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Crossing the Stream
Ato hasn’t visited his grandmother’s house since he was seven. He’s heard the rumors that she’s a witch, and his mother has told him he must never sit on the old couch on her porch. Now here he is, on that exact couch, with a strange-looking drink his grandmother has given him, wondering if the rumors are true. What’s more, there’s a freshly dug hole in her yard that Ato suspects may be a grave meant for him.
Meanwhile at school, Ato and his friends have entered a competition to win entry to Nnoma, the island bird sanctuary that Ato’s father helped created. But something is poisoning the community garden where their project is housed, and Ato sets out to track down the culprit. In doing so, he brings his estranged mother and grandmother back together, and begins healing the wounds left on the family by his father’s death years before.
And that hole in the yard? It is a grave, but not for the purpose Ato feared, and its use brings a tender, celebratory ending to this deeply felt and universal story of healing and love from one of Ghana’s most admired children’s book authors.
Meanwhile at school, Ato and his friends have entered a competition to win entry to Nnoma, the island bird sanctuary that Ato’s father helped created. But something is poisoning the community garden where their project is housed, and Ato sets out to track down the culprit. In doing so, he brings his estranged mother and grandmother back together, and begins healing the wounds left on the family by his father’s death years before.
And that hole in the yard? It is a grave, but not for the purpose Ato feared, and its use brings a tender, celebratory ending to this deeply felt and universal story of healing and love from one of Ghana’s most admired children’s book authors.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published June 8, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 30, 2021
I've been actively pursuing stories set outside of the United States. Thank you to Irene Latham for recommending this excellent layered mystery set in Ghana!
June 10, 2021
Crossing the Stream by Elizabeth-Irene Baitie is a fascinating book for young readers, an adventure crammed with captivating characters. The story opens with 12-year old Ato and his friends hoping to win a competition that will allow them to visit Nnoma, a bird island that Ato's father helped build before his death. Ato also hears whispers about his grandmother being a witch. When something starts poisoning the community garden, Ato together with his friends fight this. In so doing, they successfully accomplish their goals and unearth answers to mysteries about Ato’s father’s death and the truth about his Nana.
The author creates a protagonist who is an ordinary boy – genuinely flawed and likable. I loved the way his world is imagined and developed, with friends like Dzifa and Leslie interacting with him in an environment that seems normal for children their age. The author introduces readers to Africa’s plants and animal species, a fascinating environment that absorbs the reader. Minor characters are well-developed and in her descriptive style of writing, the author brings out the smallest emotions in the characters. Ato grows as the conflict intensifies. Elizabeth-Irene Baitie’s writing is crystalline and the vocabulary is suitable for the intended audience. Whether describing Ato’s experience in grandmother’s house, the competition to win entry to Nnoma, or the confrontation with other characters, the author does so with unusual clarity and vividness. In my opinion, children’s books should be filled with entertainment, moral values and knowledge: those story characteristics are all present in this book.
I enjoyed Crossing the Stream very much, and feel Elizabeth-Irene has done a great job crafting a unique plot and interesting characters for children. Readers will find themselves plunging into the story from page one. I look forward to seeing what the very inventive author Elizabeth-Irene Baitie, next has in store for her readers!
The author creates a protagonist who is an ordinary boy – genuinely flawed and likable. I loved the way his world is imagined and developed, with friends like Dzifa and Leslie interacting with him in an environment that seems normal for children their age. The author introduces readers to Africa’s plants and animal species, a fascinating environment that absorbs the reader. Minor characters are well-developed and in her descriptive style of writing, the author brings out the smallest emotions in the characters. Ato grows as the conflict intensifies. Elizabeth-Irene Baitie’s writing is crystalline and the vocabulary is suitable for the intended audience. Whether describing Ato’s experience in grandmother’s house, the competition to win entry to Nnoma, or the confrontation with other characters, the author does so with unusual clarity and vividness. In my opinion, children’s books should be filled with entertainment, moral values and knowledge: those story characteristics are all present in this book.
I enjoyed Crossing the Stream very much, and feel Elizabeth-Irene has done a great job crafting a unique plot and interesting characters for children. Readers will find themselves plunging into the story from page one. I look forward to seeing what the very inventive author Elizabeth-Irene Baitie, next has in store for her readers!
