The Finish Line

Published by Iskanchi Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $9.00

About The Book

When a bold young sprinter crosses the finish line, she stumbles into a magical kingdom—where courage, not speed, will carry her to victory.

The Finish Line is a heart-pounding middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of chapter books for 2nd graders, chapter books for 4th graders, and books for 8 year old girls. Mafoya has always been second-best—until she cheats her way to victory in a thrilling track and field race. But her triumph is short-lived when a whirlwind transports her to Musanga Kingdom, a magical world filled with talking animals, mystical kingdoms, and pulse-racing competitions.

In Musanga Kingdom, Mafoya must win three impossible races against cunning creatures—including a talking tortoise and a ruthless lion king—to find her way home. Along the way, she faces tough choices about honesty, friendship, and redemption. Will Mafoya cheat again to survive, or will she discover the true meaning of sportsmanship and integrity?

About The Author

Ayo Oyeku is an Ebedi Residency Fellow and a Human Leadership Fellow. In 2004, he made an early mark when his first children’s book was selected by World Bank (Nigeria) for distribution across libraries in Nigeria.

In 2015, he won the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for fiction. He was shortlisted twice for the Golden Baobab Prize in the Early Chapters category, in 2016 and 2018 respectively. In 2020, he won the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Children’s Literature.

He is a contributor for World Kid Lit and EuroLit.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Iskanchi Press (October 30, 2024)
  • Length: 64 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781957810157
  • Ages: 9 - 12

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Raves and Reviews

Oyeku’s skill as a storyteller shines in this Nigerian folk narrative, blending the modern with the mythical in a style that westerners may compare to Aesop. And like classic fables, the language is accessible to early middle-schoolers, while the narrative is appealing enough to engage a high-school audience.

– Booklist

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