Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl's hair gives her super powers in fun adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN opens, main character Onyeka's best friend, Cheyenne, almost drowns. But she's saved by Onyeka's abundant hair. When Onyeka returns home, her mother tells her that her hairy super power is a sign that Onyeka is a Solaris, a special protector of Nigeria. And that means they must flee London and hide out at the secret Academy of the Sun.
Is It Any Good?
Mutants appear in many cultures, and this lively superhero saga offers a fresh twist on the subject. Newcomer Tolá Okogwu may follow the Marvel Comic playbook a little too closely, but she adds enough Africa-based action to keep things interesting. Onyeka is a likable main character -- energetic one moment, contemplative the next. The action scenes are well choreographed, and the supporting cast is intriguing. Onyeka ends with a shocking revelation, and readers will be eager to read the next volume in this exciting series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun and how superhero stories work across various cultures.
Should parents keep secrets from their children? Should Onyeka's mother have told her about her missing father?
What do you think it would be like to have great powers and then lose them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Superheroes , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date : June 14, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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