Mbalia uses a three-part form for his featured story, “The Griot of Grover Street.” The tale appears in three sections of the book and helps set up the other stories. Like his Tristan Strong series, this magical story features figures from West African and African American folklore and culture, such as the griot (storyteller) who whisks young Fortitude Jones to a strange galaxy.

Source: Washington Post September 21, 2021 06:46 UTC