Figgy in the World

by Tamsin Janu

Figgy has two problems. One is her name. Nobody in Ghana has that name. The other is that her grandmother is ill and needs special medicine. Figgy can't do much about her name, but she can do something for Grandma Ama. She will go to America and bring back the medicine, and Kwame, her special goat, will go with her. Out in the wide world she will meet some bad people, but she will also find good friends.

Genres: Childrens, Africa, Humor

183 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Hanieh Sadat Shobeiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

سه‌گانه‌ی فیگی، نوشته‌ی تامسین ژانو، ترجمه‌ی سحر حدیقه، انتشارات محراب قلم🌜

دوسش داشتم. با اینکه مخاطب اثر کودک و نوجوانه، ولی نویسنده اصلا سعی نکرده زندگی توی آفریقا رو خوب و ملایم نشون بده یا به اصطلاح Sugar coatش کنه.
شخصیت اصلی داستان یه دختربچه‌ی سیاهپوست اهل غناست که توی بچگی یک چشمش رو از دست داده و می‌خواد پای پیاده به آمریکا بره و دارویی برای مادربزرگ مریضش پیدا کنه.
آیا به آمریکا می‌رسه؟
خب، کسی هم انتظار نداره که برسه!
چیزی که عموماً توی رمان‌های نوجوان نسل جدیدتر میبینم اینه که هیچ معجزه‌ای در کار نیست. نقش اصلی داستان می‌فهمه که واقعیتْ عظیم و ترسناکه و باید یاد بگیره که باهاش رو‌به‌رو بشه.
برعکس کتاب‌ها و فیلم‌هایی که ما باهاش بزرگ شدیم، قدرت اراده و دوستی برای خلق معجزه کافی نیست؛ بلکه باید صبر داشته باشی، مسائلت رو با آدم‌های عاقل‌تر از خودت به اشتراک بذاری و یاد بگیری که از راه درستش عمل کنی. راه درست هم به طرز عذاب‌آوری کسل‌کننده‌ست و صبر ایوب می‌خواد! و نویسنده، این قضیه رو به نحو احسن نشون داده.
لازمه یه اشاره ویژه هم به مترجم اثر بکنم که افتخار آشنایی‌ش رو دارم و کارش رو فوق‌العاده انجام داده.
تکه‌ای از متن کتاب:
قبل از آن‌که کسی متوجه شود، پول را چپاند توی جیب تونیکم. به عمرم آن‌قدر پول نداشتم. می‌خواستم آن را از توی جیبم بیرون بیاورم، اما اُساگیفو با دستش جلوی من را گرفت.
ـ بماند پیشت. دلم نمی‌خواهد مامان‌بزرگ بمیرد.
ـ اما برای خودت هیچ پولی نمی‌ماند.
او شانه بالا انداخت: «من فقط هشت سال دارم؛ پول می‌خواهم چه کار؟ همین‌جوری بی‌مصرف افتاده توی روبالشتی‌ام. می‌ترسم یک روز پول زیادی من را خرفت و کلّه‌پوک کند.»
من که شک داشتم. اُساگیفو مهربان‌ترین پسری است که می‌شناسم. پولش را توی جیبم نگه داشتم و گونه‌اش را بوسیدم. فکر کنم از این کارم معذّب شد، چون بقیه‌ی روز از من دوری کرد :))

[Sue Krust · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book from a first-time author. In particular, the author has successfully managed to layer the story with the voice of a young child coupled with the reader's deeper understanding of events. A breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.

[Rosanne Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Figgy in the World. Very good characterisation, plot and writing. A great reading experience. And we get to know not only Figgy, her goat, and friend, Nana, but a bit about Ghana as well.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous tale of courage, tenacity and humility and an outstanding example of simplicity that truly impacts. Ideal for idealistic 7 + year olds.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in teats by the end and i couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to everyone.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my grade 3/4 class and they were captivated. The characters are not just relatable, they are dense and nuanced, they grow and change and act differently in different circumstances. There are so many talking points for kids throughout this book. It also gave them a window into a world vastly different from their own - rural Ghana. Again, so much to talk about, wonder and research as we read. Highly recommend for a class read aloud. Big themes, easy to access even for students with low literacy/limited English vocabulary.

[Meghan Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book for late primary school level. It provides insight into a world that is unimaginably different to our own, allowing for discussion around important issues such as resilience, compassion, kindness and community. At no point are we asked to pity the spirited protagonists and the story is enlivened with a mix of humour and drama. Wonderful.

[Mable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Figgy In The World

Figgy in the world is a book about courage, loss and the rights for Ghanaians. When Grandma Ama suddenly becomes sick, it is Figgy’s job to find medicine to cure it. With the medicine in America she needs courage and teamwork so she finds a boy called Nana to help her on her journey. Their favourite goat Kwame dies in a car accident but that can’t stop them. Kofi a rich man helps Nana and Figgy to northern Ghana which is filled with good things. When Figgy finds out Nana has a typhoid fever they need to rush to hospital immediately. When they arrive they say Nana cannot be cured. Figgy desperately wanted to go to America. Kofi told Figgy what happened. They reunite with Grandma Ama and she gets cured.

This book was a pleasure to read and I would recommend it to children who are around 12 years of age. A beautiful 8.5/10

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courage leads Figgy to action. She must get to America to get a bank loan to buy medicines her Grandmother needs. Figgy is in Ghana and eight years old. She heads for the local bus station with lunch money to finance her trip.

Hope leads Figgy on. Nana, a 10-year-old boy befriends her and thinks she needs his guidance to get to the "United Stilts of America".