June 15, 2021
Crossing The Stream is a story about traversing boundaries, breaking trust, building friendships, facing betrayal, and embracing courage. And while these may primarily reflect adult characters, the story’s three starring characters are children, whose friendship leads them through a path that shakes their families to the core and threatens to tear them apart. The plot focuses on Ato, determined to visit Nnoma and meet his father’s expectations of him, but requires to engage in a project with his friends to be selected as a participant. However, it turns out that Prophet Yakayaka, famously known for helping children at his Agoro facility is not really who his trusted followers think he is, and there is more to it than meets the eye. With the newfound courage and determination that Ato gains from his interactions with Nana, he mobilizes Dzifa and Leslie into a full-force undercover investigation about the Prophet and ultimately leaks their findings to the Maxmilian reporter. A revelation so deep, so uneasy, that the whole town is shocked, and everything seems to come to a stop.
August 28, 2023
A beautiful story of a boy in Ghana and how he brings the shards of his history back together with courage and heart. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
Baitie captures the setting wonderfully - I’ve been making an effort to read more MG books set in Africa, where I’m from, and this one didn’t disappoint. It struck a great balance between teaching the reader new things and making them long to find out more while at the same time being accessible enough to engage young readers. This accessibility, the way it connects to your heartstrings, is tied to the themes of this novel and how skilfully Baitie weaves them through the story. We see, and feel, how Ato (our main character) is shaped by his family, community, and the environment, and how his courage and determination manage to help all three of those, with a mystery… that’s not really the focus of the story and more a vessel from which to explore its themes while making the plot engaging. A lovely concept, one that I haven’t seen used too often in MG, and executed perfectly.
Pick this up if you’re looking for a heartfelt but not extremely heavy MG novel in a setting that will be unfamiliar and engaging to most readers, a novel that will reach out to you with its brave, vivid characters, who use their values and friendships to fight to make their community a better place. A lot of lessons to be learnt from this one, but it doesn’t preach them- it whispers, asks us to listen, and I think you’ll find that, like me, you’ll want to keep your ears wide open.
Baitie captures the setting wonderfully - I’ve been making an effort to read more MG books set in Africa, where I’m from, and this one didn’t disappoint. It struck a great balance between teaching the reader new things and making them long to find out more while at the same time being accessible enough to engage young readers. This accessibility, the way it connects to your heartstrings, is tied to the themes of this novel and how skilfully Baitie weaves them through the story. We see, and feel, how Ato (our main character) is shaped by his family, community, and the environment, and how his courage and determination manage to help all three of those, with a mystery… that’s not really the focus of the story and more a vessel from which to explore its themes while making the plot engaging. A lovely concept, one that I haven’t seen used too often in MG, and executed perfectly.
Pick this up if you’re looking for a heartfelt but not extremely heavy MG novel in a setting that will be unfamiliar and engaging to most readers, a novel that will reach out to you with its brave, vivid characters, who use their values and friendships to fight to make their community a better place. A lot of lessons to be learnt from this one, but it doesn’t preach them- it whispers, asks us to listen, and I think you’ll find that, like me, you’ll want to keep your ears wide open.
June 13, 2021
I picked up this book really liking the cover (you know what they say about that), BUT -
I have been enjoying this sweet middle school aged novel. Though I am no longer a middle schooler, I sometimes browse content that will be consumed by the younger generation out of curiosity, being in the business of childcare. I’m honestly really glad I did because this is exactly the type of book I would want my children to read.
The characters are relatable, yet more importantly, most of these characters are intrinsically kind. A value is so vital for the children of the next generation to integrate.
My favorite thing about this book is that it teaches kids that that though our Earth is in danger and society NEEDS to change, even children can make a difference. I love empowering content like that. Let’s empower our future!!
Such a sweet book!
I have been enjoying this sweet middle school aged novel. Though I am no longer a middle schooler, I sometimes browse content that will be consumed by the younger generation out of curiosity, being in the business of childcare. I’m honestly really glad I did because this is exactly the type of book I would want my children to read.
The characters are relatable, yet more importantly, most of these characters are intrinsically kind. A value is so vital for the children of the next generation to integrate.
My favorite thing about this book is that it teaches kids that that though our Earth is in danger and society NEEDS to change, even children can make a difference. I love empowering content like that. Let’s empower our future!!
Such a sweet book!
August 20, 2021
Wow, this one really grew on me as I read it. Powerful.
May 8, 2021
I read this on NetGalley, and it was a lovely story from a celebrated author out of Ghana, Elizabeth Irene-Baitie.
