How You Grow Wings by Rimma Onoseta is a YA novel that tells the story of two young women from Nigeria who both work very hard to escape the abuse and suffering they experience in their home. While the story alternates between two perspectives, I would say that Zam, the younger sister, has a slightly more prominent role in the story. Zam is the favourite of her mother, a fact that is acknowledged and understood by all members of the family. She is given the opportunity to move away and live with her aunt's family in a rich neighbourhood far from home. Cheta is unhappy with this decision and as the child who suffers more of her mother's physical abuse, she is also desperate to get away from the family home. Eventually, Cheta runs away and tries to make a life for herself in an impoverished roommate situation that leads her to making some difficult and dangerous choices. Back at home, their mother struggles without either girl home to take care of the house, and perpetuates a rumour that Cheta has become a prostitute, making it impossible for Cheta to ever return home. In the end, both girls find their own way to leave the past behind and become free.
While living with her aunt's family, Zam begins to see the impact of colonialism through the stories she shares with a secondary character, Ginika, who wants to embrace her Nigerian background and language, and her rich cousin Kaira, who is obsessed with hiding any ties to her "village family".
There were a few moments throughout the story that really spoke to me. Early on in the story, when their Aunt Sophie visits them at home, Zam considers how quickly she leaves after each visit and explains to herself "If I didn't live here I would want to leave as quickly as possible too. There was something draining about the house. Sometimes it seemed the walls had absorbed all the negativity and would cave in on us." I thought that was a really interesting description of a household that is tainted with abuse.
I also thought it was interesting when Zam is having a panic attack about the impoverished situation her sister Cheta is in, Ginika tells her "You need to learn that you cannot blame yourself for other people's actions. You were offered an opportunity and you took it. You did what was best for you. Cheta would have done the same thing without thinking twice."I think that often when someone needs to break the cycle of poverty and abuse, it can be difficult for them to release any guilt that they feel for taking the opportunities offered to them, knowing that others may not have the same opportunity and may continue to suffer. This can at times, lead people to give up these opportunities for themselves, even if it does not positively impact anyone else in their situation, simply so that they do not have to feel they have an unfair advantage.
Early in the story, during Cheta's POV sections, she describes situations where she stood up or stepped in to support Zam even when she knew it would get her in trouble or cause her to lose an opportunity because her sisterly ties and desire to protect to Zam were so strong. Later in the story Zam is forced to make a decision between helping bring justice for a crime that was committed, and keeping a secret about Cheta's involvement in that crime. She chose to protect Cheta and I thought that the author made a really interesting connection between the sisters at that point in the story, so far removed from Cheta's memories of their childhood experiences, but an equally dangerous and difficult decision for Zam.
Many discussions of racism, colourism, abuse, classism, and sexism are woven throughout the story. As a result, this book is interesting and insightful which will capture the attention of a young adult and adult audience, while also sharing important messages about societal views and discrimination.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers for giving me the chance to read and review this wonderful book!
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