How You Grow Wings

By: Rimma Onoseta

Narrated by: Weruche Opia, Nneka Okoye

An award-winning, "unforgettable" novel for fans of Ibi Zoboi and Erika L. Sánchez (SLJ, starred review) about two sisters when the line between family and foe is blurred.

Sisters Cheta and Zam couldn’t be more different. Cheta, sharp-tongued and stubborn, never shies away from conflict—either at school or at home, where her mother fires abuse at her. Timid Zam escapes most of her mother’s anger, skating under the radar and avoiding her sister whenever possible.

In a lucky turn, Zam is invited to live in her aunt’s luxurious home. Jealous, Cheta also leaves home, but to a hard existence that will drive her to terrible decisions. When the sisters are reunited, Zam alone sees just how far Cheta has fallen—and Cheta’s fate is in Zam’s hands.

Kirkus Prize Finalist * Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year * An SLJ Best Book of the Year * A Children’s Africana Book Award Honor Winner * A Rise: A Feminist Book Project honoree * A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year * Nautilus Silver Award Winner * Amazon August Editors' pick

©2022 Rimma Onoseta (P)2022 Algonquin Young Readers

Critic reviews

“Onoseta’s devastatingly vulnerable debut, told nonlinearly in two teen Nigerian girls’ dual perspectives, portrays a tempestuous sisterhood amid colorism, familial trauma, and financial precarity…. Onoseta uses visceral prose to sensitively depict Zam and Cheta’s home life and the abuse they endured. The teens’ complicated familial relationships, further ravaged by wealth disparities and societal presumptions, presents an arresting look at two girls embarking on diverging futures in a character-driven story that promises—and delivers—hope for a brighter tomorrow.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The novel tells each sister’s story in ways that are moving and show how understandable the decisions they make are, even when they can’t empathize with one another…. Onoseta explores a range of social issues, including class, colorism, intergenerational trauma, and colonization, through a masterfully crafted and diverse cast of characters. This nonlinear narrative presents a universal story: girls striving to find their way in a patriarchal society. A stunning and emotional debut.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Masterfully written, evocative, and searing. How You Grow Wings is the story that I've been waiting for my whole life. Rimma Onoseta captures all-too-familiar, yet complex, family dynamics with candor, tenderness, conviction, and nuance. A brave strike against deep-seated generational trauma that has plagued families across several cultures for far too long.” —Candice Iloh, author of the National Book Award Finalist Every Body Looking

Thrilling in a calming way

I loved everything about the book. The character development and insight of everyone’s story was well paced and interesting. The narrator’s were eloquent with adequate detail. I absolutely loved it!

Fantastic Story

This was an awesome read (listen). Emotional and endearing at the same time. It really brought to light the fact that African children also have scars and feelings that are real although traditionally, never acknowledged! Thanks for addressing this issue with your work.

wonderful story, excellent narration

This story was a pleasure to read, as well as listen to. To me, the Nigerian accent is musical. I cared deeply for both girls, Cheta took a little longer to warm up to, and when I discovered why she is so obstinate, it sort of broke my heart. This is a wonderful story, I loved it.

Loved it!

This book was so real. I loved it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes Nigerian stories and movies.