Ato is a young boy whose father died when he was quite young. His father is held up, both in Ato's own mind and by Ato's mother, a woman with her own wounds inflicted by the death of her husband.
Ato's father was instrumental in helping complete a beautiful island bird sanctuary called Nnoma, and the story begins with Ato and his friends Dzifa and Leslie starting a vegetable patch using an organic pesticide made by Ato's Nana. They are under near-constant scrutiny from the volatile and smarmy Prophet Yakayaka, who runs the Church of Fire nearby and has Ato's and Leslie's respective mothers completely under his charm.
The story follows Ato and his friends as they set about seeing their project through, finding out the truth about Prophet Yakayaka, and Ato's own journey to learn more about his father as his mother reluctantly lets Nana see Ato every weekend.
I believe this book would be very enjoyable for the middle grades readers it is aimed at; the plot moves along very nicely with just enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers guessing. As an adult reader, I saw a lot of the plot twists coming, but recalling my reading in younger days, I know I would have been delightfully surprised by the twists in the story.
Ms. Irene-Baite writes in a lovely, simple style that middle grades readers will enjoy, and indeed, I did, as well. Another bonus to this story is that while it is largely about a boy character, his friend Dzifa is portrayed as a smart and capable girl who is level-headed in tricky situations.
While I would not use this book in my own classroom because it doesn't go with my subject matter, I would recommend it to my students as reading for their own pleasure.
Ato is a young boy whose father died when he was quite young. His father is held up, both in Ato's own mind and by Ato's mother, a woman with her own wounds inflicted by the death of her husband.
Ato's father was instrumental in helping complete a beautiful island bird sanctuary called Nnoma, and the story begins with Ato and his friends Dzifa and Leslie starting a vegetable patch using an organic pesticide made by Ato's Nana. They are under near-constant scrutiny from the volatile and smarmy Prophet Yakayaka, who runs the Church of Fire nearby and has Ato's and Leslie's respective mothers completely under his charm.
The story follows Ato and his friends as they set about seeing their project through, finding out the truth about Prophet Yakayaka, and Ato's own journey to learn more about his father as his mother reluctantly lets Nana see Ato every weekend.
I believe this book would be very enjoyable for the middle grades readers it is aimed at; the plot moves along very nicely with just enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers guessing. As an adult reader, I saw a lot of the plot twists coming, but recalling my reading in younger days, I know I would have been delightfully surprised by the twists in the story.
Ms. Irene-Baite writes in a lovely, simple style that middle grades readers will enjoy, and indeed, I did, as well. Another bonus to this story is that while it is largely about a boy character, his friend Dzifa is portrayed as a smart and capable girl who is level-headed in tricky situations.
While I would not use this book in my own classroom because it doesn't go with my subject matter, I would recommend it to my students as reading for their own pleasure.
July 25, 2021
I want to start by saying that I really wanted to like this novel. I also want to say that there was some beautiful writing in the book, and the characters were interesting, so it deserves a read.
My issues with the text mainly come from structure, word choice, and setting. There were various points in the novel where the scene changed without a heads up that something was taking place at a different point in the day. I also didn’t know where the story was set until about a fourth of the way through the book. I’m not familiar with this author’s other work, so maybe that’s just something her fans would already know, but for new readers, it can be confusing. A small sentence about the setting or scene changes would help orient readers a bit. Additionally, there were several word choices in terms of metaphor and symbol that didn’t work well (e.g., Leslie was rigid, and to describe it, the author writes, “he looked as though his front teeth were clamped on a dead roach.”). The last one is more personal, but I wasn’t a fan of the recurring bird metaphor either. I love a good extended metaphor, but I think where/how those metaphors are brought back into the text matter. When it’s spread throughout numerous chapters so overtly and sometimes randomly, it loses its luster.
But, like I said, there’s good stuff in there, too. The plot is interesting enough; the characters are developed well; and the internal lessons could make for great discussion.
My issues with the text mainly come from structure, word choice, and setting. There were various points in the novel where the scene changed without a heads up that something was taking place at a different point in the day. I also didn’t know where the story was set until about a fourth of the way through the book. I’m not familiar with this author’s other work, so maybe that’s just something her fans would already know, but for new readers, it can be confusing. A small sentence about the setting or scene changes would help orient readers a bit. Additionally, there were several word choices in terms of metaphor and symbol that didn’t work well (e.g., Leslie was rigid, and to describe it, the author writes, “he looked as though his front teeth were clamped on a dead roach.”). The last one is more personal, but I wasn’t a fan of the recurring bird metaphor either. I love a good extended metaphor, but I think where/how those metaphors are brought back into the text matter. When it’s spread throughout numerous chapters so overtly and sometimes randomly, it loses its luster.
