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Sugar Town Queens
From LA Times Book Prize Award Winner and Edgar Award Nominee Malla Nunn comes a stunning portrait of a family divided and the bonds that knit our communities.
When Amandla wakes up on her fifteenth birthday she knows it's going to be one of her mother's difficult days. Her mother has had another vision. If Amandla wears a blue sheet her mother has loosely stitched as a dress and styles her normally braided hair in a halo around her head, Amandla's father will come home. Amandla's mother, Annalisa, always speaks of her father as if he was the prince of a fairytale, but in truth he's been gone since before Amandla was born and even Annalisa's memory of him is hazy. In fact many of Annalisa's memories from before Amandla was born are hazy. It's just one of the many reasons people in Sugar Town give Annalisa and Amandla strange looks--that and the fact her mother is white and Amandla is brown.
But when Amandla finds a mysterious address in the bottom of her mother's handbag along with a large amount of cash, she decides it's finally time to get answers about her mother's life. But what she discovers will change the shape and size of her family forever.
When Amandla wakes up on her fifteenth birthday she knows it's going to be one of her mother's difficult days. Her mother has had another vision. If Amandla wears a blue sheet her mother has loosely stitched as a dress and styles her normally braided hair in a halo around her head, Amandla's father will come home. Amandla's mother, Annalisa, always speaks of her father as if he was the prince of a fairytale, but in truth he's been gone since before Amandla was born and even Annalisa's memory of him is hazy. In fact many of Annalisa's memories from before Amandla was born are hazy. It's just one of the many reasons people in Sugar Town give Annalisa and Amandla strange looks--that and the fact her mother is white and Amandla is brown.
But when Amandla finds a mysterious address in the bottom of her mother's handbag along with a large amount of cash, she decides it's finally time to get answers about her mother's life. But what she discovers will change the shape and size of her family forever.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2021
34 people are currently reading
4005 people want to read
About the author
Malla Nunn
9 books199 followersMalla Nunn grew up in Swaziland before moving with her parents to Perth in the 1970s. She attended university in WA and then in the US. In New York, she worked on film sets, wrote her first screenplay and met her American husband to be, before returning to Australia, where she began writing and directing short films and corporate videos. Fade to White, Sweetbreeze and Servant of the Ancestors have won numerous awards and been shown at international film festivals, from Zanzibar to New York.
Her first novel, A Beautiful Place to Die (2008), was published internationally and won the Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for Best Adult Crime Novel by an Australian female author. Malla and her husband live in Sydney with their two children.
Her first novel, A Beautiful Place to Die (2008), was published internationally and won the Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for Best Adult Crime Novel by an Australian female author. Malla and her husband live in Sydney with their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
August 2, 2021
Amandla Zenzile Harden and her mother, Annalisa Honey-Blossom Harden, lived together in a shabby old home in Sugar Town, but it was theirs and Annalisa always kept it immaculate. She had good days and bad, with her memory of the past and Amandla’s father fractured. But Annalise always believed Amandla’s father would return to them. Amandla was fifteen – had just turned that age on one of her mother’s bad days – and when she discovered an address in her mother’s bag, she was determined to go there, to Durham, only fifteen miles from Sugar Town. It was when she arrived at the address and saw who was there that the shock hit deep inside.
Amandla and her mother were different. Annalisa was white, Amandla was brown. Her father was a Zulu – that much she knew. But what was ahead for the mother and daughter, along with Amandla’s friends, Lil Bit and Goodness, would shake the foundations of everything she had known over her fifteen years. She would discover more about true evil, racism and the horrors of the world than she ever wanted to know. But she would also discover familial love and hope. What would be the outcome of Amandla and Annalisa?
Sugar Town Queens by Aussie author Malla Nunn is a breathtaking, poignant and heartbreaking account of one family in a small shanty town in South Africa. After Nelson Mandela declared all people equal, there were many who didn’t adjust. I loved the characters of Amandla, Lil Bit and Goodness; of Annalisa and Mayme, of Mrs M and the all-seeing Blind Auntie. Sugar Town Queens is an exceptional read which brought me to tears on more than one occasion. It’s also a superb book which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Amandla and her mother were different. Annalisa was white, Amandla was brown. Her father was a Zulu – that much she knew. But what was ahead for the mother and daughter, along with Amandla’s friends, Lil Bit and Goodness, would shake the foundations of everything she had known over her fifteen years. She would discover more about true evil, racism and the horrors of the world than she ever wanted to know. But she would also discover familial love and hope. What would be the outcome of Amandla and Annalisa?
Sugar Town Queens by Aussie author Malla Nunn is a breathtaking, poignant and heartbreaking account of one family in a small shanty town in South Africa. After Nelson Mandela declared all people equal, there were many who didn’t adjust. I loved the characters of Amandla, Lil Bit and Goodness; of Annalisa and Mayme, of Mrs M and the all-seeing Blind Auntie. Sugar Town Queens is an exceptional read which brought me to tears on more than one occasion. It’s also a superb book which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2021
An easy 5 stars!
Amandla lives with her white mother in a one room house in a makeshift town in South Africa they call Sugar Town. Her mum struggles with her mental health and has gaps in her memory when it comes to Amandla’s Black dad but one day she discovers a HUGE family secret that blows her world wide open.
This was absolutely stunning! Nunn has an effortless way of bringing these complex characters to life. Amandla and her friends are so loveable and fierce and the way that they stuck together through everything was so heartwarming.
The themes of bigotry, racism and living in poverty are effortlessly woven into the plot with so much care, I wasn’t surprised that the author was drawing on personal and past experiences.
Some extra things that I wanted to mention is that there were the two main romances (there’s a delightful queer side romance!), and the ending of this book???? Excuse me while I go and cry for 10 years 🤧
I can’t recommend this book enough and I also wanted to mention that I read this while South Africa is going through a time of civil unrest so I will leave a link for how you can help! https://twitter.com/comcapacity/statu...
Thank you so much to Allen and Unwin for the review copy!
Amandla lives with her white mother in a one room house in a makeshift town in South Africa they call Sugar Town. Her mum struggles with her mental health and has gaps in her memory when it comes to Amandla’s Black dad but one day she discovers a HUGE family secret that blows her world wide open.
This was absolutely stunning! Nunn has an effortless way of bringing these complex characters to life. Amandla and her friends are so loveable and fierce and the way that they stuck together through everything was so heartwarming.
The themes of bigotry, racism and living in poverty are effortlessly woven into the plot with so much care, I wasn’t surprised that the author was drawing on personal and past experiences.
Some extra things that I wanted to mention is that there were the two main romances (there’s a delightful queer side romance!), and the ending of this book???? Excuse me while I go and cry for 10 years 🤧
I can’t recommend this book enough and I also wanted to mention that I read this while South Africa is going through a time of civil unrest so I will leave a link for how you can help! https://twitter.com/comcapacity/statu...
Thank you so much to Allen and Unwin for the review copy!
September 29, 2023
This author writes one of my favourite series about a detective in South Africa (Detective Emmanuel Cooper). Sugar Town Queens however is very different.
