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Kingdom of Dust
Author of A Comb of Wishes Lisa Stringfellow returns with a West African–inspired fantasy about a girl who is determined to return both magic and justice to her people—and whose destiny holds more surprises than she could ever imagine.
“A fascinating fairy tale of memory, the power of storytelling, and magic! Lisa Stringfellow has crafted a fantastic story of a young girl seeking to save her kingdom from the usurper that would destroy it. This coming-of-age story of self-discovery is a gift to young readers, who will see themselves mirrored in a heroine worth rooting for!”
--P. Djèlí Clark, author of Abeni's Song
Though the land of Kun used to be lush and green, Amara has only ever known her homeland as a dry, dusty desert. When the griots vanished more than a decade ago, they took their magic with them, along with goddess Oala’s gifts of rain and plenty, leaving Kun controlled by a powerful and uncaring king. And though her foster mother, Zirachi, assures her that Kun is not under a curse, Amara can’t help but wonder if her own origin, which is shrouded in mystery, is somehow linked to the broken kingdom.
When Amara and Zirachi are attacked by the Nkume, the fearsome king’s guard, Amara must flee, leaving all that she has known behind. With nowhere to go but knowing that she is under Oala’s protection, Amara sets off to do the find the griots and save Kun before the kingdom blows away like dust.
“A fascinating fairy tale of memory, the power of storytelling, and magic! Lisa Stringfellow has crafted a fantastic story of a young girl seeking to save her kingdom from the usurper that would destroy it. This coming-of-age story of self-discovery is a gift to young readers, who will see themselves mirrored in a heroine worth rooting for!”
--P. Djèlí Clark, author of Abeni's Song
Though the land of Kun used to be lush and green, Amara has only ever known her homeland as a dry, dusty desert. When the griots vanished more than a decade ago, they took their magic with them, along with goddess Oala’s gifts of rain and plenty, leaving Kun controlled by a powerful and uncaring king. And though her foster mother, Zirachi, assures her that Kun is not under a curse, Amara can’t help but wonder if her own origin, which is shrouded in mystery, is somehow linked to the broken kingdom.
When Amara and Zirachi are attacked by the Nkume, the fearsome king’s guard, Amara must flee, leaving all that she has known behind. With nowhere to go but knowing that she is under Oala’s protection, Amara sets off to do the find the griots and save Kun before the kingdom blows away like dust.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2024
4 people are currently reading
2295 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Stringfellow
2 books122 followersLisa Stringfellow writes middle grade fiction and has a not-so-secret fondness for fantasy with a dark twist. She is the author of two books for young readers, KINGDOM OF DUST and A COMB OF WISHES, which Newbery Award–winning author Kelly Barnhill called “one of the most promising works of fiction in a long time.” She writes for her twelve-year-old self, the kid waiting to be the brown-skinned hero of an adventure, off saving the world.
Lisa’s work often reflects her West Indian and Black southern heritage. She received the inaugural Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Manuscript Award for a draft of A COMB OF WISHES, which was a Bram Stoker Award Finalist, an Indies Introduce Top Ten title, an Indie Next List selection, and a New England Booksellers Association Book Award Finalist. Author P. Djèlí Clark calls her West African–inspired fantasy, KINGDOM OF DUST, “A fascinating fairy tale of memory, the power of storytelling, and magic!”
Lisa is a middle school teacher and lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her children and bossy cat.
Lisa’s work often reflects her West Indian and Black southern heritage. She received the inaugural Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Manuscript Award for a draft of A COMB OF WISHES, which was a Bram Stoker Award Finalist, an Indies Introduce Top Ten title, an Indie Next List selection, and a New England Booksellers Association Book Award Finalist. Author P. Djèlí Clark calls her West African–inspired fantasy, KINGDOM OF DUST, “A fascinating fairy tale of memory, the power of storytelling, and magic!”
Lisa is a middle school teacher and lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her children and bossy cat.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 11, 2024
Lisa Stringfellow is not only a master storyteller, but she's quickly becoming an auto-read author for me. The whole concept of this novel and utilizing griots as the foundation was thrilling, unique, and what I like to see in middle grade fantasy. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
August 3, 2024
This book was a fun adventure for kids. While the story was a pretty standard fantasy plot, the worldbuilding and the magic system were interesting and unique. The book was a fast paced read with plenty of fun action. I do wish the story had more pages to flesh out the characters’ personalities a bit more, but overall it was a pleasant reading experience.
December 1, 2024
Incredible story that is unique and rich in depth. I recommend for MG read alouds and readers that love fantasy and adventure.
February 13, 2025
Adored this. The world that Lisa creates is so detailed and the characters are so rich I could see them in front of me - rather like the stories the griots tell! She’s an incomparable talent, I can’t wait to share this w the other middle grade kids in my life.
February 1, 2025
Kingdom of Dust by Lisa Stringfellow is a fairy tale. According to the author it’s about, “a black girl who rescues a princess in a tower, and in doing so she saves not only the world, but herself.”