But, like I said, there’s good stuff in there, too. The plot is interesting enough; the characters are developed well; and the internal lessons could make for great discussion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2021
Ato wants to be like his deceased father, the man who helped to create the bird paradise of Nnoma. Unfortunately, Nnoma's been closed to the public for years. But this year, Nnoma is sponsoring a competition for students. With his friends Leslie and Dzifa, Ato begins growing vegetables with organic pesticides on a piece of land near the Prophet Yakayaka's local church. Ato is encouraged by the vegetables' progress until a mysterious blight hits the area. The Prophet tells the locals that an evil spirit is wreaking havoc and discourages Ato from completing his project.
But Ato isn't giving up that easily. When his mother—listening to Prophet Yakayaka's warning—tells Ato to quit, Ato quietly begins investigating the blight and uncovers much more than he bargained for. With the help of Nana and her wise words and his friends Leslie and Dzifa, Ato must find the courage to do the right thing, even when it's hard.
It's more than a little difficult to find middle-grade books set in other countries that have authentic voice. Crossing the Stream is one of those rare books, set entirely in Ghana. Readers will appreciate learning about Ato's food, culture, and worldview, and his story his highly readable, if a little predictable. Elizabeth Irene-Baitie knows how to tell a story. If you're looking for a middle-grade that's different than anything you've read before, this is your book.
Thanks to Norton Young Readers for the reader's copy!
But Ato isn't giving up that easily. When his mother—listening to Prophet Yakayaka's warning—tells Ato to quit, Ato quietly begins investigating the blight and uncovers much more than he bargained for. With the help of Nana and her wise words and his friends Leslie and Dzifa, Ato must find the courage to do the right thing, even when it's hard.
It's more than a little difficult to find middle-grade books set in other countries that have authentic voice. Crossing the Stream is one of those rare books, set entirely in Ghana. Readers will appreciate learning about Ato's food, culture, and worldview, and his story his highly readable, if a little predictable. Elizabeth Irene-Baitie knows how to tell a story. If you're looking for a middle-grade that's different than anything you've read before, this is your book.
Thanks to Norton Young Readers for the reader's copy!
June 14, 2021
Thought it was lighthearted enough to read anywhere, but still intricate enough to keep me reading as I enjoyed the sense of an incoming conflict. Also well constructed such that even though it's for middle grade readers it can be enjoyed by anyone.
July 11, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ato's Mum runs a small shop in Ghana, and the two make ends meet despite the fact that his father when died he was young. He hasn't spent much time with his grandmother, but when Nana wants him to visit every weekend, Mum allows this, but forbids Ato from sitting on the sofa on the porch. Ato is a bit afraid at first, because Nana is whispered to be a witch, but the two end up getting along well. This is good, because Mum is increasingly in thrall to Prophet Yakayaka and his House of Fire ministry, and thinks that Ato might be misbehaving because of evil spiritual influences. Meanwhile, Ato and his friends are working on a project for school. They hope to win a competition that would allow them to visit Nnoma, a bird island that Ato's father helped with before his death. the island has been closed to outsiders for a number of years, so Ato and his friends, with the help of Papa Kojo, work on growing vegetables with organic pesticides. When visiting Nana, Ato hears the story of BB and his mother. BB lived in the nicer neighborhood of Tamarind Village, but made friends with several Zongo children from across a polluted stream that ran between the two locations. His mother didn't trust these children, and didn't want BB to hang out with them. As Ato and his friends work on their gardening project, they also find out more about Prophet Yakayaka and the benefits he is having to raise money for children in Agoro, and befriend a dog they call Choco. When Ato, Leslie, and Dzifa find out about the conditions in Agoro, they try to tell the adults around them about what the prophet is doing. Ato finds out more information about his father, and is instrumental in uncovering evidence about the Prophet's schemes.
