Braids Take a Day by Zainab Boladale
Uncovering secrets is like undoing braids, one at a time… Abidemi can’t wait for summer, her last one at home in Ennistymon before she heads off to college. She’s ready to say goodbye to school, spend some time learning new braids and hairstyles – and see where things go with her friend Jack. But when she meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, secrets start to unravel.
Suddenly Abi’s life and family are changing and she needs to think hard about who she wants to be …
Uncovering secrets is like undoing braids, one at a time… Abidemi can’t wait for summer, her last one at home in Ennistymon before she heads off to college. She’s ready to say goodbye to school, spend some time learning new braids and hairstyles – and see where things go with her friend Jack. But when she meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, secrets start to unravel.
Suddenly Abi’s life and family are changing and she needs to think hard about who she wants to be …
Uncovering secrets is like undoing braids, one at a time… Abidemi can’t wait for summer, her last one at home in Ennistymon before she heads off to college. She’s ready to say goodbye to school, spend some time learning new braids and hairstyles – and see where things go with her friend Jack. But when she meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, secrets start to unravel.
Suddenly Abi’s life and family are changing and she needs to think hard about who she wants to be …
About the Author
Zainab Boladale is a journalist, TV presenter and public speaker. She was born in Nigeria and raised in Ireland. In 2017, she made her TV debut on RTÉ’s children’s programme, news2day, as the first Afro-Irish woman on Irish TV news. On news2day, she presented stories from around the world to the young people of Ireland. Zainab now travels around the country as a presenter and reporter for Ireland’s long-running factual feature programme, Nationwide. Zainab has also written and directed a first short film, Worthy, which debuted on the film festival circuit in 2023. This is her first book. You can find out more about Zainab on Boladale.com.
Praise for Braids Take a Day
“artfully intertwines themes of cultural exploration and self-discovery … one of the novel’s strengths lies in Boladale’s use of braiding as a metaphor for life, weaving together strands of culture, femininity and autonomy … Braids Take A Day celebrates the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit, urging us to embrace new adventures while honouring our essence and heritage”
- Inis Magazine, reviewed by Suchismitta Dattagupta
“A coming-of-age story featuring Nigerian-Irish culture, it’s Boladale’s first book and is an intriguing read, as Abi’s family secrets are gradually revealed to both Abi and the reader. First love, teen parties and braids!”
- Sarah Webb
“follows the story of Abidemi Benson, a black Irish woman on the verge of adulthood who embarks upon a summer of self-discovery after completing her Leaving Certificate. The novel weaves themes of friendship, romance and independence together with strands of African and Irish culture”
- Irish Times' Magazine, Lauren Murphy
“Boladale’s coming-of-age debut perfectly captures rural Irish teenage life along with the complicated emotions and search for identity that come with that final summer between secondary school and college”
- Irish Examiner
Publisher: The O’Brien Press
Date Published: 26 August 2024
Paperback, 240 pages
ISBN: 9781788494427
