Black Star

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Black Star is the second book in The Door of No Return trilogy. In The Door of No Return, 11-year-old protagonist Kofi grows up in Upper Kwanta, West Africa, in 1860. His tribe defends the Offin River, which provides gold, from Lower Kwanta and foreign invaders known as “wonderfuls” (white men). Kofi spends his days swimming, doing chores, and attending school, where his teacher, Mr. Goodluck Phillip, imposes British culture and language on their native traditions.

Kofi has a crush on his childhood friend, Ama, who defends him when his cousin teases him. Kofi is very close with his grandfather Nana Mosi, who tells him cultural stories, both nonfictional and mythical. He gives Kofi many “riddles” of advice and wisdom, acting as a source of insight and encouragement.

After a confrontation with his cousin, Kofi accepts a swimming challenge to settle their differences. His best friend, Ebo, helps him train for the competition. He practices for the race while the tribe celebrates the King’s Festival, marking a treaty between Upper and Lower Kwanta. At the festival, Kofi’s older brother, Kwasi, competes in wrestling and accidentally kills Prince Yaw. Kwasi is spared from execution but becomes withdrawn, which worries Kofi.

One night, while practicing his swimming, the Lower Kwanta men ambush Kofi and Kwasi. They capture Kofi along with other boys, and they witness Kwasi’s brutal execution. His brother’s death leaves him shaken.

The Lower Kwanta tribe then sells the boys into enslavement to white men nearby. Kofi is taken aboard a ship, where he meets Afua, a woman who comforts the children by telling stories and advising them to stay strong. Though Kofi misses and grieves his family, he holds onto his survival instincts.

On the ship, conditions are harsh, and Afua eventually sacrifices herself to help the children escape. Kofi recalls her lessons as a storm wrecks the ship. Kofi and his cousin escape the wreckage, and Kofi uses his swimming skills to guide them through the ocean to safety. The Door of No Return explores themes of colonialism, survival, and resilience as Kofi navigates loss, betrayal, and hope while enduring a harrowing journey from his homeland.

While the first book focuses on Kofi, Black Star shifts the spotlight to Charley, his granddaughter. Black Star features Kofi—now called Nana Kofi—and his history. Every chapter starts with Kofi telling Charley a story from his past, which summarizes some of the first novel’s plot. The author weaves in Kofi’s history not only to contextualize the series’ events but also as a defining factor of the theme of Generational History and Self-Discovery through Family Legacy. This structure establishes key context and deepens Charley’s generational and cultural history. Using Kofi’s stories also clarifies the ambiguous ending of the first novel, such as how Kofi and his cousin survived in the ocean, the island they washed up on, how they got to the United States, and who they married. Kofi’s stories also provide context on the time that elapsed between the first and second novels.