Book Review: Six Strange Stories by A.H. Mohammed | African Children’s Fiction

Age Range: 9–13 years Genre: Children's Fiction Themes: Bravery, family, identity, heritage

If you have ever tried to find an African children's book that is genuinely scary, rooted in familiar West African landscapes, and filled with characters who feel like real kids from your neighbourhood, Six Strange Stories by A.H. Mohammed might be exactly what you have been looking for.

In one hundred and sixty-five pages, A.H. Mohammed delivers six distinct stories set across Liberia, Nigeria and London. Boys and girls take centre stage in each story as they face three kinds of fear: the mystical, the tangible and the emotional. The book is best suited for readers aged nine to thirteen. Younger children may find the themes difficult to fully appreciate, while older readers may have moved beyond some of the preoccupations the characters deal with.

What the book does well

The writing is clear and the transitions between scenes flow naturally. A.H. Mohammed uses italics to signal the sounds characters hear and the thoughts running through their minds, a small technique that makes it very easy to follow the action. His depictions of sibling rivalry and teasing will feel instantly familiar to young readers, and that sense of recognition is one of the book's quiet strengths.

The narrative voice in each story is one of the most refreshing aspects of Six Strange Stories. Rather than presenting events in a detached, stiff manner, Mohammed's narrators comment on what is unfolding as though they are thinking alongside the reader. In Of Twins and Sprites, for example, the narrator remarks on the consequences of siblings quarrelling in a way that feels like a knowing nudge rather than a lecture.

The book also represents the African context with care and confidence. Village settings sit alongside urban ones, and both feel authentic. There are references to West African superstitions, goblins, dwarfs and friendly witches that connect to African Traditional Religion, giving the stories a distinctive cultural texture that is rarely found in children's fiction of this kind.

Six Strange Stories is genuinely educational. Children encounter themes of racism, socio-economic difference, historical conflict and autism woven naturally into the narrative. These are subjects many young readers may never personally experience, but the book introduces them in a way that builds empathy and awareness.

The cover illustration deserves a specific mention. It does an excellent job of previewing the spirit and atmosphere of the pages that follow.

A few things to consider before buying

Parents and educators should be aware that The Stories of Suah, the most intense of the six, explores war, the afterlife and separated families. Its scenes of sad ghostchildren are dark and may be distressing for more sensitive readers. This story, morethan the others, would benefit from adult guidance or at least a parental note at the start.

There's Something About Ade, the most engaging of the six, contains a moment where a school-age boy asks a girl to be his sweetheart. While no romantic relationship develops from this, it is worth noting for parents who prefer to guide those conversations themselves.

A.H. Mohammed's command of English is strong and his vocabulary ambitious, but some words, including aghast, simian, seance, gabbled and simperingly, may leave younger or less advanced readers confused. A short glossary at the back of the book, or brief in-text explanations similar to the one Mohammed uses for the word smorgasbord in There's Something About Ade, would make the book accessible to a wider age range.

One small note on illustrations: the full-body image of the guardian sprite in Of Twins and Sprites appears before the character has been fully described in the text. Moving it a few pages later would better match the reading experience to the visual.

Our overall assessment

Story: The Stories of Suah contains scenes that may be too unsettling for the younger end of the recommended age range, which keeps the score from being higher.

Language: The prose is lively and well-constructed, but the use of advanced

vocabulary without explanation is a missed opportunity.

Cultural relevance: The stories depict African traditional values, parenting styles and religious beliefs with realism and nuance.

Educational value: The book introduces children to racism, socio-economic realities, historical wars and autism in an age-appropriate and meaningful way.

Our recommendation

Six Strange Stories is an enjoyable, culturally rich and thoughtful collection that stands out in the African children's publishing landscape. Muna Kalati recommends it for publication and distribution on condition that a sensitivity note is added to The Stories of Suah, advising parents or guardians that the story contains intense themes that may not be suitable for all children within the recommended age range.

With that addition, Six Strange Stories earns its place on the shelves of classrooms, libraries and homes across the continent and beyond.

Reviewed by: Elikem Hotor