The kingdom of Kun was once lush and green but is now a dusty dessert ruled by the evil King Eze Udo who has turned against Oala, mother of earth and creation. The transformation of Kun started twelve years ago at the same time Zirachi found the baby Amara on her doorstep. Amara goes on a journey to find the other half of herself and finds Chizoba with the matching birthmark in an isolated castle. The two girls magically become one person, and Queen Amarachi saves and restores the kingdom of Kun, a happy ending.
Kingdom of Dust has a Table of Contents and ends with a Glossary and Pronunciation Guide. I don’t have any sense the book is accessible for independent reading for girls in the middle grades. It is a book to be read aloud by a teacher or parent who will interpret the important cultural implications in the book. You may have some parents who will object to religious connections.
I recommend the book for optional purchase.
C.S.
Ret. HS English Teacher
The kingdom of Kun was once lush and green but is now a dusty dessert ruled by the evil King Eze Udo who has turned against Oala, mother of earth and creation. The transformation of Kun started twelve years ago at the same time Zirachi found the baby Amara on her doorstep. Amara goes on a journey to find the other half of herself and finds Chizoba with the matching birthmark in an isolated castle. The two girls magically become one person, and Queen Amarachi saves and restores the kingdom of Kun, a happy ending.
Kingdom of Dust has a Table of Contents and ends with a Glossary and Pronunciation Guide. I don’t have any sense the book is accessible for independent reading for girls in the middle grades. It is a book to be read aloud by a teacher or parent who will interpret the important cultural implications in the book. You may have some parents who will object to religious connections.
I recommend the book for optional purchase.
C.S.
Ret. HS English Teacher
June 29, 2024
“Storytelling is universal and is as ancient as humankind.… It exists (and existed) to entertain, to inform, and [most importantly] to promulgate cultural traditions and values.” (education.nationalgeographic.org)
Twelve-year-old Amara has no memory of any family other than Zirachi who found the baby in a basket on her doorstep. Since then they have lived together on their farm in Danel. “I pray that Zirachi and I never have to leave our home.” (ARC 13) However, in Danel and the whole of Kun there has been no rain, no plants, no green fields with animals grazing, and Zare, the great desert, is taking over the land. People are starving even though they pray and give harvest gifts to Oala, the goddess. The land, formerly lush and green, has always been ruled by a child of Oala, but the present king took the throne by force. And the griots, storytellers of the culture and memory, no longer exist.
When King Udo comes to the New Yam Festival and sees Amara and the crescent-shaped birthmark on her neck, soldiers are sent to capture her. She escapes with the help and magic of an old woman she met in the marketplace, and, traveling to an island fortress, learns that it is up to her—and only her—to rescue the true child of Oala, a daughter, and save the kingdom. Griot Uchendu, who has been in hiding with the few existing griots ever since Udo took over with the help of those who turned away from the goddess, tells Amara, “I’m sorry child. I send you on a difficult journey, but it is one that none but you can complete. May Oala guide your steps and give you strength.” (ARC 94)
With twists and turns, battles, captures, and rescues, villains and surprising heroes, this West African fantasy folktale will hold the attention of all readers. Many times fantasy worlds are difficult to envision but, perfectly-crafted, readers will be able to picture Kun, understand its culture, and follow the hero’s journey. The novel is so well-written that teachers and writers will use passages as mentor texts.
Twelve-year-old Amara has no memory of any family other than Zirachi who found the baby in a basket on her doorstep. Since then they have lived together on their farm in Danel. “I pray that Zirachi and I never have to leave our home.” (ARC 13) However, in Danel and the whole of Kun there has been no rain, no plants, no green fields with animals grazing, and Zare, the great desert, is taking over the land. People are starving even though they pray and give harvest gifts to Oala, the goddess. The land, formerly lush and green, has always been ruled by a child of Oala, but the present king took the throne by force. And the griots, storytellers of the culture and memory, no longer exist.
When King Udo comes to the New Yam Festival and sees Amara and the crescent-shaped birthmark on her neck, soldiers are sent to capture her. She escapes with the help and magic of an old woman she met in the marketplace, and, traveling to an island fortress, learns that it is up to her—and only her—to rescue the true child of Oala, a daughter, and save the kingdom. Griot Uchendu, who has been in hiding with the few existing griots ever since Udo took over with the help of those who turned away from the goddess, tells Amara, “I’m sorry child. I send you on a difficult journey, but it is one that none but you can complete. May Oala guide your steps and give you strength.” (ARC 94)
With twists and turns, battles, captures, and rescues, villains and surprising heroes, this West African fantasy folktale will hold the attention of all readers. Many times fantasy worlds are difficult to envision but, perfectly-crafted, readers will be able to picture Kun, understand its culture, and follow the hero’s journey. The novel is so well-written that teachers and writers will use passages as mentor texts.