This is a young adult book about a brown girl called Amandla and her white single mother who live in poverty in a shanty town near Durban. Amandla's mother is a mystery. She suffers from memory loss and appears to have no family, but one day she accidentally leads her daughter to an amazing discovery which changes her whole life.
The story is full of delightful characters set against a backdrop of social issues such as poverty and racism. Amandla makes a great main character. She is smart and brave and is certainly deserving of her luck. The ending is sad in one way but happy in another and we are left with hope for the future.
Altogether a very enjoyable read, set perfectly for the young adult readership it is aimed at.
This is a young adult book about a brown girl called Amandla and her white single mother who live in poverty in a shanty town near Durban. Amandla's mother is a mystery. She suffers from memory loss and appears to have no family, but one day she accidentally leads her daughter to an amazing discovery which changes her whole life.
The story is full of delightful characters set against a backdrop of social issues such as poverty and racism. Amandla makes a great main character. She is smart and brave and is certainly deserving of her luck. The ending is sad in one way but happy in another and we are left with hope for the future.
Altogether a very enjoyable read, set perfectly for the young adult readership it is aimed at.
May 26, 2022
A stellar YA book about race, wealth, family, friendship, love, all wrapped up in Ubuntu. I loved it and highly recommend it to young and old. My stomach was tied in knots and my heart was in my throat the whole time. Off to get her other book.
Another CBCA shortlist book that doesn't disappoint.
Another CBCA shortlist book that doesn't disappoint.
September 21, 2021
4.5 stars
I love it when a book somehow manages to exceed your expectations. The book cover, which I really like by the way, kinda gave me the impression this would be a cute YA read. And it did have some cute moments, but I was blown away by the depth of the story. Race, family, friendship, belonging, poverty, love, just to name a few things explored in the story, this book offers so much to the reader.
Fifteen year old Amandla and her white mother live in Sugar Town, a South African shanty town. Amandla's father has been gone since before she was born. Her mother has a vision he'll come back if Amandla wears a blue dress. Yeah, Amandla's mom is a bit strange. She also is tightlipped about her past. One day, Amandla finds a big sum of money in her mother's purse and that leads her digging around to find out more info about her mom. And what she will uncover is a family secret or two among other things.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot as it was a fascinating read watching everything unfold. The South Africa setting gave the author material to work with and it really enhanced the story. There was something about Amandla's spirit that just struck a chord with me. One of my favorite YA fictional characters from the last few years and if Malla Nunn decides to write a book featuring one of Amandla's friends, I'll be first in line to read it.
I won a copy of this book from BookishFirst and the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
I love it when a book somehow manages to exceed your expectations. The book cover, which I really like by the way, kinda gave me the impression this would be a cute YA read. And it did have some cute moments, but I was blown away by the depth of the story. Race, family, friendship, belonging, poverty, love, just to name a few things explored in the story, this book offers so much to the reader.
Fifteen year old Amandla and her white mother live in Sugar Town, a South African shanty town. Amandla's father has been gone since before she was born. Her mother has a vision he'll come back if Amandla wears a blue dress. Yeah, Amandla's mom is a bit strange. She also is tightlipped about her past. One day, Amandla finds a big sum of money in her mother's purse and that leads her digging around to find out more info about her mom. And what she will uncover is a family secret or two among other things.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot as it was a fascinating read watching everything unfold. The South Africa setting gave the author material to work with and it really enhanced the story. There was something about Amandla's spirit that just struck a chord with me. One of my favorite YA fictional characters from the last few years and if Malla Nunn decides to write a book featuring one of Amandla's friends, I'll be first in line to read it.
I won a copy of this book from BookishFirst and the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
July 28, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookish First for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Sugar Town Queens is a YA Coming of Age about Amandla, a biracial South African teenage girl. On her fifteenth birthday, Amandla wakes up to her mother giving her a blue sheet dress and saying she had a vision about Amandla's father. Later that same day Amandla finds a mysterious address and a lump of cash in the bottom of her mother's bag. Amandla is determined to find out what her mother is hiding and when she does it changes her life in unimaginable ways.
This was simultaneously a heartwarming and heartbreaking book. It's all about family and growing up. I loved Amandla, she was such a strong character with a clear voice. She knew her world was small and she was ready to explore more of it. When she finds out her mother's mom wants to reconnect, Amandla jumps in feet first. However, her grandfather, Neville, constantly tries to stop her and keep her from visiting Mayme.
I loved getting to know the Sugar Town inhabitants and see their lives. Amandla's best friend Lil Bit was my favorite. She was a genius and super snarky (my favorite combo). Plus there was definitely some attraction between her and Amandla's new friend, Goodness. These two were so cute and I was immediately shipping it from the beginning.
The ending of this book felt like it went from 1 to 100 really fast. So much happened at the end that I was not expecting one bit and my heart was IN PAIN. I definitely cried at the end and like why did the author make me feel all those FEELS. Very much loved this story and would pick up another of the author's books immediately.
Rep: Black/biracial South African female MC, white mother with PTSD and memory loss, white grandmother with heart failure (chronic/terminal), Black South African male love interest, two Black South African sapphic female side characters. MC and her Sugar Town friends are all poor.
CWs: Abandonment/forced institutionalization of MC's mother in the past, blood, chronic/terminal illness (heart failure), death, death of parent, emotional abuse, grief, medical content, medical trauma-forced electroshock treatment, misogyny, mental illness (PTSD/memory loss), racial slurs, racism, suicide, adult/minor relationship & rape, sexual harassment, gun violence, violence, religious bigotry, homophobia.
Sugar Town Queens is a YA Coming of Age about Amandla, a biracial South African teenage girl. On her fifteenth birthday, Amandla wakes up to her mother giving her a blue sheet dress and saying she had a vision about Amandla's father. Later that same day Amandla finds a mysterious address and a lump of cash in the bottom of her mother's bag. Amandla is determined to find out what her mother is hiding and when she does it changes her life in unimaginable ways.
This was simultaneously a heartwarming and heartbreaking book. It's all about family and growing up. I loved Amandla, she was such a strong character with a clear voice. She knew her world was small and she was ready to explore more of it. When she finds out her mother's mom wants to reconnect, Amandla jumps in feet first. However, her grandfather, Neville, constantly tries to stop her and keep her from visiting Mayme.
I loved getting to know the Sugar Town inhabitants and see their lives. Amandla's best friend Lil Bit was my favorite. She was a genius and super snarky (my favorite combo). Plus there was definitely some attraction between her and Amandla's new friend, Goodness. These two were so cute and I was immediately shipping it from the beginning.
The ending of this book felt like it went from 1 to 100 really fast. So much happened at the end that I was not expecting one bit and my heart was IN PAIN. I definitely cried at the end and like why did the author make me feel all those FEELS. Very much loved this story and would pick up another of the author's books immediately.
Rep: Black/biracial South African female MC, white mother with PTSD and memory loss, white grandmother with heart failure (chronic/terminal), Black South African male love interest, two Black South African sapphic female side characters. MC and her Sugar Town friends are all poor.
