Secondary School is a transformative phase filled with unique challenges. It’s a time when teenagers grapple with questions of identity, navigate the complexities of friendship and love, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. While the guidance of parents is invaluable during this crucial period, it’s equally essential to provide teenagers with books that resonate with their experiences and emotions.
Literature can be a trusted companion in this delicate juncture of their lives, offering solace and understanding. The characters in these books become more than ink on paper; they become confidants and mirrors reflecting the intricacies of teenage life. By immersing themselves in stories that echo their own struggles and triumphs, teenagers can find solace in knowing they are not alone on this tumultuous journey.
In this blog post, we delve into the world of literature tailored for Nigerian teenagers in secondary schools, where relatability is critical. These books are more than just tales; they are a bridge between the pages and the reader’s heart, a guiding light through the labyrinth of adolescence.
Spirited and intelligent, Morayo grows up surrounded by school friends and family in Ibadan. There is Eniayo, her adoring little sister – for whose sake their middle-class parents fight stigmatising superstition – and a large extended family of cousins and aunts who sometimes make Morayo’s home their own. A shameful secret forced upon her by Bros T, her cousin, thrusts Morayo into a web of oppressive silence woven by the adults around her. Morayo must learn to fiercely protect herself and her sister as young women growing up in a complex and politically charged country.
Warri, October 1992: Seething with idleness and nonchalance, sick of watching his parents fight, 16-year-old Ewaen is waiting for university to begin, waiting for something to happen. Months later, Ewaen and his friends are finally enrolled as freshmen at the University of Benin. Their routine now consists of hanging out in a parking lot trading jibes, chasing girls and sex, and learning to manage the staff strikes and crumbling infrastructure. But Nigerian campuses in the 1990s can be dangerous places, too. Violent confraternities stake territories and stalk for new recruits. An incident of petty crime snowballs into tragedy.
And After Many Days is a novel about childhood, the delicate, complex balance of power and love between siblings, and the unique ecosystem of a family. It also portrays a society as the old world gives way to a new status quo. A novel of quiet, devastating force, And After Many Days holds a profound story of life, loss and becoming at its centre.
The Death of Vivek Oji transports us to the day of Vivek’s birth when his grandmother Ahunna died. It is the story of an overprotective mother and a distant father, and it is the heart-wrenching tale of one family’s struggle to understand their child, just as Vivek learns to recognise himself.
Teeming with unforgettable characters whose lives have been shaped by Vivek’s gentle and enigmatic spirit, it shares with us a Nigerian childhood that challenges expectations. This novel and its celebration of youth’s innocence and optimism will touch all who embrace it.
A mysterious plague known as the Grey grips the small village of Pilam, which the world has quarantined without pity. Laying waste to Pilam’s residents, the sickness saps its victims of strength, drains the colour from their eyes, and kills all promise. Only the young are immune. But there are rumours of a cure beyond the barricades and walls of soldiers―the manifestation of a nation’s terror. Dunka, the eldest son of a family reeling from the Grey, leaves Pilam to find that cure for his siblings and save them before it’s too late.
When the Black Cats join their capone to “punish” a fellow student, they have no idea the terror they are about to unleash.
When Simon, a student at Buscan University, awakens from a dream covered in blood, he has no idea he has become a puppet in the hands of a vengeful spirit.
When the police are called to investigate heinous murders on a university campus, they have no idea they are up against something more sinister than their eyes can see.
Different worlds collide in this chilling novel that blurs the lines between justice and revenge.
CONCLUSION:
As teenagers navigate the ups and downs of adolescence, it’s not uncommon for them to experience feelings of isolation. Ensuring they have access to books that resonate with their struggles, emotions, and experiences is essential. We trust that our curated list will assist you in selecting the ideal reads for your secondary school teenager, offering them the validation and connection they need during this transformative phase of life.
We’ve teamed up with Zilla to offer you the convenience of splitting your payment into four interest-free instalments for any of the books featured on our list. This flexible payment arrangement ensures you can indulge in your favourite reads without worrying about added financial strain.
About the Writer: Precious Obiabunmo is a graduate of English and Literature at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. She’s the Digital Content/Community Manager at Kachifo Limited. Connect with her on LinkedIn