April 29, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
The African folklore was very interesting, but this seemed very familiar because there was magic that had been damaged by evil rulers, and a tween that has to save the world and find out her own history. I might have bought it, since it's a good length, but the cover looks very young. An engaging story for readers who enjoyed Okorafor's Ikenga, Smith's Where the Black Flowers Bloomed, Perry's Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms, and Hendrix's Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans.
The African folklore was very interesting, but this seemed very familiar because there was magic that had been damaged by evil rulers, and a tween that has to save the world and find out her own history. I might have bought it, since it's a good length, but the cover looks very young. An engaging story for readers who enjoyed Okorafor's Ikenga, Smith's Where the Black Flowers Bloomed, Perry's Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms, and Hendrix's Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans.
August 17, 2024
Lisa Stringellow's second middle grade novel, KINGDOM OF DUST, is wonderful. Infused with West African themes and language, the fairy tale stars an endearing protagonist named Amara. Threatened by an evil king, Amara uncovers hidden talents and inner strength as she tries to return her homeland to its previous ecological richness. In a story filled with travels, danger, family and self-discovery, Stringfellow's tight, vivid prose propel the reader forward. A must-read magical adventure for young readers.
September 14, 2024
Lisa Stringfellow’s engaging and memorable ‘Kingdom of Dust’ will immediately transport you into a world of adventure, intrigue, magic, and discovery of who you are. Young readers will be delighted to find a relatable heroine who desires to rise to the call to care for those around her despite her fears. Amara is an inspiration in the realness of both her bravery and uncertainty. She reminds readers that we are complicated people. Be ready for some twists and turns that readers won’t see coming. Filled with great storytelling, ‘Kingdom of Dust’ is a must-read!
February 21, 2025
I enjoyed the way this story drew from West African culture, particularly the Igbo, to create such a full world. The author’s note about fairy tales tied things together well and gave me a new perspective on an element of the story that I originally thought happened a little too quickly. This would be great for reluctant readers, especially since it’s right at the 200-page mark and the chapters are fairly short. It’s also great for kids transitioning from early chapter books to longer ones. I’d recommend this for 4th - 6th grade.
December 3, 2024
My son won't fall asleep on his own, so I often listen to audiobooks with earbuds after our bedtime routine as I stretch out beside him and wait for him to fall asleep. Usually, he doesn't ask, but last night, as I was reading this, he asked about the book. I told him the story as best I could, and he thought it sounded really good (I agree). This is one to reread with him! Looking forward to that.
March 4, 2025
Amara lives on an orchard in the land of Kun. Though she and her adopted mother, Ziarchi, have very little, they have each other and are happy with their simple lives, though worried about the famine that is overcoming the kingdom. When King Udo comes to town, everything changes in an instant. Suddenly, people are after Amara and trying to kill her. What she learns about herself as a result is absolutely shocking... including that only Amara can save the kingdom from Udo and the famine.
October 18, 2024
I have no idea how Lisa Stringfellow managed to make such a slim story feel so grand & breathlessly epic, but oh, my goodness ... I can still feel this world clinging to my skin. It's GORGEOUS. When people say a book "feels like a classic," this is exactly what they're referring to. It's a fairy tale, it's an adventure, it's an ode to storytelling and memory, and it will stay with me forever.
December 24, 2024
An African-set fantasy where our kid is the chosen one to save the country from an evil king and ecological collapse. There are several unusual twists on that road, with complications around who to trust and spotting betrayal.
My problem was that the villains had a very good point although they then had to double down on kicking puppies and stuff so we would keep rooting for our heroes.
My problem was that the villains had a very good point although they then had to double down on kicking puppies and stuff so we would keep rooting for our heroes.
October 17, 2025
If you want a super-rushed book, go for it. Personally, I like to recommend books with stronger character and plot, but kids looking for a quick read will like this (so long as they ignore the cover)
This is a Reader Selector for the Mark Twain Award in the state of Missouri. I haven't read the other fantasy on the list, but right now this is not a book I would recommend. C'est la vie.
This is a Reader Selector for the Mark Twain Award in the state of Missouri. I haven't read the other fantasy on the list, but right now this is not a book I would recommend. C'est la vie.
August 31, 2024
A heartwarming middle grade fantasy novel full of west African folklore about a young girl’s journey to save her people. I would’ve appreciated more depth but also enjoyed the atmospheric writing. The author’s note at the end was sweet and explained why stories like Kingdom or Dust are important!
January 6, 2025
It was a good book. I finished it in 2 sittings.
Although I felt that the book could have benefited from some more depth to the characters and more flushing out of the story. Specially the ending felt so rushed compared to the starting.
Although I felt that the book could have benefited from some more depth to the characters and more flushing out of the story. Specially the ending felt so rushed compared to the starting.
September 30, 2024
Some parts felt rushed, otherwise it was super enjoyable.
March 26, 2025
This book was a great read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews