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AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A READ WITH JENNA TODAY SHOW BOOK CLUB PICK!  “Brave, fresh . . . unforgettable.”—The New York Times Book Review “A celebration of girls who dare to dream.”—Imbolo Mbue, author of Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club pick)   Shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and recommended by The New York Times, Marie Claire, Vogue, Essence, PopSugar, Daily Mail, Electric Literature, Red, Stylist, Daily Kos, Library Journal, The Everygirl, and Read It Forward! The unforgettable, inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her “louding voice” and speak up for herself, The Girl with the Louding Voice is a simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant tale about the power of fighting for your dreams.  Despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in her path, Adunni never loses sight of her goal of escaping the life of poverty she was born into so that she can build the future she chooses for herself – and help other girls like her do the same.  Her spirited determination to find joy and hope in even the most difficult circumstances imaginable will “break your heart and then put it back together again” (Jenna Bush Hager on The Today Show) even as Adunni shows us how one courageous young girl can inspire us all to reach for our dreams…and maybe even change the world.

In Abi Daré's powerful novel, "The Girl with the Louding Voice," we encounter Adunni, a spirited young Nigerian girl with an indomitable spirit and an unwavering determination to break free from the shackles of poverty and oppression.

Born into a society where girls are often seen as mere commodities, Adunni faces numerous challenges as she navigates her way through life. Her father, a stern and unyielding man, believes that educating girls is a waste of time and resources. He forces Adunni to drop out of school and marry a much older man, a wealthy farmer named Morufu.

Adunni's spirit, however, refuses to be silenced. Despite the hardships she faces, she continues to dream of a better life for herself and her unborn child. With the help of a sympathetic teacher and a newfound sense of self-worth, Adunni embarks on a perilous journey to Lagos, Nigeria's bustling commercial capital.

In Lagos, Adunni finds work as a housemaid, but her dreams of freedom and education remain alive. She befriends a kind-hearted woman named Grace, who provides her with shelter and the opportunity to attend night school. With dogged determination, Adunni studies hard and eventually earns her high school diploma.

However, Adunni's newfound freedom comes at a price. She faces discrimination and prejudice from those who believe that a woman's place is in the home. But Adunni's resilience and determination shine through as she fights for her right to education and self-determination.

Abi Daré's "The Girl with the Louding Voice" is a poignant and inspiring story of a young woman's unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of education and the right of every individual to pursue their dreams, regardless of their circumstances.