No Laughter Here

by Rita Williams-Garcia

Even though they were born in different countries, Akilah and Victoria are true best friends. But Victoria has been acting strange ever since she returned from her summer in Nigeria, where she had a special coming-of-age ceremony. Why does proud Victoria, named for a queen, slouch at her desk and answer the teacher's questions in a whisper? And why won't she laugh with Akilah anymore? Akilah's name means "intelligent," and she is determined to find out what's wrong, no matter how much detective work she has to do. But when she learns the terrible secret Victoria is hiding, she suddenly has even more questions. The only problem is, they might not be the kind that have answers.

In this groundbreaking novel, Coretta Scott King Honor winner Rita Williams-Garcia uses her vividly realistic voice to explore an often taboo practice that affects millions of girls around the world every year. Readers will identify with headstrong, outspoken Akilah, whose struggle to understand what's happened to Victoria reveals a painful truth in an honest and accessible way.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Africa, Teen, Middle Grade, Friendship

133 pages, Hardcover

First published December 23, 2003

About the author

"I was born in Queens, N.Y, on April 13, 1957. My mother, Miss Essie, named me 'NoMo' immediately after my birth. Although I was her last child, I took my time making my appearance. I like to believe I was dreaming up a good story and wouldn’t budge until I was finished. Even now, my daughters call me 'Pokey Mom', because I slow poke around when they want to go-go-go.

"I learned to read early, and was aware of events going on as I grew up in the 60s. In the midst of real events, I daydreamed and wrote stories. Writing stories for young people is my passion and my mission. Teens will read. They hunger for stories that engage them and reflect their images and experiences."

Author of four award winning novels, Rita Williams-Garcia continues to break new ground in young people's literature. Known for their realistic portrayal of teens of color, Williams-Garcia's works have been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, PEN Norma Klein, American Library Association, and Parents' Choice, among others. She recently served on the National Book Award Committee for Young People's Literature and is on faculty at Vermont College MFA Writing for Children and Young People.

Reviews

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the creativity of all the characters, but especially Akilah and her "girl warrior" attitude! She reminds me of one of my students. I also truly enjoyed how up-to-date the book was with surfing on the Internet, having an international student population, instant messaging, etc. It provided a realistic contrast to what many believe is not modern – female genital mutilation. Williams-Garcia approaches this topic with honesty, but in a delicate way. I also really liked Ms. Saunders, the teacher, who encourages Akilah to be the person she knows she is. The teacher's faith in Akilah shows the positive influence that teachers can have, especially when they truly know their students. Another topic that is broached is friendship and I think the author's idea of a difference between a "best friend" and a "true friend" is important for girls in this age group. The book says it is intended for grades 7 and up and I assume that is more for the content than the readability.

[Liralen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Williams-Garcia is hitting a hell of a hard combination of topic and age range here. In No Laughter Here, Akilah's best friend Victoria comes home from a summer trip to Nigeria—where Victoria's family is from—different. She's silent. She no longer runs and plays; she no longer talks to Akilah, and Akilah doesn't know why.

A ten-year-old protagonist isn't typical for YA lit, but female genital cutting isn't a typical topic for middle-grade books. In my local libraries, this is shelved in YA—topic overriding age, I guess. In terms of topic, it's well done. By having Akilah rather than Victoria be the protagonist and POV character, there's room for the reader to learn about FGC without it being too visceral for younger readers. There's also a good balance of perspective: while FGC is never presented as a positive thing, the adult characters of the book are also able to explain to Akilah why, in some cultures, it has persevered.

While I don't think this so much calls for a sequel, it does raise questions of what life is going to be like for Victoria in particular in, say, five or ten years. She's strong, maybe more 'girl warrior' than Akilah. But oof.

[Lindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good introduction to the concept of female genital mutilation. 10-year-old Akilah has been waiting and waiting for her true friend Victoria to return from a summer with family in Nigeria, and is mystified at her behavior when she does finally come home. Slowly the truth about the special coming-of-age ceremony that Victoria was so excited about is revealed and Akilah is shocked and supportive of her friend. No easy answers here, just thoughtful discussion about what it measns to be a true friend.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, author deals with a difficult topic in a way that is accessible to young readers. Ten-year-old Akilah misses her best friend, Victoria who is away in Nigeria with her family for the summer. Then Victoria returns and she is no longer the same; something terrible (yet traditional in some African countries) happened to her while she was away. Will Akilah be able to reconnect with Victoria? Will Victoria ever share her secret?
This is beautiful story. Rita Williams-Garcia's writing reminds of Jacqueline Woodson's. One of Woodson's books, Last Summer with Maizon is even mentioned as a book that is being read by Akilah.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about female circumcision of young 10 year old girl from Nigeria. Williams-Garcia does a wonderful job in presenting the book such that young readers can understand it without the visual horrors of this act.

[nidsbebooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was as young as 12 and it was my introduction to the cruelty women around the world suffer in unimaginable ways. Years later, it sticks with me and creeps into my mind & soul in flashes of a tragic reminder that culturally centered violent practices are very much alive today, just not ever brought to the spotlight. I reread it again recently and it affected me just as hard as it did at the age of 12. Heartbreaking but absolutely necessary read for young adults.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

while this book was short, it was informative..and heavy. I learned a lot, more than I thought I would.

[Mary Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so different from Williams-Garcia’s other books. From her afterword, it is clear that the author feels passionate about exposing the practice of the genital mutilation of young girls, a common practice in Africa that has come with immigrants to the U.S. and Canada. Ten-year-old Akilah is confounded by the changes in her friend Victoria when the latter returns from a visit to her family’s Nigerian homeland and is then appealed to learn of the ritual disfigurement that Victoria has endured.

At one point, Akilah reflects on the word “ambivalent” in connection to her reaction to her mother’s actions upon learning of Victoria’s circumcision. I also feel ambivalent about the coverage of this topic in a book for middle grade readers. I suppose that making the central characters any older would stretch credulity since, we are informed in the afterword, the practice actually occurs to girls of age eight. I’ve actually had this checked out and sitting on a shelf at my house for,two,years, so I’m glad I did get around to reading it and will be returning it to my middle school library. But it’s a pretty tough book to promote and I’m not sure whether readers will find it on their own. Interesting.

[Salsabrarian]

Akilah's best friend Victoria returns after a long family trip to Nigeria, her native land. But Victoria has changed. She hardly speaks, doesn't smile or laugh, and she sits apart from the other kids at recess. Akilah tries her best to draw Victoria out. Then Victoria finally tells Akilah how her mother and aunts took here to a doctor in Nigeria who cut out her "raisin" to "stop the feeling," a customary surgery performed on all proper Nigerian girls. Akilah promises to keep Victoria's secret but her mother figures it out. Her mother's outrage to right a wrong inspires Akilah and Victoria to write and online letter to girls everywhere explaining the atrocity of the practice.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a nice quick read. Once I started, it was hard to put this book down. What a time to read a story about FGM with the recent overturning of Roe vs Wade. Really sad to read about how young girls, I’m sure still to this day, are going through this custom. Being an American girl, I don’t completely understand the reasoning behind this, but I appreciated Akilah’s teacher trying to get her to see the other side. Great read.

[Casondra Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. FGM is catastrophic. It destroys so many lives. This author did a beautiful job of teaching about it from an American perspective. I loved the relationship between the girls.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book.
I wanted to throw it across the room no less than a dozen times in anger.
Beautifully and heartbreakingly written.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. Had my attention from start to finish. Going into this book, i wouldnt have even guessed what Victoria’s secret was. When i found out, i was sooo shocked. How can someone do this to little girls in Africa? 🥴 I dont want to say too much or reveal the secret but im so mad that Victoria didnt have a voice and wasnt able to make that decision herself. Her mother, aunts and grandmothers should be ashamed of themselves.

Knocked off one star because the book was too short and also felt like there was no solution at the end, other than them writing a blog about what happened to Victoria. I would love to read a sequel about how the blog helped Victoria with her situation and if it helped other little girls like her.

[Tiffany Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

My feelings are complicated about this book. I didn’t seek this book out, it was on a shelf next to where my kids were playing at the library and I read it to pass the time.

Part of me wonders how this can be a “Young Adult” book-it’s so violent! But then I think, how can they still be perpetuating this violence to little 7 year olds?!?? I have a 7 year old and this makes me ill. How am I 32 and just now educating myself about this?!

5 stars because the author did such an amazing job with this, but how can I recommend this to others?! Then again, how can I not when “not talking about it” has allowed this to continue for so long?

[Mona Grant-Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching and Real

This adolescent novels tackles an adult topic with heart and sincerity. American born Akilah and Nigerian born Victoria are best friends, living in the Bronx and sharing everything. Victoria and her family go to Nigeria for the summer. When they return, Victoria is quiet and withdrawn. Akilah doesn't understand the change in her friend, but Akilah remains steadfastly by Victoria. Victoria finally shares her secret with Akilah and swears her to secrecy. Can the secret remain between the two of them?

