Tamika Katon-Donegal and Andre Santana narrate a complex family drama in a unique mash-up of magic and Afrofuturism. In the 1980s, as Cinnamon Jones struggles with the recent suicide of her brother, she's reading a book he gave her about the journey of a West African warrior woman and an alien who perform in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Cinnamon discovers a connection between the book and her own family history. Katon-Donegal shoulders the bulk of the narration with aplomb. Shifting amid a variety of accents and characters, she anchors attention to the imaginative and empathetic tale and imbues the story with heart and wonder. The dual narration in two time frames, coupled with the story's compelling rhythm, provides a sense of discovery as evocative phrases seem to pop in listeners' ears. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
![Will Do Magic for Small Change](http://img.images-bn.com/static/redesign/srcs/images/grey-box.png?v11.9.4)
Will Do Magic for Small Change
Narrated by Tamika Katon-Donegal, Andre Santana
Andrea HairstonUnabridged — 17 hours, 47 minutes
![Will Do Magic for Small Change](http://img.images-bn.com/static/redesign/srcs/images/grey-box.png?v11.9.4)
Will Do Magic for Small Change
Narrated by Tamika Katon-Donegal, Andre Santana
Andrea HairstonUnabridged — 17 hours, 47 minutes
Audiobook (Digital)
Free with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime
Already Subscribed?
Sign in to Your BN.com Account
Related collections and offers
FREE
with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription
Overview
Cinnamon Jones dreams of stepping on stage and acting her heart out like her famous grandparents, Redwood and Wildfire, but she's always been theatrically challenged. That won't necessarily stop her! But her family life is a tangle of mysteries and secrets, and nobody is telling her the whole truth.
Before her brother died, he gave Cinnamon The Chronicles of the Great Wanderer-a tale of a Dahomean warrior woman and an alien from another dimension who perform at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Theirs is a story of magic and alien science, but the connection to Cinnamon's past is unmistakable.
When an act of violence wounds her family, Cinnamon and her theatre squad determine to solve the mysteries and bring her worlds crashing together.
Editorial Reviews
★ 04/18/2016
Hairston (Mindscape) brews up a potent blend of West African religion and history, magic, science fiction, theater, and the life of one Pittsburgh teen in the 1980s. The curtain opens with Cinnamon Jones at the funeral for her half-brother, Sekou, who has died of an overdose and left her as the Guardian of a book called simply The Chronicles, which gives the history of the Wanderer. The Wanderer is an extradimensional being who first materialized in embattled Dahomey, a kingdom in West Africa, in 1892, and whose story is gradually revealed to Cinnamon as she reads the book. Three years later, she introduces two other teens, Klaus Beckenbauer and Marie Masuda, to The Chronicles; they read it together and resolve to reunite the aspects of the Wanderer that have been scattered. The three adolescents discover love and mystery while being supported by Sekou’s shade and the spirit-filled elders of Cinnamon’s family. The glory of West Africa’s orishas pulses off the pages, as does the weird power of the Wanderer, an unusual take on an alien life form. The entire work is filled with magic, celebrating West Africans, Native Americans, art, and love that transcends simple binary genders. Hairston’s novel is a completely original and stunning work. Agent: Kristopher O’Higgins, Scribe Agency. (June)
[A] beautifully multifaceted story...with deep, layered, powerful characters. Highly recommended.” —The New York Times
“This is one of those books you start and realize you've been waiting to read for a long, long time without knowing. Will Do Magic for Small Change is a deep breath, a good friend, a heartbreaking, game-changing, life-affirming, truth-telling powerhouse. I love this book.” —Daniel José Older
“Andrea Hairston's vision is breathtaking. She weaves sweeping historical narratives and mythology with the wisdom of the elders, and shines light on the pressing issues of the day. In her hands language is a blessing, and the familiar and the fantastic become magic, one and the same.” —Sheree Renée Thomas
“The entire work is filled with magic, celebrating West Africans, Native Americans, art, and love that transcends simple binary genders. Hairston's novel is a completely original and stunning work.” —Publishers Weekly
“This book glitters with West African magic, unconventional love, and creatures you won't forget.” —BuzzFeed
“This book’s lyrical language and unsparing vision make it a mind-expanding must-read.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review on Master of Poisons
“This is an urgent, gorgeous work.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review on Master of Poisons
Master of Poisons voted a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020
07/29/2022
Hairston (Redwood and Wildfire; Master of Poisons) writes a magical coming-of-age story. The novel was first independently published in 2016 and is now getting picked up by Tor.com. Beginning in 1980s Philadelphia with the overdose of Cinnamon's brother, Sekou, readers follow Cinnamon's grief and discovery as she struggles to keep her brother's gifts and memory safe from her mother's anger and sorrow. Sekou was guardian to the story of the Wanderer, an alien who first came to Earth in the late 19th century, arriving in Africa. Guardians keep stories alive—including those of the Wanderer, who gains power from being remembered. Alternating between Cinnamon's and the Wanderer's stories, the novel is a rich exploration of a young Black girl finding friends and purpose. The novel also beautifully focuses on the idea that remembering and telling stories keeps people alive. The text is sometimes dense, but Hairston's novel is a provocative reading experience that confronts current societal issues. VERDICT This new edition is recommended for public libraries and readers who have an interest in African history and science fiction and who missed the book when it came out as an indie.—Danielle Williams
Tamika Katon-Donegal and Andre Santana narrate a complex family drama in a unique mash-up of magic and Afrofuturism. In the 1980s, as Cinnamon Jones struggles with the recent suicide of her brother, she's reading a book he gave her about the journey of a West African warrior woman and an alien who perform in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Cinnamon discovers a connection between the book and her own family history. Katon-Donegal shoulders the bulk of the narration with aplomb. Shifting amid a variety of accents and characters, she anchors attention to the imaginative and empathetic tale and imbues the story with heart and wonder. The dual narration in two time frames, coupled with the story's compelling rhythm, provides a sense of discovery as evocative phrases seem to pop in listeners' ears. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940175102148 |
---|---|
Publisher: | Recorded Books, LLC |
Publication date: | 10/11/2022 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
Videos
![](/static/img/products/pdp/default_vid_image.gif)