Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting by Roseanne Brown

What worked:

The first page finds Serwa receiving her birthday wish to practice with a magical battle-axe. Then, vampires called adze attack her family of Slayers inside a powerfully-protected safe haven, a place adzes shouldn’t have been able to enter. The exciting opening pages are sure to draw kids into reading the rest of the book. The plot transitions to middle-school drama as Serwa is left with a relative and her daughter Roxy who are living in a remote, supposedly nonmagical part of the country. Serwa has issues with a couple of classmates and they predictably end up forming a team to fight an adze in the school. Serwa breaks numerous rules governing Slayers in the process and the bottom line is that she’s the only one with any training for fighting the creatures of black magic. However, there’s an unexplained energy building up inside Serwa that’s becoming more difficult to control. Readers will anxiously anticipate the inevitable eruption of power.

Serwa’s family heritage is from Ghana which is not commonly found in middle-grade novels. Twi vocabulary is shared but it’s not disruptive and makes sense in the story. Translations are included if the author feels they’re needed. Serwa’s relative mentions she’s heard her husband say some of the words although he’s stuck back in Ghana due to immigration red tape. Ghanaian deities are worshipped and prayed to and a couple make an appearance during the story. Serwa shops in a small store with ethnic foods and ingredients from Africa. Family heritage is important to Serwa and the author includes cultural details when possible to enhance the plot and conflict.

The issues of slavery and prejudice are incorporated into the plot as the quiet haven where Serwa ends up is built atop a former slave plantation. Slaves came from various parts of Africa, including Ghana, and Serwa considers the possibility of slavery having something to do with the new abilities being demonstrated by the adzes. Roxy’s father was deported for an immigration violation while a white woman wasn’t punished at all for her involvement. Serwa and her friends find themselves singled out for punishment while other white classmates get away with similar infractions. One teacher is especially hard on Serwa while insisting she can’t possibly be prejudiced. The unfairness bothers Serwa’s group and it’s frustrating when they’re forced to deal with it.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s a normal occurrence in these types of books, but it can be tiring to read about another powerful, middle-grade character ignoring advice and becoming self-absorbed in her own drama. However, it results in new complications leading to new conflicts that helped to increase the suspense. The plot’s climax and resolution are surprising and entertaining as readers will want to jump right into the sequel. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been published yet at the time of this post.

The Final Verdict:

Middle-grade superheroes are usually big hits and Serwa’s battles with vampires and her own family heritage are exciting and intriguing. Using Ghana as a cultural influence adds a twist and results in a novel perspective of a “common” problem in this genre. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.