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read like middle grade to me, but even the publisher categorizes the novel as young adult. Williams-Garcia deftly handled the tough subject matter of female genital cutting and made it accessible to the audience (either upper middle grade/lower YA readers). Regardless of the novel's target audience, I wished anatomically correct terms had been used to describe female genitalia. I appreciated that Williams-Garcia described some of the sociocultural factors involved in the coming-of-age ritual.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book just on a whim and I'm glad I did. Really a fantastic little book. A much needed subject matter book (FGM)- not only does it cover an important topic, but the characters are really great. I loved Akilah a lot! Her sass, attitude, and convictions were really great. Her dedication to her friend at such a young age was really touching. And I loved seeing her interact with the adults in her life. The author also did a great job handling the topic of FGM in the story with the characters.

Overall, a really great book that I would recommend to anyone to read!

[Speetah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As quick of a read as it is, this book had me feeling feelings I didn't think were possible in a YA novel. I loved the "girl warrior" narrator, Akilah's unwavering faithfulness to her BFF Victoria. And the way that Rita Williams-Garcia wrote the dialogue made me feel like I could here exactly what each character was saying. It is the kind of book that a middle-schooler needs to be prepared for, but I would absolutely recommend it to my students.

[Melody Loomis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book about a very sad subject matter. Even though it is a work of fiction, this kind of thing still happens. I thought it was appropriate that the book was told from the POV of the friend of the girl this happened to, rather than from Victoria herself. It’s such a sensitive subject matter, but I thought the author did a great job in presenting it in a way that kids could understand.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talks about an important subject, female circumcision. It's a hard subject to talk about or understand for most young people. This is a great way to open up that conversation but it can't end with this book. I strongly recommend that this book is not read alone by a youth but instead with a parent or educator. That way, they can talk about it together and learn more together.

I detract points because I didn't honestly enjoy the book. As an adult reader, I found the immaturity of the characters to be very frustrating. I'd be curious to know what a young person would think of this. I think the writing style is very geared towards elementary and middle school readers. The subject matter is one that usually would not be approached with those age groups. K think it should be though which is why I'd recommend for a child and adult to read this together.

I also wish that the author included additional resources in the book so that readers would have somewhere to go to learn more. I didn't feel like she conveyed much factual information within the book so readers are left to do that on their own. Perhaps other editions of the book have these resources listed but mine did not.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I also found the "girl warrior" aspect of the book to be tedious and annoying. We never saw "girl warrior" actually something that was helpful or brave. Instead, it became a way to fuel the trend of bad behavior or entitlement that some of the characters displayed. Obviously this is somewhat intentional on the author's part as gender and the disparity of treatment between genders is a key focal point of the story.

I also was disappointed with the lack of resolution in the story. Nothing seemed to actually become right again by the end of the book. In my opinion, the book lacked hope and encouragement.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read a book geared towards young readers that addressed the horrific practice of female circumsicion (FGM). The author approaches the topic with great sensitivity and empathy. Even though Akilah was the sole storyteller in this book, I do wish there were some chapters based on Victoria’s point of view.

[MaryJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a comfortable, happy ever (never) after event -- and difficult to imagine or fathom, but the author did a brilliant job of telling parts of this global story.

And left her readers knowing of a wrong being committed -- and my hope that telling the stories will lead to eradication of a tragedy and robbery of women's rights and power.

[Shylah Kobal · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Laughter Here tackles and intense subject in a way that is appropriate for the target audience. It is a well-written quick read. I'm struggling a little with the idea of at what age I would want/allow my daughter to read it, but she is already older than the girls to which this tragedy happens.

[Lilly Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

This book tactfully covers a difficult and little discussed topic, one that I didn't learn about until college. It may be written like middle grade, but the subject matter is young adult. It's the kind of book that you should read with your child and talk about together.

[Deviki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books I've read and provided detailed reviews over the years but all data is lost after accidental deletion and GD refuse to restore it back.

Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes

[Sherry Hession · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of inseparable friends after one of them travels to Africa and is genitally mutilated (without her knowledge that it was going to happen).

[Shatika Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was informative, to say the least. I would have loved to know at least how the girls were a voice and change.

[Lillian Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a book on this subject before or by this author. It really made think about how different cultures view things.

[shani p ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartbreaking and important, middle grade broaching such a painful topic ~ 10/10

[Andrea Trenary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this in a blind date with a book.