What do you think?
Rate this book
Big Small People
280 pages, Paperback
Published April 8, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
![Profile Image for Kenny [the.idlereader] ⋆˚✿˖° 𐙚 ₊ ⊹ ♡.](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1765445107i/158452442._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
April 19, 2025
wow!!! what a powerful and unexpectedly profound read. i went into this book thinking it would be light and funny (and it certainly delivers on humor at the start; i caught myself laughing out loud more than once), but i wasn’t prepared for the emotional depth it eventually reached. it quietly shifts from playful to piercing, and i found myself fully immersed in the story.
at its heart, the book follows the lives of three children; Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed, each forced to confront the brutal demands of growing up far too early, shaped by circumstances entirely beyond their control. their paths cross in the most unexpected and oddly fateful ways, and through them, the narrative explores what it means to survive when the world is constantly falling apart around you. 🥺
what struck me most was how deeply this story resonates with the current realities in Nigeria (ohhhh boy! 😮💨). it’s frighteningly familiar; grief, loss, terrorism, survival. it doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, yet it carries these themes with such honesty and care.
the writing style is another strength; so clean, so fluid. short chapters keep the momentum steady, and the language is simple without ever losing its emotional punch. it’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you: easy to read, hard to forget. 👏👏
i absolutely recommend this one. 💯
at its heart, the book follows the lives of three children; Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed, each forced to confront the brutal demands of growing up far too early, shaped by circumstances entirely beyond their control. their paths cross in the most unexpected and oddly fateful ways, and through them, the narrative explores what it means to survive when the world is constantly falling apart around you. 🥺
what struck me most was how deeply this story resonates with the current realities in Nigeria (ohhhh boy! 😮💨). it’s frighteningly familiar; grief, loss, terrorism, survival. it doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, yet it carries these themes with such honesty and care.
the writing style is another strength; so clean, so fluid. short chapters keep the momentum steady, and the language is simple without ever losing its emotional punch. it’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you: easy to read, hard to forget. 👏👏
i absolutely recommend this one. 💯
June 10, 2025
When I first picked up this book, I didn’t like the writing style because it was told from a child’s perspective. Surprisingly, that ended up being one of the very reasons I fell in love with it.
The story follows the lives of three children who were forced to grow up too quickly. From an abusive father, to an absentee one, to another who thought abandoning his child to an Almajiri would somehow correct his son’s stubbornness.
My favorite character has to be Ahmed, a young boy still trying to navigate the complexities of adolescence, who desperately needed the guidance of a good parent. Instead, he was robbed of his childhood and fell into the hands of terrorists.
Without giving too much away, if you’re looking for a quick read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend this.
The story follows the lives of three children who were forced to grow up too quickly. From an abusive father, to an absentee one, to another who thought abandoning his child to an Almajiri would somehow correct his son’s stubbornness.
My favorite character has to be Ahmed, a young boy still trying to navigate the complexities of adolescence, who desperately needed the guidance of a good parent. Instead, he was robbed of his childhood and fell into the hands of terrorists.
Without giving too much away, if you’re looking for a quick read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend this.
April 21, 2025
why did it end like that??
there has to be more😭
there has to be more😭
May 16, 2026
Reading Big Small People honestly felt like reading four separate books 😭 At first, I kept wondering how all these characters and storylines were supposed to connect because everybody seemed to be living completely different lives with their own chaos. So instantly I started thinking oh short stories
And then somewhere in the middle it slowly starts clicking together.
Little details you barely paid attention to suddenly matter. A random conversation connects to another character’s experience, one person’s decision affects someone else entirely, and before you realize it, all the stories are tangled together so perfectly. The realization genuinely shocked me because I thought I was just reading multiple parallel stories 😭 the authors is so brilliant for this
What made it even better was how natural the connections felt. Nothing seemed forced. It was like watching different threads being woven into one fabric right in front of you. Every character felt real and layered, and the emotional weight hit harder once you understood how deeply interconnected they all were.
The storytelling was so clever because the book trusts you to figure things out gradually instead of spoon-feeding everything immediately. By the end, I just sat there thinking “ohhhh THAT’S why we needed everybody’s perspective.” Such a satisfying reading experience honestly
And then somewhere in the middle it slowly starts clicking together.
Little details you barely paid attention to suddenly matter. A random conversation connects to another character’s experience, one person’s decision affects someone else entirely, and before you realize it, all the stories are tangled together so perfectly. The realization genuinely shocked me because I thought I was just reading multiple parallel stories 😭 the authors is so brilliant for this
What made it even better was how natural the connections felt. Nothing seemed forced. It was like watching different threads being woven into one fabric right in front of you. Every character felt real and layered, and the emotional weight hit harder once you understood how deeply interconnected they all were.
The storytelling was so clever because the book trusts you to figure things out gradually instead of spoon-feeding everything immediately. By the end, I just sat there thinking “ohhhh THAT’S why we needed everybody’s perspective.” Such a satisfying reading experience honestly
June 11, 2025
4.5⭐
In Big Small People, Jesudubami Jemima doesn’t hold back. Her message is bold, daring, and deeply heartbreaking—delivered through a writing style that’s simple yet powerful.
Told from the perspectives of three children—Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed—each from different backgrounds, the book explores life through their young but heavily burdened eyes. Through their stories, we witness how children navigate the pain of an abusive father, an absent father, and an authoritarian father. Their innocence radiates through the pages, but so does a haunting maturity, as though life forced them to grow up too soon.
Jesudubami masterfully highlights how religious leaders—pastors and Imams who twist sacred teachings—contribute to the cycle of trauma and suffering. One particularly brilliant technique she uses is language: the varying levels of English subtly reveal each child’s social class, adding depth and realism to their voices.
To me, Big Small People reads like a tribute to the countless children neglected by their parents and abandoned by the systems meant to protect them, especially within the harsh realities of insecurity in Nigeria.
This book is fast-paced and unputdownable. You’ll laugh, but you’ll cry even more. I highly recommend it.
In Big Small People, Jesudubami Jemima doesn’t hold back. Her message is bold, daring, and deeply heartbreaking—delivered through a writing style that’s simple yet powerful.
Told from the perspectives of three children—Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed—each from different backgrounds, the book explores life through their young but heavily burdened eyes. Through their stories, we witness how children navigate the pain of an abusive father, an absent father, and an authoritarian father. Their innocence radiates through the pages, but so does a haunting maturity, as though life forced them to grow up too soon.
Jesudubami masterfully highlights how religious leaders—pastors and Imams who twist sacred teachings—contribute to the cycle of trauma and suffering. One particularly brilliant technique she uses is language: the varying levels of English subtly reveal each child’s social class, adding depth and realism to their voices.
To me, Big Small People reads like a tribute to the countless children neglected by their parents and abandoned by the systems meant to protect them, especially within the harsh realities of insecurity in Nigeria.
This book is fast-paced and unputdownable. You’ll laugh, but you’ll cry even more. I highly recommend it.
May 16, 2025
This book didn’t ease me in gently, it grabbed me by the heart and didn’t let go. It’s raw, real, and honestly, so important. It’s not wrapped in comfort or fluff; it hits hard with emotion and shows what it really means to grow up when everything around you is falling apart.
At first, I thought it would be a fun, light read. I even laughed a little. But slowly, the mood shifted and before I knew it, I was deep in something sad and haunting. The change is so smooth, you almost don’t notice it until it’s too late and you’re fully in your feelings.
The story follows three kids, Ahmed, Stephanie, and Deborah, who are dealing with way more than kids should ever have to. Each one tells their story in a way that really hits you.
The writing is simple, not flashy, but it stays with you. It’s quiet but powerful.
What really got me was how familiar it all felt. The violence, the loss, the constant fight just to survive. it reminded me so much of what we see in Nigeria today. The book doesn’t try to soften any of it. It tells the truth, boldly but with care. And that truth? It stays with you.
At first, I thought it would be a fun, light read. I even laughed a little. But slowly, the mood shifted and before I knew it, I was deep in something sad and haunting. The change is so smooth, you almost don’t notice it until it’s too late and you’re fully in your feelings.
The story follows three kids, Ahmed, Stephanie, and Deborah, who are dealing with way more than kids should ever have to. Each one tells their story in a way that really hits you.
The writing is simple, not flashy, but it stays with you. It’s quiet but powerful.
What really got me was how familiar it all felt. The violence, the loss, the constant fight just to survive. it reminded me so much of what we see in Nigeria today. The book doesn’t try to soften any of it. It tells the truth, boldly but with care. And that truth? It stays with you.
August 6, 2025
This book explores themes of domestic violence, terrorism, and pedophilia.
It contains graphic scenes of violence.