CWs: Abandonment/forced institutionalization of MC's mother in the past, blood, chronic/terminal illness (heart failure), death, death of parent, emotional abuse, grief, medical content, medical trauma-forced electroshock treatment, misogyny, mental illness (PTSD/memory loss), racial slurs, racism, suicide, adult/minor relationship & rape, sexual harassment, gun violence, violence, religious bigotry, homophobia.
September 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this story and especially liked the glimpse into another culture. Amandla has no idea the secrets her mother has been hiding but a series of events that starts on her birthday leads her on a unique adventure that leads her into discovering more about her family and where her mother came from. Amandla and her mother live in a poor neighborhood called Sugar Town, but Amandla discovers her mother didn’t always live there. Amandla’s mother doesn’t really fit in as she is white and the neighborhood is mostly black. Amandla never met her father, but her mother is convinced if they do the right things he will return to them. Amandla’s mother struggles with her memory and sometimes acts a little oddly although Amandla doesn’t know why. After finding a clue in her mother’s purse Amandla and her friends Lil Bit and Goodness track down her mother’s secret and find her mother’s family. I do wish Lil Bit and Goodness had been developed a little further, but overall I loved this family drama that really drew me in.
May 23, 2021
I loved this. I found it heart-warming, genuine and thoughtful.
August 31, 2021
Content Warnings at end of review.
Thank you to Bookish First and Penguin Teen for a finished copy of this book.
Sugar Town Queens follows Amandla as she discovers the secrets her mother has kept hidden from her about her family and learns to rely on other people.
This was such a good book! I loved how interesting Amandla was as a main character. I particularly loved the dynamic between her and her mother and how that relationship developed, and I loved watching her learn more about her family and friends throughout the book. The relationship she has with her friends is such a great one! I love seeing all three of them on the cover and love the way they develop into a sort of found family!
This is a great coming-of-age novel and deals with family, friends, identity, love and loss. It also deals with power structures, wealth, racism and colorism, sexism, and many other things that I wish 15 year olds like Amandla didn't have to deal with, but do. I thought this book did a great job!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
Thank you to Bookish First and Penguin Teen for a finished copy of this book.
Sugar Town Queens follows Amandla as she discovers the secrets her mother has kept hidden from her about her family and learns to rely on other people.
This was such a good book! I loved how interesting Amandla was as a main character. I particularly loved the dynamic between her and her mother and how that relationship developed, and I loved watching her learn more about her family and friends throughout the book. The relationship she has with her friends is such a great one! I love seeing all three of them on the cover and love the way they develop into a sort of found family!
This is a great coming-of-age novel and deals with family, friends, identity, love and loss. It also deals with power structures, wealth, racism and colorism, sexism, and many other things that I wish 15 year olds like Amandla didn't have to deal with, but do. I thought this book did a great job!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
November 13, 2021
Check out my full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jlAU...
December 18, 2021
Trigger warnings: poverty, racism, racial slurs, animal death, misogyny,
I was a little uncertain going into this because I struggled with When the Ground is Hard when it came out. But this? This was wonderful. I loved the way Amandla handles the struggles she goes through in the course of the story. The friendships are wonderful, and the sense of community in Sugar Town was fantastic. I think there's a tendency to romanticise elements of post-apartheid South African society, and this shows how prevalent racism and poverty are thirty-odd years on.
The way the story ultimately played out hit me in the feelings harder than I anticipated, and I loved this much more than I anticipated.
I was a little uncertain going into this because I struggled with When the Ground is Hard when it came out. But this? This was wonderful. I loved the way Amandla handles the struggles she goes through in the course of the story. The friendships are wonderful, and the sense of community in Sugar Town was fantastic. I think there's a tendency to romanticise elements of post-apartheid South African society, and this shows how prevalent racism and poverty are thirty-odd years on.
The way the story ultimately played out hit me in the feelings harder than I anticipated, and I loved this much more than I anticipated.
September 20, 2021
When 15-year-old Amandla follows her mother one day, she ends up meeting the side of her family she never knew existed, and together with her friends, Amandla starts trying to figure out what happened to her mother to cause her estrangement, as well as the memory problems that disrupt her life.
A fast-paced YA novel that is set in a township in South Africa, Sugar Town Queens combines what it means to be a teenage girl during the summer holidays - friends, fun and flirting, alongside the realities of living in poverty and being a mixed race woman in a country that not so long ago classed you as a second class citizen. This book definitely taught me a lot of what life was and still is like for many young people in South Africa, such as living in townships that are rampant with poverty and violence, and how hard it can be to move on from that when you are constantly served limited opportunities to do better and make better. We also see the danger young girls are faced with when a local boy becomes obsessed with Amandla, and things take a turn for the worse.
I liked this book for the most part, there was a mystery and an adventurous element to it when Amandla was meeting her new family and trying to figure out what had happened to her mother all those years ago while also trying not to get caught by her racist POS grandfather. I do think the main plot began to veer off in many different directions in the last part of the book, and it felt like the author was trying to do a lot when maybe she was best concentrating on one plot point.
A fast-paced YA novel that is set in a township in South Africa, Sugar Town Queens combines what it means to be a teenage girl during the summer holidays - friends, fun and flirting, alongside the realities of living in poverty and being a mixed race woman in a country that not so long ago classed you as a second class citizen. This book definitely taught me a lot of what life was and still is like for many young people in South Africa, such as living in townships that are rampant with poverty and violence, and how hard it can be to move on from that when you are constantly served limited opportunities to do better and make better. We also see the danger young girls are faced with when a local boy becomes obsessed with Amandla, and things take a turn for the worse.
I liked this book for the most part, there was a mystery and an adventurous element to it when Amandla was meeting her new family and trying to figure out what had happened to her mother all those years ago while also trying not to get caught by her racist POS grandfather. I do think the main plot began to veer off in many different directions in the last part of the book, and it felt like the author was trying to do a lot when maybe she was best concentrating on one plot point.
August 7, 2022
not exactly my type of book but the writing style and overall vibe was good. A pretty solid book too.
August 2, 2021
I received a copy of Sugar Town Queens from Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.
Sugar Town Queens demands to be read and devoured! It is poignant and punchy, raw and completely quick paced! Its main character, Amandla, is one you instantly feel pain for, having constant whispers about her and her Mother, Annalisa. Amandla is often scored about, a mixed race child of a white woman and a black man, in a small town where everyone knows each other’s business and gossip is quickly spread! Amandla is so strong though, she definitely reads far older than her 15 years, given everything she’s has to go through!
Right from the get go, I was instantly swept up in Sugar Town Queens, intrigued by Annalisa’s supposed visions, where she thinks if Amandla abides by certain activities, her estranged Father will return! Sadly though, there’s no proof this will happen, as it’s revealed that Amandla has tried to do anything to appease her Mum and her visions, it’s just so poignant that Annalisa is so hopeful that these idiosyncrasies will work, you just can’t help but feel an ache for Amandla!