Strengths: Baitie is a Ghanaian writer who has written a number of Young Adult books, so it's great to see her turn her hand to middle grade. I have looked for years for books set in other countries and written by writers who live there, and since I've had a fair number of Ghanaian students over the years, I was so excited to hear about this one! It's interesting to see details about Ato's every day life (he and his mother have a woman who cleans for them) and his interactions with his friends. His grandmother's stories show a lot of social awareness and changing attitudes. The Prophet and his hold on Mum was fascinating, and the investigative journalism that reveals his true purpose was a good inclusion.
Weaknesses: I was expecting the plot to be more about the bird island and the father's role in that, but enjoyed the turn this took to focus on the Prophet. There is a senseless death of a dog, if you are handing this to tender readers.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and will be a great addition to a small but growing number of titles set in African countries, such as Krone's Small Mercies, Okorafor's Ikenga, or Nwaubani's Under the Baobab Tree or Warman's The World Beneath.
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Ato's Mum runs a small shop in Ghana, and the two make ends meet despite the fact that his father when died he was young. He hasn't spent much time with his grandmother, but when Nana wants him to visit every weekend, Mum allows this, but forbids Ato from sitting on the sofa on the porch. Ato is a bit afraid at first, because Nana is whispered to be a witch, but the two end up getting along well. This is good, because Mum is increasingly in thrall to Prophet Yakayaka and his House of Fire ministry, and thinks that Ato might be misbehaving because of evil spiritual influences. Meanwhile, Ato and his friends are working on a project for school. They hope to win a competition that would allow them to visit Nnoma, a bird island that Ato's father helped with before his death. the island has been closed to outsiders for a number of years, so Ato and his friends, with the help of Papa Kojo, work on growing vegetables with organic pesticides. When visiting Nana, Ato hears the story of BB and his mother. BB lived in the nicer neighborhood of Tamarind Village, but made friends with several Zongo children from across a polluted stream that ran between the two locations. His mother didn't trust these children, and didn't want BB to hang out with them. As Ato and his friends work on their gardening project, they also find out more about Prophet Yakayaka and the benefits he is having to raise money for children in Agoro, and befriend a dog they call Choco. When Ato, Leslie, and Dzifa find out about the conditions in Agoro, they try to tell the adults around them about what the prophet is doing. Ato finds out more information about his father, and is instrumental in uncovering evidence about the Prophet's schemes.
Strengths: Baitie is a Ghanaian writer who has written a number of Young Adult books, so it's great to see her turn her hand to middle grade. I have looked for years for books set in other countries and written by writers who live there, and since I've had a fair number of Ghanaian students over the years, I was so excited to hear about this one! It's interesting to see details about Ato's every day life (he and his mother have a woman who cleans for them) and his interactions with his friends. His grandmother's stories show a lot of social awareness and changing attitudes. The Prophet and his hold on Mum was fascinating, and the investigative journalism that reveals his true purpose was a good inclusion.
Weaknesses: I was expecting the plot to be more about the bird island and the father's role in that, but enjoyed the turn this took to focus on the Prophet. There is a senseless death of a dog, if you are handing this to tender readers.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and will be a great addition to a small but growing number of titles set in African countries, such as Krone's Small Mercies, Okorafor's Ikenga, or Nwaubani's Under the Baobab Tree or Warman's The World Beneath.
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November 19, 2023
Thank you to the Cassava Republic for sending me this book to read and review. It was most definitely an interesting read, I don’t think I would have crossed paths with this book had it not been gifted to me.
I wanted to like this book, the initial concept was captivating and there were some beautiful moments, but overall the book was very mediocre and lacked enough substance to engage and interest a reader.
The structure of the book was all over the place, the word choices at times didn’t align with the story or the supposed target audience. At times the book was overly descriptive and not engaging, the characters were bland and not interesting enough, and it was a boring story. I kept waiting for the WOW moment and it never came. The pace of the novel was quite stagnant, I'm not familiar with this author's other work, so maybe that's just something her fans would already know, but for new readers, it can be confusing.
I most certainly wasn't a fan of the recurring bird metaphor either. I usually love a good extended metaphor, but I think where/how those metaphors are brought back into the text matter. When it's spread throughout numerous chapters so overtly and sometimes randomly, it loses its lustre.
I wouldn’t recommend this book.
I wanted to like this book, the initial concept was captivating and there were some beautiful moments, but overall the book was very mediocre and lacked enough substance to engage and interest a reader.
