Alexander. I enjoyed reading this story, it has opened my eyes to some awful things that have happened in the world. The book is based in West Africa, it is set in 1860. The story focuses on slavery, there are some really dark parts that made me think about people in Africa and how their lives may have been. Kofi Offin is the main character in the story, he is an 11 year old boy who has dreams and likes to take risks and enjoys adventures.His character is followed throughout the entire story, the author made me feel like I needed to know what was happening and wondering if Kofi was safe. The story is written in a verse poem style which are like short chapters, you get through them very quickly. I don’t find it easy to read large texts, this book definitely kept me interested and I was proud to reach the end of book 1, there are going to be 3 stories about Kofi. I hope he survives throughout the series. The author uses powerful descriptive language that gave me a really clear picture inside my head and made me feel like I was there alongside Kofi. The end of the book was a little confusing for me, so I had to reread the section a couple of times, however once I reread and understood what was happening everything came together. I hope to find out what happens for Kofi next. The entire book fascinating and at times upsetting. It made me really think about how lucky we are to live in a safe place. This is a book I would definitely read again and a story I will recommend to others, it has lots of cliffhangers that will make you want to read on!

Aimee
The Fitzharrys Shadows

This is another amazing book by Kwame Alexander. This book is spectacular, there are threats death and mysteries about what really is going on. When Kofta's brother dies after killing a lower Kawanta prince, Kofta is kidnapped and taken hostage. Can he escape and survive?

Mahiba
The Reading Queens

The Door of No Return is a book about a boy living in the Astante Kingdom named Kofi Offin. It begins as a book about normal childhood things: rivalries, competitions and lots of swimming, when a person dies at a festival and Kofi finds himself in a fight for his life. The unfortunate thing that I have found in this book is the verse writing. I found this the case because I feel that it seemed a little pointless. Aside from this one problem I found it to be a beautifully written book that tells an important story from a perspective that we don't normally see. Overall I would give this book 9/10.

Simon
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I really like how the book is written in verses because it makes the book feel more tense and helps with the mood.I really like how it has all the Ghanaian slang in which helps build the wonderful picture Kwame Alexander created. One of the best books I ever read. 4.75/5 stars.

Ethan
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

The story There was even a time in Upper Kwanta, a young boy named Kofi lived a happy life. He had friends, he had family he had annoying teachers, who made him speak English. He was told to stay away from the woods at night which he did, until he went with his brother but found himself alone, brutally forced past, the door of no return. In the book The story was gripping with an intriguing plot, it explored real past events, but without too much detail. It helped me understand more of a different culture and language and the past. I wanted to keep reading, and though there were tense and sad scenes, it was very enjoyable, however, I found the start was slow, and I was confused about who was who. It was not clear that there was a glossary so at the start, I didn’t know what a lot of the words meant. Reviewed I would recommend this book to fans of suspense and foreign, past cultures. Ages for this book would be 11-16 yr. olds I would compare this book with ‘Journey to the river sea’ by Eva Ibbotson because they both have an element of rivers and boats and dreaming. I would rate this book Eight out of ten I didn’t like it at first, but I enjoyed it thoroughly by the end.

Flo
The Fitzharrys Shadows

This was very good but I found it quite hard to keep a track of what is happening because of how it is a new section of the story every page pretty much. I don't think this is my winner.

eve
Beckfoot Oakbank Carnegies

This is a perspective expanding book. After reading through it's seat gripping story I found my self stunned by a new view on the cultures we lost during the colonization of the Americas. The main character Kofi starts out at arms with his other cousin. Paired with his brother and his friend Ebo he takes him on. Despite his grandfathers words of warning. But Kwame makes you believe this is going to be a story of family ties but in a turn of events. After the festival wrestling match leads to the king's son dying. he captures Kofi and his friends and sells them as slaves. After which I was Shocked and bemused but genuinely ecstatic about the turning of the tables.

Theo U
VISTA Academy

I found this book really good. I liked the fact it was written in poems. I liked the moral lessons behind it about following your dreams and family.

Jorja
Wolfpack

Test

SP
SPS Shadowers

A gripping story that sheds a light onto the mistreatment of indigenous peoples living in west Africa by colonial powers. Very well written and the use of words being spread around the page really engages the reader and makes them part of the book. Very much an enjoyable read.

Sam S
Ermysted’s

The door of no return is a heart-wrenching book that brings attention to black history. when swimming obsessed Kofi is captured by a rival village and sold to slave traders, he finds himself realising the value of family ties. I think that this is a wonderful book and I love the various metaphors and similes in it, my favourite is "gold became the god of these outsiders". because this metaphor shows that the outsiders wanted more and more of it. My favourite character is Ebo because I like how he boasts about Kofi's abilities and also believes that berries make you grow taller. I think that writing this book in verse was a really good choice because it made the plot go a lot quicker while still adding description.

Caiden o
VISTA Academy

Kwame Alexander's "The Door of No Return" delves deeply into the themes of identity, heritage, and the enduring legacy of slavery. Through evocative language, and haunting imagery, Alexander takes readers on a poignant journey to Ghana's Cape Coast Castle, where countless Africans were forcibly enslaved. I highly recommend this book as it pushes readers to face the past and embrace the power of resilience.

Yusra
KEVICHG

“The Door Of No Return” is a great novel it is written in verse which is something i rarely see done in books. At first the format of the book confused me , but then i really got into the story. Kofi’s thrilling adventures are enough to keep anyone turning the pages, even if, like me, this sort of book isn’t normally what you tend to lean towards. Alexander and this book are really pushing the boundaries of literature with not only the format of the book but also the occasional foreign word for a touch of authenticity. This is a great book, if not confusing at times, and I recommend it.

Jess
Fiction Addiction

The Door to No Return is a book about a boy named Kofi Offin that lives in Upper Kwanta. He dreams of the water and the river near to where he lives but that all changes when a festival between two rival kingdoms rolls around... I enjoyed the creative layout of the book and the the references to real historical events. I love that emotions are shown and playful nature with siblings. I didn't like that the book was sometimes hard to follow along and the ending was a little confusing so I had to take a minute to think about it. Overall, I liked the book however in my opinion there is room for improvement.

Daisy W
VISTA Academy

The Door of No Return is very well written, as whereas other writers would have probably lost the story or not managed to keep up the poetry style, this book does it perfectly, keeping the beautiful writing style without losing the reader. I thought that the dreams were a bit confusing, and felt a bit detached from the story though. It starts off quite light, but gets brutal in some parts, so I wouldn't recommend it as much for younger readers, but I feel this is really needed and greatly improves the impact of the story. The culture is beautiful, and the writer clearly has a passion for it. Overall, I think this is a incredibly well written book!

Edward L
Ermysted’s

I think this was a good book because it has goor and horror in it also it is a verse book. However, it takes a while to start and could get boring if you aren't a big reader.

James
Sir Harry’s Shadowers

I’ve read five pages and so far i don’t like the way it’s been written out, as the shorter lines don’t make any sense to me. But maybe it will be better if i read more.

Jasper
Sir Harry’s Shadowers

It's a really good book, with a gruesome bit in the middle. The little boy has to watch his big Brother die at a very young age. At the end they swim home and live a happy life, I really like this book.

Libby
Sir Harry’s Shadowers

The Door of No Return is a wonderful and captivating story. Kofi Offin, a young boy who lives in Upper Kwanta, West Africa is surrounded by family friends and cultural traditions. He enjoys swimming, stories and festivals that happen yearly. Suddenly, a dark twist in the story changes Kofi’s life for ever. Can he fight his way back to what used to be his life? I really enjoyed this book, normally I do not like books in verse but this has inspired me to read more! My favourite character in this book was Kwasi, the brother of Kofi. Throughout the book Kwasi was a brave loyal sibling and I really admired this about him. As a result, I think this showed me what all siblings are and should be. Additionally, I think this book highlights the importance of cultural identity and how other people shouldn’t try and change it and shape you into what they want you to be. Overall, I think this is a beautiful, enchanting story and has made me want to read more books in different styles. I would say anybody from 8+ could read this book, but may not understand the morals of some of the stories. I would rate this book 9/10.

Orla
The Fitzharrys Shadows

A masterpiece. I don't like verse poems but this book changed that, with its descriptive writing, it felt as I was there. I love the way this book was based on true events but it is still fiction. Excellent choice by Carnegies.

Mathew
Killy Krew

A perfect mix of light humor, mature themes and storytelling 4 1/2 stars

Artie
Macaulay Book Club

This book is set in Africa and follows a boy’s story through the slave trade era. When Kofi challenges his cousin ,when his brother joins the wrestling tournament and when the wonderfuls find him, everything goes wrong…

Saul
Ermysted’s

The poem-like format enhances reading for younger readers while still not losing its adult concepts. The ending is simple but still takes the reader by surprise and promotes contemplating after reading the book, allowing the reader to contemplate the ideas shown in the book. A truly great book for young readers whilst conveying adult concepts and information on foreign cultures, Kwame Alexander really shows his passions in this book and is brilliant because of it, amazing.

Max
Reepham Readers

the poem-like format enhances reading for younger readers while still not losing its adult concepts. The ending is simple but still takes the reader by surprise and promotes contemplating after reading the book, allowing the reader to contemplate the ideas shown in the book. A truly great book for young readers whilst conveying adult concepts and information on foreign cultures, Kwame Alexander really shows his passions in this book and is brilliant because of it, amazing.

Max
Reepham Readers

I have read and enjoyed Kwame Alexander's books before, so I had big expectations "The Door of No Return"- I am very happy to tell that this book exceeded my expectations! It was written in verse which was not new because it is used in modern literature nowadays, but I thought it was too short which meant that it didn't stay in my mind for long. However the messages were bold and the plot and settings were top-notch, but the story ended on a cliffhanger which was quite sad. A thrilling book exceeding its set benchmarks.

Yuvan
CRGS Book Society

The Door of No Return has a brilliant story and I really liked the setting of it. The only problem I had with the book was that the layout of the book was quite annoying as it only took up half of the page and I felt like there were too many sub-headings on each page.

Jayden
Sharples Shadows

I didn't quite like this book. It was quite complicated with two people having the same name and how some words weren't your typical English words. When Kofi's brother (the main character) killed someone everyone got very mad and said he shouldn't get off with a slap on the wrist. Now Kofi has all the pressure on him. I would rate this a 5/10 and recommend it to 14 years old and above.

Baasit
Ermysted’s

'The Door of No Return' was a fascinating read that really enveloped me in the story. The way the writing was structured was a different experience than what I’m used to seeing, but a nice change at that. I personally love historical fiction, and I believe Kwame Alexander did an excellent job capturing the brutality, suddenness, and misery these people experienced. I loved reading about young Kofi Offin’s daily life, banters, and struggles as he fits into his world. I do wish that we could’ve seen the outcome of the race, have Kofi get that success right before his life is plunged upside down. The chapters with Kofi in the water I especially liked. As a swimmer myself, I can relate to the feeling of peace, of fluidity, that occurs when I swim. Overall, I loved this book and had there been a sequel, I would’ve done anything to get that.

Abbey
ICS London’s Literary Lounge Crew

I found this book unique from any of the other books I have read so far. This is because the story was set in Africa at the time of the slave trade. It showed much of the culture ,stories and history of the people who were there. Also it seemed like the boy (Kofi) was only having to worry about everyday things and his cousin until his brother kills his opponent in the festival which ultimately ends in him being kidnapped.7/10.

Ben P
Ermysted’s

At first I did not understand the plot of this book but as I read more I found it quite interesting. I quite liked how the you don't actually know how the book ends. Another thing that I liked was the shift from normal book to a darker perspective.

hasan i
Ermysted’s

The Door of No Return starts out as a coming-of-age story. Told in verse, the reader gets a sense of the life and community where Kofi, the narrator, lives. He is an adolescent, on the cusp of taking part in an initiation ceremony where he will become an 'adult'. However, events take a dark turn, which lead Kofi to have to grow up quicker than he ever imagined. Kwame Alexander evokes strong images with few words - a testament to his storytelling. This is the first book of a trilogy, and it left me wanting to read more.

Mrs Grundy
Greenford High CSG

I enjoyed this book despite the fact it was written as a verse novel, which I really dislike. When reading verse novels, the words seem broken up to me which is likely the opposite of the intended effect but it makes it harder to read. Aside from that, I liked the book and especially the settings and immersion in a culture and language previously unknown to me. The importance of recognising identity and sticking together as a community is highlighted as well as, of course, the ugliness of colonisation and the slave trade. I thought it was clever how the main character did not know exactly what was going on around him as it emphasised the innocence and intrusion into lives. I liked the hope infused in the ending but I found that from the start of the action, events went very quickly and it was hard to process. Overall, a hard hitting and swift book.

Rosie
Bookiewookiedoodaas

I thought this book was really good. The way it was written made it a quick read and the poems were easy to understand. I really liked the characters and the way they interacted. Ebo was one of my favourites and I felt bad when Kwasi died. Overall, a very good book.

Laura
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

I really liked the door of no return. It was a big book but it read fast as it is written in verse. I love the images at the start which gave a real insight into how they lived in Africa at that time. The description really flowed and I especially love the conversation territory between Amma and Kofi. I did however think that maybe the story went too quickly from a nice time to immediate death and destruction and although this is hard in poetry I would have liked more description. But I did really really like how it all fitted together and the beautiful images that were insinuated by the writer. Overall I really liked The Door of No Return. I would give it 7 out of 10.

Seb
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

Really great book, I enjoyed it the whole way through. I really love how it shows what could actually happened, while also making it interesting using fiction. I would definitely recommend it!

Jairaj
Ermysted’s

I like this book because the book shows that your dream can also be the key to all your problems like in this book Kofi followed his dreams and it gave him freedom i rate this book a 7/10

baasim
Ermysted’s

I should have been more prepared for the outcome of this book, which is the first in a trilogy, given that I knew it was set in Africa during the time of the slave trade. The first part introduced me to a part of the world and a part of history that I had barely any knowledge or understanding of, and though it starts brutally with a zealous teacher punishing Kofi Offin for not using the Queen's English, I was easily caught up in the beautifully lyrical descriptions of life in Kofi Offin's Ghanaian home. His love of learning, love for his family, his friendships and rivalries and blossoming feelings for a friend, all lull you into believing that life is beautiful, free and only slightly overshadowed by the complicated tribal history of the area. Even when Kofi's brother is involved in a terrible accidental misfortune, even then I laboured under the belief that ancient treaties and years of shared struggle would mean a swift and friendly resolution to the tensions that arise mid-way through the story. So when I say I was unprepared for what happened next, I felt as if this was in fact the point. This book made me realise that it is wrong that I don't know more about, not just the slave trade, but also the rich history of places like Ghana. I should know and I should read this history from the mouths of the people who carry the tales from generation to generation. This book does have some horrible content, but it is necessary content and I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy and hopefully to seeing this book used in schools. I do love Kwame Alexander's writing and am a fan of verse novels so this was absolutely up my street.

Mrs McCarthy
St. Joe’s – The Book Was Better

The story was good in detail and imagination and I liked that it was based on history. The poems didn’t really use structure as well as they could have, however it was still a decent book.

Aaron
Ermysted’s

The Door of No Return

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