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Jade
Gregory through his history lessons at school, has just come into the knowledge of the discovery of a mineral resource: Jade, in Northern Kaduna, and how the country was almost split in two, surprisingly after the end of the Nigerian civil war.
Why such a major cover by the federal government? What really happened between 1979 to 1983?
Gregory embarks on a mission to find the answers to these questions. Will he discover the truth, or will he open up a can of worms that may blow up in his face?
Why such a major cover by the federal government? What really happened between 1979 to 1983?
Gregory embarks on a mission to find the answers to these questions. Will he discover the truth, or will he open up a can of worms that may blow up in his face?
164 pages, Hardcover
Published August 30, 2024
1 person want to read
About the author
Tracey Chizoba Fletcher
5 books65 followersTracey Chizoba Fletcher, born to a British father and Nigeria mother, is based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Feminine Shades is her first published book. She runs a column called Motivational Talk with Rainbow Magazine. She is equally a Voice over artist, red carpet host, and Editor.
Her signature is 'Be all that you are meant to be'.
She likes to describe herself as been 'More than a Woman'.
Feminine Shades is her first published book. She runs a column called Motivational Talk with Rainbow Magazine. She is equally a Voice over artist, red carpet host, and Editor.
Her signature is 'Be all that you are meant to be'.
She likes to describe herself as been 'More than a Woman'.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 11, 2024
“God has blessed us with mineral resources to enrich us and make our lives better. But how have we utilized it?” This is the statement made by one of the characters in the book, Jade.
Jade is a story of a high school student who tries to find an important piece of his country’s history. Written by Tracey Chizoba Fletcher, the plot is set in one of the states in northern Nigeria.
Gregory Agwu is excited to start the new school year. He’s now a senior secondary student. Together with his friends and classmates, he listens to the principal’s announcement, only to be dismayed at the news. The school head says that students in the Sciences, Commercial, and Arts classes are required to take History. Gregory and his friends think the class is unnecessary because they believe they already know everything about their country. Nevertheless, Gregory takes this class under Mr. Julius, albeit begrudgingly.
Eventually, the subject gets Gregory’s interest. He’s particularly intrigued when the teacher asked whether they knew of a second civil war that Nigeria almost had. Mr. Julius further explains that the government had issues with civilian rule and the oil boom at the time. Most of all, the discovery of a new mineral triggered violence that almost disintegrated the country. This is the part of history that piques Gregory’s interest. For he never knew that Nigeria has a precious mineral called jade.
The Key to the Jade Mystery
Gregory wonders why jade is never found in the history books of Nigeria. Mr. Julius does not know the answer either.
Curious that he is, Gregory does not leave things as it is. He’s bent on finding the truth about jade. He tries every possible avenue to solve the mystery of Nigerian history. Until an idea dawns on him. Gregory believes that his grandmother can help him. The old lady was already an adult during the time of its discovery. And so, she might know something about the mineral.
But, the problem is that Gregory’s grandmother suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. And, does she even know about the mineral? Will the elderly woman be able to supply the missing piece of the puzzle?
Jade: The Book and the Author
Jade is a short story packed with interesting facts about Nigeria. Although it’s historical fiction, the author gives readers a general view of the country. She highlights the political situation and the root of the conflicts in the land. Tracey Fletcher’s writing style is straightforward and bold. She exposes the greed and power play in this part of Africa and how these attitudes affect the people. The author subtly brings out a powerful message through one of the characters who says,
Moreover, Fletcher points out to the readers that not every important event is available in history books or online. I can personally relate to this. My generation and the ones that come after me would have never known about an important part of Philippine history. Until a documentary was released regarding a Jewish rescue during the Holocaust.
Nevertheless, there are two things that I like the most in the book. First is the grandmother’s act of passing on an heirloom to her grandson. Personally, I believe this is an important matter to keep the tradition alive. An heirloom connects the new generations with their past.
Another thing that I like is the part where the author shows how the family handles a member with Alzheimer’s Disease. Fletcher implies that love and compassion are important in dealing with the person suffering from the disease.
The Book’s Rating
Technically, I saw only two typographical but negligible errors in Jade. And so, I give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and I highly recommend it to readers 15 years old and above.
NOTE: The above review is also found in Books for All Seasons.