I love how much friendship is integral within Sugar Town Queens, with Lil Bit and Amandla at the helm! Lil Bit and Amandla (the rapid addition of Goodness (literally) was just a joy! But Amandla and Lil Bit, joined by their own private tragedies, as being seen as outcasts and scorned upon by some others within their small town, just had such an amazing friendship! (although it absolutely is worth noting that there are a lot of beautiful personalities with the Shanty Town!) Honestly, how life is depicted in this town really had me thinking about life in poorer communities, as Sugar Town is essentially seen as a slum! We read about how Amandla and Annalisa live in a tiny shack, with the bare minimum, yet, its when Amandla finds a wad of notes within her Mum’s handbag, once she’s determined to find out where she goes during her routine outings, that set the wheels in motion, as it were!
Not wanting to go too much into the nitty gritty of the plot of Sugar Town Queens too much, as I believe it’s best to go into it relatively blind (as I did, not knowing too much at all about the story prior to diving in), but what I didn’t expect was to be as impacted by the story and the characters as much as I was! All throughout the 312 pages, I felt completely immersed in Sugar Town Queens, feeling Amandla’s pain, her fury, throughout, Sugar Town Queens is an absolute must, must read!
Sugar Town Queens demands to be read and devoured! It is poignant and punchy, raw and completely quick paced! Its main character, Amandla, is one you instantly feel pain for, having constant whispers about her and her Mother, Annalisa. Amandla is often scored about, a mixed race child of a white woman and a black man, in a small town where everyone knows each other’s business and gossip is quickly spread! Amandla is so strong though, she definitely reads far older than her 15 years, given everything she’s has to go through!
Right from the get go, I was instantly swept up in Sugar Town Queens, intrigued by Annalisa’s supposed visions, where she thinks if Amandla abides by certain activities, her estranged Father will return! Sadly though, there’s no proof this will happen, as it’s revealed that Amandla has tried to do anything to appease her Mum and her visions, it’s just so poignant that Annalisa is so hopeful that these idiosyncrasies will work, you just can’t help but feel an ache for Amandla!
I love how much friendship is integral within Sugar Town Queens, with Lil Bit and Amandla at the helm! Lil Bit and Amandla (the rapid addition of Goodness (literally) was just a joy! But Amandla and Lil Bit, joined by their own private tragedies, as being seen as outcasts and scorned upon by some others within their small town, just had such an amazing friendship! (although it absolutely is worth noting that there are a lot of beautiful personalities with the Shanty Town!) Honestly, how life is depicted in this town really had me thinking about life in poorer communities, as Sugar Town is essentially seen as a slum! We read about how Amandla and Annalisa live in a tiny shack, with the bare minimum, yet, its when Amandla finds a wad of notes within her Mum’s handbag, once she’s determined to find out where she goes during her routine outings, that set the wheels in motion, as it were!
Not wanting to go too much into the nitty gritty of the plot of Sugar Town Queens too much, as I believe it’s best to go into it relatively blind (as I did, not knowing too much at all about the story prior to diving in), but what I didn’t expect was to be as impacted by the story and the characters as much as I was! All throughout the 312 pages, I felt completely immersed in Sugar Town Queens, feeling Amandla’s pain, her fury, throughout, Sugar Town Queens is an absolute must, must read!
July 26, 2021
From the first page, we are thrown head first into Amandla's world, torn between keeping her mother happy and surviving school. From the first, Amandla is a character that is easy to like, easy to feel compassion towards. She feels real, gritty even.
Sugar Town Queens talks about racism in a way that makes you feel disgusted by humanity. How people can throw away a part of their family because of their skin. Nunn allows the reader to make their own assumptions about the motives of Amandla's family and their shunning of her and her mother, and then gently reveals the horrible truth. It is expertly done.
This book is written in a way that keeps you on your toes and constantly contemplating what it means to be human and how we take life's creature comforts for granted. Not only is it written in such an emotive and thought provoking way, it is filled to the brim with strong and complex characters.
Amandla is such a strong young woman, surrounded by strong women. To see her grow and become someone she is proud of, is fantastic. Her character progression is definitely the highlight of this book, seeing her realise that she does matter and she isn't worthless, that she is a person and deserves to be treated as such.
The ending to this powerful novel is bitter sweet, it is clouded with loss but also growth and family and acceptance.
This unique and poignant book is not to be missed.
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me out a review copy of this title. All thoughts are my own.
Sugar Town Queens talks about racism in a way that makes you feel disgusted by humanity. How people can throw away a part of their family because of their skin. Nunn allows the reader to make their own assumptions about the motives of Amandla's family and their shunning of her and her mother, and then gently reveals the horrible truth. It is expertly done.
This book is written in a way that keeps you on your toes and constantly contemplating what it means to be human and how we take life's creature comforts for granted. Not only is it written in such an emotive and thought provoking way, it is filled to the brim with strong and complex characters.
Amandla is such a strong young woman, surrounded by strong women. To see her grow and become someone she is proud of, is fantastic. Her character progression is definitely the highlight of this book, seeing her realise that she does matter and she isn't worthless, that she is a person and deserves to be treated as such.
The ending to this powerful novel is bitter sweet, it is clouded with loss but also growth and family and acceptance.
This unique and poignant book is not to be missed.
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me out a review copy of this title. All thoughts are my own.
July 30, 2021
Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
CW: Racism, homophobia, forced institutionalization, chronic illness, emotional abuse, misogyny, gun violence, violence, death of a parent, death of a child, sexual harassment, mental illness, descriptions of blood
Sugar Town Queens follows mixed-race Amandla and her white mother Annalisa, who live in a small South African township called Sugar Town. Amandla has long wondered about her mother's past and where she comes from, but Annalisa has gaps in her memory that prevent her from sharing her story with her daughter. When Amandla finds a large amount of money bound with an address in her mother's purse, she decides to investigate and see what she can uncover about her family history.
This was a wonderfully written, engaging novel that explores some very serious topics such as racism in South Africa, generational wealth, and more (see CW above for other sensitive topics). It is short and fast-paced with a strong willed protagonist and fun side characters that I think everyone would love. This is definitely more of a character driven novel, which is something I personally love, but keep that in mind when you get into reading it if you aren't used to reading books in this style or if it's something you don't normally gravitate toward.
Overall, I encourage everybody to give this book a chance when it comes out on August 3rd. You won't regret it!
CW: Racism, homophobia, forced institutionalization, chronic illness, emotional abuse, misogyny, gun violence, violence, death of a parent, death of a child, sexual harassment, mental illness, descriptions of blood
Sugar Town Queens follows mixed-race Amandla and her white mother Annalisa, who live in a small South African township called Sugar Town. Amandla has long wondered about her mother's past and where she comes from, but Annalisa has gaps in her memory that prevent her from sharing her story with her daughter. When Amandla finds a large amount of money bound with an address in her mother's purse, she decides to investigate and see what she can uncover about her family history.