When I first started this book, I was concerned about the writing style, but I came around after about four chapters.
The story follows three children Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed who each had to bear the brunt of terrorism.
Deborah grew up in an abusive home.
Stephanie suffered from parental neglect.
Ahmed was ostracized from a home he had known all his life because of an abomination he committed.
I love that this story was told from a child’s point of view and the way their stories merged at the end, brilliant!
It’s such a powerful read,it kept me longing for more. As a debut novel, I’m truly impressed. Kudos to the author, Jesudubami Jemima Aganaba, for this beautiful masterpiece.
It contains graphic scenes of violence.
When I first started this book, I was concerned about the writing style, but I came around after about four chapters.
The story follows three children Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed who each had to bear the brunt of terrorism.
Deborah grew up in an abusive home.
Stephanie suffered from parental neglect.
Ahmed was ostracized from a home he had known all his life because of an abomination he committed.
I love that this story was told from a child’s point of view and the way their stories merged at the end, brilliant!
It’s such a powerful read,it kept me longing for more. As a debut novel, I’m truly impressed. Kudos to the author, Jesudubami Jemima Aganaba, for this beautiful masterpiece.
October 11, 2025
This was such a profound yet sad book 😔. I feel like it did slow down a bit when it got to Stephanie’s part but I still enjoyed it. I wish the ending was longer tho because I want to know what happens after that????
December 30, 2025
Big Small People by Jesudubami Jemima Aganaba starts off light-hearted, but slowly reveals harsher realities. Told through the eyes of three children, it exposes the everyday impact of terrorism, showing how it cuts across society.
January 3, 2026
An insane storyteller (complimentary). I was moved to my core. To be young in a beast of a country, to be helpless, to be invincible. North, east, all over. A heartbreaking story and my first time reading the perspective of a boy turned weapon begrudgingly. Finished in just hours.
June 10, 2025
this was such a sad sad book....that still found a way to tug at the strings of my heart
December 11, 2025
There are lots of things, as humans, we are limited to. For instance, we can’t decide the family we want to be born into, nor the exact day we want to die. Those things aren’t up to us. But what is up to us is how we choose to live. Whether we decide to be good or bad. That choice? That’s all yours.
This lead me to this novel that follows three young children. Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed, whose lives are shaped by forces entirely beyond their control:
Deborah: Dealing with an abusive father who wants a male child from her mother.
Stephanie: Daughter of a politician who seems to have it all on the surface, but all that glitters is not gold.
Ahmed: Turns to Faajri (Sinner) after committing a sin at home.
Through their stories, the author offers an intimate and honest look at childhood disrupted by terror and trauma, yet still marked by resilience and hope.
I had a good time reading this book. The first part made me laugh so much that my cheeks hurt from too much laughing. God! there's no way you will not love Deborah and her sharp mouth😂
While I resonated deeply with Stephanie’s story, it felt a bit slow at times. Ahmed’s story was the most touching—very vivid and nostalgic. It reminded me of Dantala’s story in Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John.
The way the author connected the lives of these three children at the end was absolutely incredible. The last part had me shedding tears. I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt a drop on the page I was reading. (Sounds cliche yeah I know)
The writing was written in both broken english and proper english which i enjoyed so much. I hope moving forward we get more stories tell from children’s perspectives.
This lead me to this novel that follows three young children. Deborah, Stephanie, and Ahmed, whose lives are shaped by forces entirely beyond their control:
Deborah: Dealing with an abusive father who wants a male child from her mother.
Stephanie: Daughter of a politician who seems to have it all on the surface, but all that glitters is not gold.
Ahmed: Turns to Faajri (Sinner) after committing a sin at home.
Through their stories, the author offers an intimate and honest look at childhood disrupted by terror and trauma, yet still marked by resilience and hope.
I had a good time reading this book. The first part made me laugh so much that my cheeks hurt from too much laughing. God! there's no way you will not love Deborah and her sharp mouth😂
While I resonated deeply with Stephanie’s story, it felt a bit slow at times. Ahmed’s story was the most touching—very vivid and nostalgic. It reminded me of Dantala’s story in Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John.
The way the author connected the lives of these three children at the end was absolutely incredible. The last part had me shedding tears. I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt a drop on the page I was reading. (Sounds cliche yeah I know)
The writing was written in both broken english and proper english which i enjoyed so much. I hope moving forward we get more stories tell from children’s perspectives.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews