Figgy in the World: All you need is a plan and courage by Tamsin Janu

Omnibus Books, 2014. ISBN 9781742990453.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes Ghana - Social life and customs, Optimism, Family life. Figgy and her per goat Kwame live with her Granma Ama in a Ghanaian village. She has obstacles to overcome, abandoned by her mother, blinded in one eye at the age of two and living with her unusual name Figgy. Her outlook on life is optimistic as she loves to think about and explore her world. When her grandma falls ill and the much loathed doctor is called, the course of  Figgy's life changes. She overhears the doctor discussing the best medicine is available in America and Figgy determines to travel half way around the world to help her grandma. Along the way the travellers meet ten year old orphan Nana whose survival skills help them on their quest to buy medicine in the United States of America.
Tamsin Janu's debut novel is a rewarding read. To write this engaging story she has drawn from her experiences working with children in Ghana. Figgy's optimism carries the story, despite her difficult circumstances the love for her grandma carries her through.
Highly recommended for independent readers from 8 years. A fantastic read aloud for a class novel.
Rhyllis Bignell