Fear keeps them travelling. Not everyone is nice. They hide and are cautious to keep safe.
Sickness and hunger haunt them and slow their travels.

Generosity saves, frightens and rescues them.

Recommended for 8+. A great book to read together.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was lovely! Sweet and innocent Figgy in her journey to help her grandma, accompanied by goat and friend.
If you need some relief from the news, escape to Figgy's Ghana, it's a quick read but worth it 😃

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's the writing might be simple the message is anything but. A must read for Grade 6+

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Figgy is such a loveable character; so innocent and courageous! Despite the challenges she is endeavouring to overcome, she has an incredibly generous soul. A lovely read.

[Jaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid adventure tale. Suitable for grade four and beyond.

[anna ♛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5?? I read this like 5 years ago lol

[Francesca Pashby]

Chirpy Ghanaian children having adventures, trying to get to 'The United Stilts of America' to buy medicine? Not in 2021, I'm afraid, and not by a white Australian author, however well intended.

[Calvin Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an engaging and sensitive story that takes you through Ghanaian culture, seen through the eyes of a child. The 'adventure' that she goes on is admirable yet naïve and the story is all the better for it. The protagonist/narrator is particularly endearing, as is the friend she makes along the way. There are moments of happiness and sadness that are depicted carefully, with due consideration for the target audience, though not condescending towards them. An elegantly written story of a girl with epic aspirations, that everyone would benefit from reading.

[Zanni Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful book leapt off the library shelves, and into my lap. Figgy is a sweet heroine, driven by love. She meets other loveable characters through her journey, particularly 10 year old Nana, who she forms a strong friendship with. The writing is simple, but perfect for this middle grade age group. And the story is very moving.

[WillRu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it because of the adventure to the United States. I haven't read the other book but I am eager to read it. I loved how Figgy never gave up and showed resilience. I would recommend this book to kids of nine and over. I have been to Africa myself and seen how people live there, so this book resonates with me.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved spirited young Figgy from the very first moment I got to meet her; her positive outlook on the world even though life had dealt her some big blows already, her willingness to do what it takes to help those she loves and cares for. I also felt transported back to Ghana from the very first words. Not everything was convincing though and some of the portrayal of Ghana did not feel right and in some cases it is wrong - I am always disappointed when all indigenous languages are referred to as dialects; while there are dialects in Ghana too, what is referred to in the book as dialects are indeed languages. Nevertheless, I appreciate having an addition to our library collection set in Ghana with a spunky protagonist that hopefully will create more interest in the country and its people among our young readers.

[Rennai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy to read story which would suit students from years 7 to 9 who like a real life story that is quick and easy to read. It is set in Ghana. The main character, Figgy, is a kind hearted and determined 8 year old who goes on a journey to try to get to America to buy medicine for her sick grandmother. On the way she makes a good friend named Nana, who is nearly 10. The two children join forces trying to survive the streets of Ghana, as they travel together. This is a beautiful story of friendship and love. It shows the extreme poverty of Ghana and although there are some "bad people" who take advantage of children, the story is generally up lifting.

[Anna Carles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Figgy has an unusual name, maybe she is the only one in The World with that name. Figgy doesn't know much about The World, but she is keen to learn. When her grandma get sick and looks like she might die Figgy is distraught. Determined to save Grandma Ama, Figgy and Kwame the goat set off on a journey to get medicine from America. Along the way they meet a wonderfully vibrant cast of characters, and learn a lot about The World.
Figgy in the World is wonderfully quirky and heartfelt, I really felt like I was there by her side the whole way through 8/10

[G.Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for younger readers. The characters are appealing, the themes universal and the writing good. Figgy and Nana are on a quest to get from Ghana to America but really do not understand where America is. The purpose of there journey is to get some medicine for Grandma Ama who cares for Figgy. Along the way we care introduced to the many faces of humanity, both good and bad. Encourage readers of 9+ to read.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal for Stage 3 - addresses difficult/complex issues, however it is portrayed through the innocent eyes of a child which makes it more approachable for discussion. Looking at themes such as family, friendship, poverty, health, violence and hope.

A young girl from Ghana embarks on an adventure and encounters many challenges and setbacks.
A wonderful and thought provoking story that will encourage kids to consider the lives of those less fortunate in other parts of the world.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit that the first couple of chapters didn't grab me.... and I did put it down and read something else, before coming back to it - 'cos I'm no quitter! Glad I did because once 'Nana' appeared, the book took an entertaining turn.
Great to learn a bit about Ghana - will be good for 'western' children to read about others with such different backgrounds.

[Mel]

Interesting read. well written. the interaction between figgy and nana provided the polish to the story. and kwane. probably more like 3.5 stars.... I stopped thinking about it when I finished; how much i think about a book (its characters) afterwards influences my rating. :) Found the insight into ghana the catalyst to my page turning. I read it in one sitting.

[Nella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful Pollyanna style story for younger readers about a young Ghanian girl and her adventures as she searches for medicine for her grandmother. Reminiscent in tone of Alexandra McCall Smith's Botswana novels.

[Jo Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The innocent, naive child-like voice took a little while to get used to (some of my students found it annoying initially), but I really grew to like Figgy's voice. Entertaining and heart warming.

[Despi O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to Year 4 as a class text. Students loved this book and were on the edge of their seats throughout. They never wanted us to stop. As one boy said at the end of nearly every chapter, "Not another cliffhanger!"

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Year five and above. Figgy is a likeable character & you really want her to succeed on her crazy mission.

[Susan Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably what I admired most about this book was the strong POV character of Figgy. I love books that encourage us to walk a mile in someone else's shoes and this one certainly does.