This was a wonderfully written, engaging novel that explores some very serious topics such as racism in South Africa, generational wealth, and more (see CW above for other sensitive topics). It is short and fast-paced with a strong willed protagonist and fun side characters that I think everyone would love. This is definitely more of a character driven novel, which is something I personally love, but keep that in mind when you get into reading it if you aren't used to reading books in this style or if it's something you don't normally gravitate toward.
Overall, I encourage everybody to give this book a chance when it comes out on August 3rd. You won't regret it!
August 13, 2022
This is one of those slice of life stories, with a family mystery thrown in.
Amandla lives in Sugar Town, a slum in South Africa, with her mother, who is often confused and losing her memory. When she discovers her mother is getting money from somewhere, Amandla wants to know how. So she follows her, and starts to uncover a lot of hidden things about her mother's past.
This story had a great cast of characters. I think I enjoyed it so much because of the friendships and familial love in this story. Amandla had such a close-knit community to be part of, and really knew what was important in life and the things that mattered. It was beautiful to see her character shine through hardships and grow to appreciate her mother more and more as the story progressed after her initial embarrassment of her.
There's a light amount of romance, and LGBT rep (best friend, not the MC) and a range of diverse characters (though the cover is a bit of a giveaway). It deals with a lot of themes including: racism, stalking, domestic abuse, poverty, death, mental illness, and probably a few others thrown in. It's not a heavy hitter though: it won't rip your guts out so much as raise awareness and show you a side of life you've probably never had to experience.
I can see why this book is on this year's CBCA shortlist.
Amandla lives in Sugar Town, a slum in South Africa, with her mother, who is often confused and losing her memory. When she discovers her mother is getting money from somewhere, Amandla wants to know how. So she follows her, and starts to uncover a lot of hidden things about her mother's past.
This story had a great cast of characters. I think I enjoyed it so much because of the friendships and familial love in this story. Amandla had such a close-knit community to be part of, and really knew what was important in life and the things that mattered. It was beautiful to see her character shine through hardships and grow to appreciate her mother more and more as the story progressed after her initial embarrassment of her.
There's a light amount of romance, and LGBT rep (best friend, not the MC) and a range of diverse characters (though the cover is a bit of a giveaway). It deals with a lot of themes including: racism, stalking, domestic abuse, poverty, death, mental illness, and probably a few others thrown in. It's not a heavy hitter though: it won't rip your guts out so much as raise awareness and show you a side of life you've probably never had to experience.
I can see why this book is on this year's CBCA shortlist.
November 8, 2021
4.5 stars
August 3, 2021
Trigger Warnings: racism, violence, grief, death, mental illness, homophobia, misogyny, emotional abuse, sexual harassment, forced institutionalization,
Sugar Town Queens is a South African young adult contemporary story about family, friendship, race, secrets and love. Malla Nunn’s writing beautifully captured Amandla’s story and the strong bonds between mother and daughter. Sugar Town Queens is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading.
Sugar Town Queens follows biracial teenager Amandla Harden as she discovers the family she never knew she had. I loved how friendship and family were such an important part of this story. Amandla and her mum Annalisa have a complicated relationship, but they are there for each other through all the ups and downs. Goodness and Lil Bet are Amandla’s friends and it was great seeing their friendship with Amandla develop and strengthen throughout Sugar Town Queens.
Overall, I highly recommend reading Sugar Town Queens it was a heartfelt and beautifully written story!
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sugar Town Queens is a South African young adult contemporary story about family, friendship, race, secrets and love. Malla Nunn’s writing beautifully captured Amandla’s story and the strong bonds between mother and daughter. Sugar Town Queens is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading.
Sugar Town Queens follows biracial teenager Amandla Harden as she discovers the family she never knew she had. I loved how friendship and family were such an important part of this story. Amandla and her mum Annalisa have a complicated relationship, but they are there for each other through all the ups and downs. Goodness and Lil Bet are Amandla’s friends and it was great seeing their friendship with Amandla develop and strengthen throughout Sugar Town Queens.
Overall, I highly recommend reading Sugar Town Queens it was a heartfelt and beautifully written story!
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2024
AMAZING, I’m heartbroken and heart warmed at the same time. SO GOOD.
March 10, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
June 28, 2021
Mixed Amandla and her white mom, Annalisa, don’t live in the worst part of their South African township;; they can afford Amandla’s high school fees and have a roof over their heads but are just barely scraping by and Amandla can easily foresee a future when their circumstances will worsen. Annalisa’s secrecy and frequent memory lapses worry Amandla so she, with friends Lil Bit and Goodness, decide to investigate a mysterious address Amandla finds (along with a surprising amount of cash) in her mom’s purse.
Vivid settings, nuanced characters, and a compelling plot keep the reader turning pages. The sights, sounds, and smells of Sugar Town and the variety of circumstances of Sugar Town residents are especially well-realized.
Vivid settings, nuanced characters, and a compelling plot keep the reader turning pages. The sights, sounds, and smells of Sugar Town and the variety of circumstances of Sugar Town residents are especially well-realized.
Read
July 20, 2022Amandla lives with her white mother in a run down old home who suffers from a mental illness and amnesia. Everyday for Amandla gets more difficult, on her birthday she comes home and finds her mothers purse with a mysterious address and a large amount of cash, she decides to go to the address to get answers about her mother but what she stumbled upon could change everything about her family forever.
This book has a lot of representation which we don't see in many books, including black representation, mental health representation. This also deals with racism, sexism and colourism in some sort of degree and we get to see. We got to see some different cultures and traditions.
Content Warnings
Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, and Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Mental illness, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
This book has a lot of representation which we don't see in many books, including black representation, mental health representation. This also deals with racism, sexism and colourism in some sort of degree and we get to see. We got to see some different cultures and traditions.
Content Warnings
Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, and Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Mental illness, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
December 14, 2021
An easy 5 stars
This book was a gift and I have been blessed to receive it. Where do I begin??
Sugar Town Queens was a remarkable tale narrated by 15 year old, Amandla. Amandla lives in Sugar town - a township bordering the sugar cane fields just outside of Durban, South Africa. Raised in a one-room tin shack by her mentally ill single mother, Annalisa, Amandla is often ostracised as “too black” for the white kids and “too white” for the black kids. With limited funds, seemingly no other family and the necessity of looking after her mother, Amandla’s life is far from easy. All Amandla knows about her family is that her mother doesn’t belong in the streets of the township, a trauma in Annalisa’s past left her in Sugar town with a crying baby and that her mother yearns for her father - a nameless, faceless figure in her life.
But when Amandla finds a note and address at the bottom of Annalisa’s bag on her 15th birthday, she is led into a complex and confusing new life. Her small world of Annalisa and her best friend, Lili Bet, is drastically widened in days as she finally learns of her wider family. As Amandla unravels Annalisa’s dark history, covered up by her grandfather - the racist patriarch of the family - her sense of self and identity is challenged like never before.
Navigating family dynamics can be difficult in and of itself, but, meeting a long-lost upperclass white family as a mixed girl from a township in post-apartheid South Africa, is undoubtedly harder. Together with her beloved mum, neighbours and friends, Amandla courageously tells a heartbreakingly raw and soulful story of race, class, family and the patriarchy in South Africa, as the eyes of Nelson Mandela watch down from the poster outside her school.
I absolutely adored this book. Simply and elegantly written, Malla Nunn constructs an achingly beautiful story that really puts into perspective the power of community, compassion, familial love, humility and kindness - and how such things can come together to defeat something even as monstrous as the patriarchy.
I was blown away by the love and care the characters showed each other. Though they didn’t explicitly say those three words their actions screamed, mouthed and whispered it time and time - I love you, I respect you, I’m here for you, trust me, I’ll look after you . From the care Amandla showed her mother, to the new found joy igniting Mayme every time she saw her, to the steadfast support Lili Bet and Goodness always gave Amandla and the care freely given by Mrs M and Father Gibson whenever needed. I loved every good deed, kindness and act of love in this book - and let me tell you, this book was brimming full with it, showering love. As someone who had never heard of Ubuntu before reading Sugar Town Queens, this book was a prime example introducing me to the concept.
”Ubuntu. We learnt about it in primary school: the Zulu idea that a person is a person through other people. We are all interconnected in a living, breathing ocean of compassion and humanity.”
It seemed the beauty of these acts of Ubuntu, put the bitter and cruel interactions into a stark contrast. While it was difficult and painful to read at times, the racism, hate and bigotry Amandla faced made her triumphs so much more rewarding.
I liked how despite the forgiveness granted in this book today and the acknowledgement of the pain different people caused each other, the author clearly emphasised how that didn’t take away the lasting impacts of that damage and it’s didn’t completely absolve the perpetrators of their guilt - it lingered. But, there was beauty in how the characters could remember those times of pain and the mistakes they’d made, but they each could cherish and love those same people in the present moment.
”Mrs M leaves, and it’s just us. Three generations of one family, women with the weight of a silent, unresolved history resting on our shoulders.”
It was just so human - messy and difficult, confusing and beautiful, memorable and traumatic and so, so hopeful. I loved seeing how these characters dreamed and chased a better future.
”In Sugar Town, promises are cheap, but the hope they create is priceless. They also help us to sleep and to dream of the good things waiting for us around the corner.”
Amandla was such a wonderful narrator. She was brave, confident and caring yet abrasive when she needed to be. I loved how she unapologetically defended and cared for herself and her loved ones, and that she wasn’t afraid to ask for help when she needed it.
A thought-provoking and moving tale from start to finish. I already feel the urge to reread and annotate. I loved it.
5 stars.
This book was a gift and I have been blessed to receive it. Where do I begin??
Sugar Town Queens was a remarkable tale narrated by 15 year old, Amandla. Amandla lives in Sugar town - a township bordering the sugar cane fields just outside of Durban, South Africa. Raised in a one-room tin shack by her mentally ill single mother, Annalisa, Amandla is often ostracised as “too black” for the white kids and “too white” for the black kids. With limited funds, seemingly no other family and the necessity of looking after her mother, Amandla’s life is far from easy. All Amandla knows about her family is that her mother doesn’t belong in the streets of the township, a trauma in Annalisa’s past left her in Sugar town with a crying baby and that her mother yearns for her father - a nameless, faceless figure in her life.
But when Amandla finds a note and address at the bottom of Annalisa’s bag on her 15th birthday, she is led into a complex and confusing new life. Her small world of Annalisa and her best friend, Lili Bet, is drastically widened in days as she finally learns of her wider family. As Amandla unravels Annalisa’s dark history, covered up by her grandfather - the racist patriarch of the family - her sense of self and identity is challenged like never before.
Navigating family dynamics can be difficult in and of itself, but, meeting a long-lost upperclass white family as a mixed girl from a township in post-apartheid South Africa, is undoubtedly harder. Together with her beloved mum, neighbours and friends, Amandla courageously tells a heartbreakingly raw and soulful story of race, class, family and the patriarchy in South Africa, as the eyes of Nelson Mandela watch down from the poster outside her school.
I absolutely adored this book. Simply and elegantly written, Malla Nunn constructs an achingly beautiful story that really puts into perspective the power of community, compassion, familial love, humility and kindness - and how such things can come together to defeat something even as monstrous as the patriarchy.
I was blown away by the love and care the characters showed each other. Though they didn’t explicitly say those three words their actions screamed, mouthed and whispered it time and time - I love you, I respect you, I’m here for you, trust me, I’ll look after you . From the care Amandla showed her mother, to the new found joy igniting Mayme every time she saw her, to the steadfast support Lili Bet and Goodness always gave Amandla and the care freely given by Mrs M and Father Gibson whenever needed. I loved every good deed, kindness and act of love in this book - and let me tell you, this book was brimming full with it, showering love. As someone who had never heard of Ubuntu before reading Sugar Town Queens, this book was a prime example introducing me to the concept.
”Ubuntu. We learnt about it in primary school: the Zulu idea that a person is a person through other people. We are all interconnected in a living, breathing ocean of compassion and humanity.”
It seemed the beauty of these acts of Ubuntu, put the bitter and cruel interactions into a stark contrast. While it was difficult and painful to read at times, the racism, hate and bigotry Amandla faced made her triumphs so much more rewarding.
I liked how despite the forgiveness granted in this book today and the acknowledgement of the pain different people caused each other, the author clearly emphasised how that didn’t take away the lasting impacts of that damage and it’s didn’t completely absolve the perpetrators of their guilt - it lingered. But, there was beauty in how the characters could remember those times of pain and the mistakes they’d made, but they each could cherish and love those same people in the present moment.
”Mrs M leaves, and it’s just us. Three generations of one family, women with the weight of a silent, unresolved history resting on our shoulders.”
It was just so human - messy and difficult, confusing and beautiful, memorable and traumatic and so, so hopeful. I loved seeing how these characters dreamed and chased a better future.
”In Sugar Town, promises are cheap, but the hope they create is priceless. They also help us to sleep and to dream of the good things waiting for us around the corner.”
Amandla was such a wonderful narrator. She was brave, confident and caring yet abrasive when she needed to be. I loved how she unapologetically defended and cared for herself and her loved ones, and that she wasn’t afraid to ask for help when she needed it.
A thought-provoking and moving tale from start to finish. I already feel the urge to reread and annotate. I loved it.
5 stars.
January 29, 2023
Sugar Town Queens is a heartfelt, authentic, and evocative novel about the struggles of fitting in when you are so different to those around you. The gripping story of Amandla and her mother Annalisa is filled with brutalities, new friendships, and the urge to know their past.
In the story’s primary setting, they both stand out because Annalisa is a white woman living in Sugar town, a country slum, and her daughter, Amandla is mixed race. They separate themselves from all the others until one day something from their past changes them forever.
Here are a couple character profiles without giving the story away:
AMANDLA: The story is driven by Amandla who settles for nothing less than her dreams.
LIL BIT: Starting out with one friend, Lil Bit, Amandla navigates the struggles of life where races are separated, and families are broken by violence, drugs, and poverty.
GOODNESS: In her quest to find out what lies beyond the wall of sugar town she makes new relationships with all the people around her. In particular, Goodness, who belongs to a rich and famous family in sugar town helps Amandla to find out about her past. Goodness reveals the power of friendships. Perhaps the most unlikely people to be friends becomes the queens of sugar town.
Lil bit, Goodness, and Amandla work together and what they find is beyond anything they could have imagined.
Mrs M: The neighbour of Annalisa and Amandla in Sugar Town.
ANNALISA: She is Amandla’s mother, and despite being disjointed and confused a lot of the time, she always cares and loves for Amandla. She starts off as a reserved character, declining invitations and avoiding conversations. As the story progresses she comes to terms with the embarrassment or her position and pain of her past. This sees her becoming more involved with the neighbours. She is a really important character in conveying the core moral of the book which is love and closeness provided by a family, regardless of race or other factors.
MAYME (Amanda): She is Annalisa’s Mother and Amandla grandmother. She lives her life with the pain of not standing up for her daughter when Neville disowner her. She is the foil to Neville who if a villainous person. In the end she gets the courage to confront Neville. Mayme is an important character in presenting some core morals such as how the truth can hurt and standing up for loved ones.
NEVILLE: He is Annalisa’s father and Amandla’s grandfather. He is a uncompassionate racist. Neville is an extremely important character is teaching the value of friendship, family and the dangers of power and racism.
So in conclusion…
The family connections and relationships in this book are extensive and real. The story line and plot is highly authentic and believable. It is an accurate portrayal of life to some people and explores values, beliefs, and moral that can apply to us all.
I can’t fault this book. I can see that Malla Nunn’s has gotten a lot better at writing since her previous shortlisted book “When the Ground is Hard”. This was a very good book, but “Sugar Town Queens” takes the morals, intensity, emotions and plot to the next level.
In the story’s primary setting, they both stand out because Annalisa is a white woman living in Sugar town, a country slum, and her daughter, Amandla is mixed race. They separate themselves from all the others until one day something from their past changes them forever.
Here are a couple character profiles without giving the story away:
AMANDLA: The story is driven by Amandla who settles for nothing less than her dreams.
LIL BIT: Starting out with one friend, Lil Bit, Amandla navigates the struggles of life where races are separated, and families are broken by violence, drugs, and poverty.
GOODNESS: In her quest to find out what lies beyond the wall of sugar town she makes new relationships with all the people around her. In particular, Goodness, who belongs to a rich and famous family in sugar town helps Amandla to find out about her past. Goodness reveals the power of friendships. Perhaps the most unlikely people to be friends becomes the queens of sugar town.
Lil bit, Goodness, and Amandla work together and what they find is beyond anything they could have imagined.
Mrs M: The neighbour of Annalisa and Amandla in Sugar Town.
ANNALISA: She is Amandla’s mother, and despite being disjointed and confused a lot of the time, she always cares and loves for Amandla. She starts off as a reserved character, declining invitations and avoiding conversations. As the story progresses she comes to terms with the embarrassment or her position and pain of her past. This sees her becoming more involved with the neighbours. She is a really important character in conveying the core moral of the book which is love and closeness provided by a family, regardless of race or other factors.
MAYME (Amanda): She is Annalisa’s Mother and Amandla grandmother. She lives her life with the pain of not standing up for her daughter when Neville disowner her. She is the foil to Neville who if a villainous person. In the end she gets the courage to confront Neville. Mayme is an important character in presenting some core morals such as how the truth can hurt and standing up for loved ones.
NEVILLE: He is Annalisa’s father and Amandla’s grandfather. He is a uncompassionate racist. Neville is an extremely important character is teaching the value of friendship, family and the dangers of power and racism.
So in conclusion…
The family connections and relationships in this book are extensive and real. The story line and plot is highly authentic and believable. It is an accurate portrayal of life to some people and explores values, beliefs, and moral that can apply to us all.
I can’t fault this book. I can see that Malla Nunn’s has gotten a lot better at writing since her previous shortlisted book “When the Ground is Hard”. This was a very good book, but “Sugar Town Queens” takes the morals, intensity, emotions and plot to the next level.
July 29, 2021
*Special thanks to Penguin Teen for providing me with an eARC of this book!*
I didn't really know what to expect going into this book, but it turned out to be a pretty good read. The plot was compelling and I didn't want to put it down! The pacing was a little odd at times and the characters were pretty undeveloped, but overall it was enjoyable and had a nice mystery element.
I loved the main character, Amandla. She was brave and strong, and she didn't let other people push her around. She was protective of the people she loved, especially her mother, and was willing to fight to discover the truth about her family. Her character arc was wonderful; you could really feel her coming into her true self. Her mom, Annalisa, was an interesting character too. Her presence was important, but she was more of a catalyst in the plot. I didn't feel much of an emotional connection to her until the end when we learned more about her past.
Amandla's friends, Lil Bit and Goodness, felt a bit one-dimensional; however, I liked how they were always there to support Amandla. I'm still interested in learning more about Lil Bit, and I think another book starring her would be great! I feel like there's a lot more to her story. The romance was a minor plot point, but it was cute! I do question how old the romantic interest was supposed to be, though; the book made it seem like he was around 18 or 19 (he was seemingly done with school and working), but Amandla just turned 15 at the beginning of the book, so that would be a pretty wide age gap.
In order to keep this review spoiler-free I won't mention any other characters specifically by name, but let's just say that one of them annoyed me throughout the entire book, I wanted to banish two others to the depths of Mordor, and the others were just bland. Overall, I wasn't very impressed with the characters in this book.
I did enjoy the mystery in this book! The mystery vibes were subtle, but they added a lot. However, I would categorize this as more of a coming-of-age contemporary than a mystery. This book was very heartwarming, too, and I liked the focus on friends and family. The descriptions were also really vivid and made me feel like I was with the characters in Sugar Town!
I didn't really know what to expect going into this book, but it turned out to be a pretty good read. The plot was compelling and I didn't want to put it down! The pacing was a little odd at times and the characters were pretty undeveloped, but overall it was enjoyable and had a nice mystery element.
I loved the main character, Amandla. She was brave and strong, and she didn't let other people push her around. She was protective of the people she loved, especially her mother, and was willing to fight to discover the truth about her family. Her character arc was wonderful; you could really feel her coming into her true self. Her mom, Annalisa, was an interesting character too. Her presence was important, but she was more of a catalyst in the plot. I didn't feel much of an emotional connection to her until the end when we learned more about her past.
Amandla's friends, Lil Bit and Goodness, felt a bit one-dimensional; however, I liked how they were always there to support Amandla. I'm still interested in learning more about Lil Bit, and I think another book starring her would be great! I feel like there's a lot more to her story. The romance was a minor plot point, but it was cute! I do question how old the romantic interest was supposed to be, though; the book made it seem like he was around 18 or 19 (he was seemingly done with school and working), but Amandla just turned 15 at the beginning of the book, so that would be a pretty wide age gap.
In order to keep this review spoiler-free I won't mention any other characters specifically by name, but let's just say that one of them annoyed me throughout the entire book, I wanted to banish two others to the depths of Mordor, and the others were just bland. Overall, I wasn't very impressed with the characters in this book.
I did enjoy the mystery in this book! The mystery vibes were subtle, but they added a lot. However, I would categorize this as more of a coming-of-age contemporary than a mystery. This book was very heartwarming, too, and I liked the focus on friends and family. The descriptions were also really vivid and made me feel like I was with the characters in Sugar Town!
September 20, 2021
A Wonderful Story Full of Hope and Heartache
Sugar Town Queens was a wonderful young adult story that explored themes of race, wealth/class, friendship, family relationships, mental health, and standing up for what's right and good, even when it's tough. There's even a bit of mystery and sweet romance.
This story was so well written and it was a joy getting to know 15-year-old Amandla as she confronted so many issues within and outside of her family. Amandla's character was so well fleshed-out I found myself feeling the emotions she felt. She was a strong character that showed so much growth, yet she also struggled with anger, fear, and despair which made her so relatable, so realistic. I found myself rooting for her, wanting her to be strong and to see everything through - to be proud of who she is.
The author also did a wonderful job creating the South African Sugar Town setting. I felt as if I were walking along the dirt roads, seeing and inhabiting the tiny tin shacks the residents lived in, watching the children playing sports and hanging out, enjoying little gardens growing, and seeing families coming together for simple meals...all somehow finding joy in their little shanty town.
Most of all, Sugar Town Queens left me with a sense of hope, and with the desire to be courageous.... to stand up and face evil and hate head-on.
Sugar Town Queens was a wonderful young adult story that explored themes of race, wealth/class, friendship, family relationships, mental health, and standing up for what's right and good, even when it's tough. There's even a bit of mystery and sweet romance.
This story was so well written and it was a joy getting to know 15-year-old Amandla as she confronted so many issues within and outside of her family. Amandla's character was so well fleshed-out I found myself feeling the emotions she felt. She was a strong character that showed so much growth, yet she also struggled with anger, fear, and despair which made her so relatable, so realistic. I found myself rooting for her, wanting her to be strong and to see everything through - to be proud of who she is.
The author also did a wonderful job creating the South African Sugar Town setting. I felt as if I were walking along the dirt roads, seeing and inhabiting the tiny tin shacks the residents lived in, watching the children playing sports and hanging out, enjoying little gardens growing, and seeing families coming together for simple meals...all somehow finding joy in their little shanty town.
Most of all, Sugar Town Queens left me with a sense of hope, and with the desire to be courageous.... to stand up and face evil and hate head-on.
October 30, 2021
Borrowed on a whim. Saw the cover, thought it might be something a little lighter and a little different. Amandla lives with her mom and knows when she wakes up on her birthday that it's going to be a difficult day. In between managing her mom plus the fact that she and her mother are different skin colors are among the least of her problems.
It turns out her mom is a disinherited daughter of a rich white family, which of course complicates Amandla's life, considering the cast of characters that will be involved with her life and the things she learns about herself and her family along the way. Unfortunately, the book sort of becomes a blur. None of the characters were particularly well fleshed out and while I understood where the author was going, it just wasn't a compelling story.
However, it does cover a lot of complicated and painful issues ranging from mental illness to racism to death to grieve and more. Someone else who might more closely identify with Amandla's story mind it resonates with them more. In the end it was perhaps just not a read for me or not the best time.
Library borrow was best.
It turns out her mom is a disinherited daughter of a rich white family, which of course complicates Amandla's life, considering the cast of characters that will be involved with her life and the things she learns about herself and her family along the way. Unfortunately, the book sort of becomes a blur. None of the characters were particularly well fleshed out and while I understood where the author was going, it just wasn't a compelling story.
However, it does cover a lot of complicated and painful issues ranging from mental illness to racism to death to grieve and more. Someone else who might more closely identify with Amandla's story mind it resonates with them more. In the end it was perhaps just not a read for me or not the best time.
Library borrow was best.
August 31, 2021
Rainbow Peoples
**spoilerz*
OMG, this is going to be one of the best YA novels I'll read in a while. Amandla had me laughing until I cried but by the end I was mostly crying. What a gut wrenching novel with so many ups and downs?!!? Her grandpa truly is the devil and I couldn't ever forgive him either. Amandla pulling a gun out on him was surprising and I am glad she really didn't have the bullets to kill him...I was thinking the grandma was going to have a literal heart attack and I could barely keep listening to the audio book.
Another moment I had trouble getting past is when Jacob stabs Amandla's mother?!
I really thought he and his bros were all talk but turned out he was worse than some creepo. The kid was a murderer and to think he just preyed on little girls and most people didn't bat and eye. This is why I think Amandla was blaming herself and asking was it something she said or wore to invite his attention. We all know it is never what you wear but in some communities they will blame women before they blame men for anything which is what I think Amandla was dealing with and why she internally blamed herself for what happened to Jacob.
**spoilerz*
OMG, this is going to be one of the best YA novels I'll read in a while. Amandla had me laughing until I cried but by the end I was mostly crying. What a gut wrenching novel with so many ups and downs?!!? Her grandpa truly is the devil and I couldn't ever forgive him either. Amandla pulling a gun out on him was surprising and I am glad she really didn't have the bullets to kill him...I was thinking the grandma was going to have a literal heart attack and I could barely keep listening to the audio book.
Another moment I had trouble getting past is when Jacob stabs Amandla's mother?!
I really thought he and his bros were all talk but turned out he was worse than some creepo. The kid was a murderer and to think he just preyed on little girls and most people didn't bat and eye. This is why I think Amandla was blaming herself and asking was it something she said or wore to invite his attention. We all know it is never what you wear but in some communities they will blame women before they blame men for anything which is what I think Amandla was dealing with and why she internally blamed herself for what happened to Jacob.
October 25, 2021
“That shows how little he knows about Sugar Town bitches. We fight for what we want. If I’m a Sugar Town bitch, then he’s a weak ass bitch.”
I’ve seen this book around but didn’t add it to my TBR until I was looking for an audiobook I could just “turn my brain off while listening” and this was a recommendation.
Amandla is a strong queen who didn’t take shit from anyone, especially not her racist family members. She was such an entertaining, head-strong, and loveable narrator. I was invested in the family secrets and history combined with race and class commentary, even nuances within a race through mixed identity. As a mixed kid, I love reading narrators who aren’t enough of A or B and struggle to find their place.
Is this another unpopular opinion? Like other people who gave this story about the same rating, I didn’t see a point in the side characters since they were very flat. And aspects of the ending were so abrupt that I felt like I missed so much for it to make sense.
I’ve seen this book around but didn’t add it to my TBR until I was looking for an audiobook I could just “turn my brain off while listening” and this was a recommendation.
Amandla is a strong queen who didn’t take shit from anyone, especially not her racist family members. She was such an entertaining, head-strong, and loveable narrator. I was invested in the family secrets and history combined with race and class commentary, even nuances within a race through mixed identity. As a mixed kid, I love reading narrators who aren’t enough of A or B and struggle to find their place.
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