Housegirl

In his haunting debut, set in 2002 in Ghana and England, Donkor tells the story of three girls as they become young women, dealing not only with typical adolescent issues such as unrequited first love but also with being at the mercy of circumstances beyond their control. In London, 17-year-old Amma, once an excellent student and high achiever, struggles to define and embrace her sexuality, becoming rebellious and secretive. Her mother, convinced that she only needs a good, supportive influence, enlists the help of friends from Ghana. They send Belinda, their 17-year-old housegirl, to live with Amma’s family in London, in hopes of serving as a role model and correcting her abrupt change in behavior. But Mary, nearly 12, must adjust to losing a friend and mentor when Belinda moves, leaving her behind. The girls’ true selves emerge; they become comfortable in their own skins and capable of honest friendship that transcends childhood. The captivating characters quickly draw the reader in, and the ending is pleasingly open ended, allowing the reader to continue imagining the lives of the girls after the novel is finished. Full of secrets and heartache, this is an excellent coming-of-age novel. (Aug.)