Jade is a story of a high school student who tries to find an important piece of his country’s history. Written by Tracey Chizoba Fletcher, the plot is set in one of the states in northern Nigeria.
Gregory Agwu is excited to start the new school year. He’s now a senior secondary student. Together with his friends and classmates, he listens to the principal’s announcement, only to be dismayed at the news. The school head says that students in the Sciences, Commercial, and Arts classes are required to take History. Gregory and his friends think the class is unnecessary because they believe they already know everything about their country. Nevertheless, Gregory takes this class under Mr. Julius, albeit begrudgingly.
Eventually, the subject gets Gregory’s interest. He’s particularly intrigued when the teacher asked whether they knew of a second civil war that Nigeria almost had. Mr. Julius further explains that the government had issues with civilian rule and the oil boom at the time. Most of all, the discovery of a new mineral triggered violence that almost disintegrated the country. This is the part of history that piques Gregory’s interest. For he never knew that Nigeria has a precious mineral called jade.
The Key to the Jade Mystery
Gregory wonders why jade is never found in the history books of Nigeria. Mr. Julius does not know the answer either.
Curious that he is, Gregory does not leave things as it is. He’s bent on finding the truth about jade. He tries every possible avenue to solve the mystery of Nigerian history. Until an idea dawns on him. Gregory believes that his grandmother can help him. The old lady was already an adult during the time of its discovery. And so, she might know something about the mineral.
But, the problem is that Gregory’s grandmother suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. And, does she even know about the mineral? Will the elderly woman be able to supply the missing piece of the puzzle?
Jade: The Book and the Author
Jade is a short story packed with interesting facts about Nigeria. Although it’s historical fiction, the author gives readers a general view of the country. She highlights the political situation and the root of the conflicts in the land. Tracey Fletcher’s writing style is straightforward and bold. She exposes the greed and power play in this part of Africa and how these attitudes affect the people. The author subtly brings out a powerful message through one of the characters who says,
“God has blessed us with mineral resources to enrich us and make our lives better. But how have we utilized it?”
Moreover, Fletcher points out to the readers that not every important event is available in history books or online. I can personally relate to this. My generation and the ones that come after me would have never known about an important part of Philippine history. Until a documentary was released regarding a Jewish rescue during the Holocaust.
Nevertheless, there are two things that I like the most in the book. First is the grandmother’s act of passing on an heirloom to her grandson. Personally, I believe this is an important matter to keep the tradition alive. An heirloom connects the new generations with their past.
Another thing that I like is the part where the author shows how the family handles a member with Alzheimer’s Disease. Fletcher implies that love and compassion are important in dealing with the person suffering from the disease.
The Book’s Rating
Technically, I saw only two typographical but negligible errors in Jade. And so, I give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and I highly recommend it to readers 15 years old and above.
NOTE: The above review is also found in Books for All Seasons.
July 29, 2021
When Gregory learns through a school history lesson about the discovery of jade in Nigeria and the subsequent war it caused he needs to learn more.
The best person to ask is his grandmother and he does so.
This is an amazing book. The story is told by Gregory's grandmother and she chronicles her youth and the volatile state of the country and how the government covered it up.
Sadly, his grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer's and the race is on to relay the story while she is still able to do so.
What I loved most about this book is the old woman passing down the history to her grandson in a way that humans have been doing for generations. Yet, it is becoming a lost art almost as if humanity itself is suffering from Alzheimer's. We are losing the ability or even the desire to pass down our histories and possibly losing the desire or the interest to hear it. And what a great loss that is.
I loved this book so much. It is one that will linger in my mind for a long time.
The best person to ask is his grandmother and he does so.
This is an amazing book. The story is told by Gregory's grandmother and she chronicles her youth and the volatile state of the country and how the government covered it up.
Sadly, his grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer's and the race is on to relay the story while she is still able to do so.
What I loved most about this book is the old woman passing down the history to her grandson in a way that humans have been doing for generations. Yet, it is becoming a lost art almost as if humanity itself is suffering from Alzheimer's. We are losing the ability or even the desire to pass down our histories and possibly losing the desire or the interest to hear it. And what a great loss that is.
I loved this book so much. It is one that will linger in my mind for a long time.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews