Kwame Crashes the Underworld
Kwame Crashes the Underworld
Fiction / Ghana / Ages 8-12
Roaring Brook Press
September 10, 2024
"Twelve-year-old Kwame is hurled into the Ghanaian underworld where he helps his late grandmother save humanity." Publisher
That’s what I’m talking about! Craig Kofi Farmer delivers a thrilling, imaginative, and deeply moving story in Kwame Crashes the Underworld. This action-packed novel follows Kwame Powell, a 12-year-old American-born Ghanaian struggling with grief after his grandmother’s passing and with questions of identity that arise from growing up between cultures.
What begins as an ordinary sleepover at his best friend Autumn’s house quickly spirals into the extraordinary when unexpected events transport Kwame to the afterlife (Asamando). There, he must face not only warring spirits, ruthless warlords, and powerful gods, but also his own internal battles around belonging, acceptance, and self-discovery.
Farmer’s genius lies in how he weaves Ghanaian cultural heritage into the very fabric of the story. In the underworld, Kwame learns to harness the strength of his roots, using ancestral knowledge and traditions as both a weapon and a guide. One of the novel’s most exciting elements is the creative reimagining of Adinkra symbols: transformed into shields, weapons, and protective force fields, they carry the weight of centuries-old wisdom while becoming tools for survival in the heat of battle. The imagery is nothing short of dazzling.
And let me tell you, there is more action in this book than a blockbuster summer movie marathon! Farmer balances fast-paced battles with heartfelt moments of reflection, humor, and emotion, creating a narrative rhythm that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
Beyond its adventure, the novel shines in its exploration of identity and inclusivity. Through Kwame, the story speaks to children of the diaspora who grapple with feeling distant from their heritage while navigating life in other cultures. Autumn’s character adds another important dimension: as a hard-of-hearing girl, she represents the challenges of living in a world that too often excludes or overlooks people with disabilities. Farmer handles her story with care, even weaving in moments of ASL education by describing how characters communicate with her which is a brilliant touch that teaches empathy and awareness without slowing the story down.
The novel also carries a powerful environmental message. Through the voices of the gods and spirits in the afterlife, Farmer highlights humanity’s role in damaging the earth and reminds us of our collective responsibility to protect it. This thread gives the story urgency and relevance, grounding its mythic adventure in very real global concerns.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, but I don’t want to spoil the journey for new readers. What I will say is this: Kwame Crashes the Underworld has it all: humor, heartache, gut-wrenching battles, moments of pure joy, and lessons that linger long after the last page.
For me, this was an unforgettable read that truly transported me beyond this world. Five stars, without a doubt.
Elizabeth Abena Osei, MA
University of Maryland, College Park
Published in Africa Access Review (September 26, 2025)
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