65 pages • 2 hours read
Ibi ZoboiA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Background
“Half a Moon” by Renée Watson
“Black Enough” by Varian Johnson
“Warning: Color May Fade” by Leah Henderson
“Black. Nerd. Problems.” by Lamar Giles
“Out of the Silence” by Kekla Magoon
“The Ingredients” by Jason Reynolds
“Oreo” by Brandy Colbert
“Samson and the Delilahs” by Tochi Onyebuchi
“Stop Playing” by Liara Tamani
“Wild Horses, Wild Hearts” by Jay Coles
“Whoa!” by Rita Williams-Garcia
“Gravity” by Tracey Baptiste
“The Trouble With Drowning” by Dhonielle Clayton
“Kissing Sarah Smart” by Justina Ireland
“Hackathon Summers” by Coe Booth
“Into the Starlight” by Nic Stone
“The (R)evolution of Nigeria Jones” by Ibi Zoboi
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Sobechi Onyekachi is an African American high school student who is a star on his school’s debate team. His mother moved from Nigeria to England, then to the United States to meet his father. As he competes in the regional competition, he thinks back to the work his mom has done to help him become the debater he is—constantly critiquing his posture, the way his words sound, forcing him to speak with his eyes closed, and more.
After his final speech, which wins his team the competition, he is named best speaker. His coach meets his parents in the parking lot to tell them how well their son did. Through it all, Sobechi whispers to himself, repeating his argument and searching for ways to make it better.
When Sobechi’s family gets home, a new family is moving in next door and Sobechi’s mother makes him go over to help them move in. Sobechi helps the young girl, Dez, move her band equipment. She is dressed all in black, with chains, and Sobechi is shocked that she refers to her uncle as “Al,” using his first name. Sobechi notes how beautiful she is, tall and athletic, and thinks about her all night.
By Ibi Zoboi