By Joyce Efia Harmer (author)
"Highly original debut novel which uses a timeslip device to illuminate the legacy of slavery"
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June 2023 Debut of the Month
At once a thrilling historical adventure, a harrowing account of life on a brutal Barbados plantation for our heroine Obah and an excoriating examination of the legacy of slavery on our society today.
Both how far we have come in a technological sense and yet how little progress has been made in terms of equality or reparation. This is achieved through the clever use of a timeslip device which links the plantation to its wealthy owner’s heirs living in the UK today. Descendants who wish to make amends and think they can do so by rescuing Obah from life in 1834 and bringing her to the twenty-first century.
This may not have been the first intention of Jacob when he travels to the past in order to understand the family legacy, but he cannot stand by and leave her at the hands of the brutal overseer.
We then skilfully get to see our society through Obah’s eyes, and her confusion and dismay is both amusing and shocking. Obah gets to witness racism and injustice and we can all see why she chooses to return to lead a slave rebellion in her own time. Obah’s voice just leaps off the page and the reader is gripped from the first sentence.
Both worlds are vividly and convincingly evoked as is the logic of the timeslip device. A really thought-provoking novel that will inspire lots of valuable discussion around important themes of equality and justice and will be a really valuable addition to any school library.
From debut author, Joyce Efia Harmer, comes a groundbreaking YA story of friendship and freedom that crosses continents and centuries, in a timeslip novel exploring the legacy of slavery.
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Sometime, me love to dream that me is a human, a proper one, like them white folks is.
Enslaved on a plantation in Barbados, Obah dreams of freedom. As talk of rebellion bubbles up around her in the Big House, she imagines escape. Meeting a strange boy who's not quite of this world, she decides to put her trust in him.
But Jacob is from the twenty-first century. Desperate to give Obah a better life, he takes her back with him. At first it seems like dreams really do come true - until the cracks begin to show and Obah sees that freedom comes at an unimaginable cost . . .
Both hopeful and devastating, this powerful novel about equality, how far we've come, and how far we still have to go introduces an extraordinary new literary voice.
'A powerful exploration of racism, solidarity, friendship, freedom and hope' Laura Bates
'One of the most impressive young adult debuts of the year. This gripping novel takes a nuanced look at the legacy of slavery, injustice and inequality in today's world' Observer
'Both hopeful and heartbreaking, this gripping book turns a searchlight on the changing faces of injustice through time' Guardian
'A brilliant idea and a powerful debut' The Times, Children's Book of the Week
'A seriously impressive debut. Read it now' Irish Times
'A powerful, ambitious, unforgettable read about freedom, rebellion, love and hope' Liz Hyder
'A gut punch of a debut, this book is both vital reading and a call to arms' Laura Wood
'Compassionate, brave, authentic, educational. Everyone should read it' Abiola Bello
Joyce Efia Harmer was born in London to Ghanaian parents. She has a BA in English Language and Literature at King's College, London and went on to teach English. In 2016, Joyce was selected as one of six writers to take part in the Megaphone writer's scheme to support diverse voices in Children's Literature. In 2017, she was selected as a finalist in Penguin's WriteNow scheme. She lives in London with her husband and two sons. How Far We've Come is her debut novel.
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Interesting, original, thought-provoking - this book tells the story of Obah and Jacob. What would a Black slave from 19th century think of the 21st century? What difference can descendants of slave owners make?
What an interesting and original read. It really made me think and I would totally recommend this book. It follows the story of Obah, a Black slave working on a plantation in Barbados in 1834. One day she meets a White boy, Jacob, from… the future!!!! Jacob has found a way to travel back in time from the present day and is horrified by what he sees and how Obah is treated. Jacob begs Obah to travel back to the future with him. She doesn’t want to leave her friends, but finds she is forced to flee and takes up Jacob’s escape route. At first, Obah is delighted by a perceived equality in the modern world and is desperate for her friends to join her in the future. However, she begins to realise all is not what it first seems.... Read Full Review
An interesting book to make you think and feel all the emotions - a rollercoaster of emotions to make you question things and appreciate the people in your life.
This is an unusual book that takes you on a wild ride through a world, different but similar to ours, about people and their feelings! The story follows different characters and how they deal with problems life throws at them. The writing is intense and you will feel connected to the people, experiencing everything they are going through.... Read Full Review
This book is a heartbreaking tale of sorrow and hope, teaching important lessons to readers in the modern day.
How Far We’ve Come is a story of hope and of sorrow, it highlights the issues we in the modern day face and see as simple facts of life. It teaches that although we believe that our society is much better than the past, people still face many injustices and issues which are just as damaging as those faced by those who came before us.... Read Full Review
From debut author, Joyce Efia Harmer, comes a groundbreaking YA story of friendship and freedom that crosses continents and centuries, in a timeslip novel exploring the legacy of slavery. Sometime, me love to dream that me is a human, a proper one, like them white folks is.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed How Far We've Come and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
How Far We've Come features in the following genres: Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Historical Fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
How Far We've Come was written by Joyce Efia Harmer and published by Simon & Schuster Children's an imprint of Simon & Schuster UK
How Far We've Come has 317 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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