The structure of the book was all over the place, the word choices at times didn’t align with the story or the supposed target audience. At times the book was overly descriptive and not engaging, the characters were bland and not interesting enough, and it was a boring story. I kept waiting for the WOW moment and it never came. The pace of the novel was quite stagnant, I'm not familiar with this author's other work, so maybe that's just something her fans would already know, but for new readers, it can be confusing.
I most certainly wasn't a fan of the recurring bird metaphor either. I usually love a good extended metaphor, but I think where/how those metaphors are brought back into the text matter. When it's spread throughout numerous chapters so overtly and sometimes randomly, it loses its lustre.
I wouldn’t recommend this book.
August 15, 2025
An underrated choice for middle grade fiction set in an authentically African context. Ghanaian author Baitie creates a rich and vivid world with memorable, multidimensional characters and an intriguing adventure that kept me turning the pages.
Some caveats: Some themes are potentially meaningful (his fear of not living up to his father's expectations) but spelled out more overtly than necessary, spoiling the effect. The sections of imagining himself as a bird of prey got a bit boring after a while. And I'm not a huge fan of all the lying, scheming, and sneaking out that enable the kids to become heroes in the end.
Note also that while the book features traditional belief in spirits and magic, as well as its Christian counterpart in the charismatic exorcist preacher - neither are treated as reality within the narrative. The only endorsed talk of spirits is in a metaphorical sense "you have the spirit of courage in you". While the story takes place in a thoroughly African setting, the themes of the story are strangely in line with western Disney-esque ideology - where the only guiding religion is one's own sense of what feels right and where kids are encouraged to push past parental boundaries to achieve true greatness.
Even with these concerns, I truly enjoyed the story, its hilarious characters, and its vivid setting.
Some caveats: Some themes are potentially meaningful (his fear of not living up to his father's expectations) but spelled out more overtly than necessary, spoiling the effect. The sections of imagining himself as a bird of prey got a bit boring after a while. And I'm not a huge fan of all the lying, scheming, and sneaking out that enable the kids to become heroes in the end.
Note also that while the book features traditional belief in spirits and magic, as well as its Christian counterpart in the charismatic exorcist preacher - neither are treated as reality within the narrative. The only endorsed talk of spirits is in a metaphorical sense "you have the spirit of courage in you". While the story takes place in a thoroughly African setting, the themes of the story are strangely in line with western Disney-esque ideology - where the only guiding religion is one's own sense of what feels right and where kids are encouraged to push past parental boundaries to achieve true greatness.
Even with these concerns, I truly enjoyed the story, its hilarious characters, and its vivid setting.
February 9, 2022
A Charming and Multifaceted Friendship Story
Our hero Ato, in the company of his good and loyal friends Dzifa and Leslie, has a wide range of adventures and experiences during a brief season. We touch on Ato's family history, village life and characters, Ato's longing for his dead father, Ato's mother's struggles to survive and thrive, social customs, a charlatan prophet, local conflicts, and many examples of how it really does take a village to raise a child. All of this is well-described, colorful, and authentic, while at the same time fast paced and engaging. While the overall arc of the story isn't exactly groundbreaking, the resonant telling of the tales, the surprising depth of the characters, and the gentle drive of the interlinked stories, all make this an exceptional middle grade book.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Our hero Ato, in the company of his good and loyal friends Dzifa and Leslie, has a wide range of adventures and experiences during a brief season. We touch on Ato's family history, village life and characters, Ato's longing for his dead father, Ato's mother's struggles to survive and thrive, social customs, a charlatan prophet, local conflicts, and many examples of how it really does take a village to raise a child. All of this is well-described, colorful, and authentic, while at the same time fast paced and engaging. While the overall arc of the story isn't exactly groundbreaking, the resonant telling of the tales, the surprising depth of the characters, and the gentle drive of the interlinked stories, all make this an exceptional middle grade book.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
December 21, 2021
I love finding a good middle grade book set outside of the US, and this novel by Baitie, who lives in Ghana, is great. Although set in a specific place and culture, all readers can relate to the story. Baitie doesn't worry about explaining cultural specific references to non-Ghanaians, trusting her readers are smart enough to figure them out from the context.
"Crossing the Stream" is a mystery but it's much more. It deals with families and grief, friendships and class differences and even religion. Ato is a likeable character, as are Dzifa and Leslie, his two very different friends. The kids in the story truly do bring the guilty party to justice. Adults support them but don't solve the mystery. I hope young readers will get past the cover, which I don't find particularly appealing. This is a book that deserves a wide audience.
"Crossing the Stream" is a mystery but it's much more. It deals with families and grief, friendships and class differences and even religion. Ato is a likeable character, as are Dzifa and Leslie, his two very different friends. The kids in the story truly do bring the guilty party to justice. Adults support them but don't solve the mystery. I hope young readers will get past the cover, which I don't find particularly appealing. This is a book that deserves a wide audience.
February 23, 2023
This is an excellent book! Ato and his two friends, Leslie and Dzifa enter an environmental competition at school for a chance to win a visit to Nnoma, a bird sanctuary his late father helped build. In completing this project he ends up reconnecting strained family relationships. This book explores family ties, religion, spirituality, and conservation. The characters are striking and memorable - Ato the curious one, Leslie the calculative good boy and Dzifa is fierce. Together they are adventurous and funny. I love how Ghanaian culture shines through this story. At its core is family and friendships but the author weaves climate change and conservation perfectly in to this. Great way to introduce young readers into the subject. Even though the book is targeted at middle grade readers, it is for everyone.
August 7, 2022
A powerful (and often unsettling) story about kids fighting back against an evil influence that has captivated their community, and also about the complicated ties of family and expectations.
My only real quibble was that I felt there was a character who was treated possibly too harshly? I felt bad for Philomena, who was clearly a vulnerable character and therefore easy prey for the real Baddie of the story. Our protagonist manipulates her in the plan to obtain accountability for the villain and she's clearly so much of a victim herself in the scheme that it's hard not to feel bad for her.
Love the relationship between the boy and his grandmother though. A really great depiction of how mistakes can be made in families but there can also be redemption.
My only real quibble was that I felt there was a character who was treated possibly too harshly? I felt bad for Philomena, who was clearly a vulnerable character and therefore easy prey for the real Baddie of the story. Our protagonist manipulates her in the plan to obtain accountability for the villain and she's clearly so much of a victim herself in the scheme that it's hard not to feel bad for her.
Love the relationship between the boy and his grandmother though. A really great depiction of how mistakes can be made in families but there can also be redemption.
July 26, 2023
A beautiful story exploring love and grief with Accra as a rich and beautiful backdrop for it’s well written characters. While the story felt slow in certain points, I enjoyed the lead character Ato’s journey from being fearful and somewhat trapped under the pressure of his father’s memory to being strong, sure of himself and carrying the love and memory of his father in a way that was more freeing. The book touches on a number of important themes and I will definitely be passing my copy to my niece. Thank you to the publisher for my copy!
July 13, 2024
This novel set in Ghana explores the machinations of a local prophet who uses fear to control people and to hide his nefarious actions designed to help him obtain a piece of land. His plans are foiled by three young children who are risk-takers and children who care about the environment. This book also looks at the role of religious fervor. I'm not sure that this is a book that would appeal to many of the MS students I teach, but for those looking for one with a West African feel that is also part-mystery, it would be a good choice.
September 21, 2025
A story about a young boy's fraught relationship with his mother, who has dedicated her life to following the teachings of a local "Prophet", and the mysterious grandmother whom he starts to visit on weekends. Between learning about family history, class struggles, and the power of fear, our young hero Ato brings his friends together for a high-stakes mission to save the day. It's a satisfying adventure, with as much emotion as excitement.
November 11, 2022
From one of Ghana's talented authors.
January 24, 2023
At once familiar and fresh. We need more of this in middle grade!
February 28, 2023
I LOOOOOVED CROSSING THE SREAM
February 28, 2023
It is so amazing, and has so many cliffhangers .
July 10, 2023
A good book for teens.
It picks up slowly but the second half is absolutely thrilling
It picks up slowly but the second half is absolutely thrilling
March 4, 2024
3.5-4 interesting book. I liked the premise and the setting was appropriate and accurate in some respects. The plot was engaging and interesting with a cultish feel to it. Suggested grades 5 and up.
April 17, 2025
Legitimately so good. All my besties hate Prophet Yakayaka!!
August 19, 2026
This book is amazing. I really recommend this book to people who are into mystery. This book really reminds me of final destination bloodlines.
August 27, 2025
Strong sense of place
Well-developed characters
Moving
Generally recommended online for ages 9-12 and grades 4th-7th
Well-developed characters
Moving
Generally recommended online for ages 9-12 and grades 4th-7th
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