If Not This Dream

More about the book

Set against the backdrop of Charleston, this novel follows Zaki II, a Hausa-American boy determined to fulfill his ancestor's dream. Mentored by Thomas Biggs, the last descendant of his family's slave-owning past, Zaki navigates life at a prestigious school while forming a close bond with Paula, a senator's daughter. Their relationship faces societal tensions as Zaki excels in football and music, and Paula shines as a ballerina. The story explores themes of love, identity, and the complexities of race and heritage through their intertwined lives.