Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree

By Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Viviana Mazza | Publisher: HarperCollins

About the book

Based on interviews with young women who were kidnapped by Boko Haram, this poignant novel by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani tells the timely story of one girl who was taken from her home in Nigeria and her harrowing fight for survival. Includes an afterword by award-winning journalist Viviana Mazza. 

A new pair of shoes, a university degree, a husband—these are the things that a girl dreams of in a Nigerian village. And with a government scholarship right around the corner, everyone can see that these dreams aren’t too far out of reach.

But the girl’s dreams turn to nightmares when her village is attacked by Boko Haram, a terrorist group, in the middle of the night. Kidnapped, she is taken with other girls and women into the forest where she is forced to follow her captors’ radical beliefs and watch as her best friend slowly accepts everything she’s been told.

Still, the girl defends her existence. As impossible as escape may seem, her life—her future—is hers to fight for.


  • A Powerful Captivity Narrative: Drawn from the real-life interviews of young women kidnapped by Boko Haram, this novel offers a harrowing and unforgettable look at their fight to survive.
  • Unbreakable Hope: Faced with unimaginable horror, a young girl holds onto her dreams of an education and a future, refusing to let her captors extinguish her spirit.
  • A Test of Friendship: Forced into the terrifying world of a terrorist camp, she must watch as her own best friend begins to believe the radical doctrines they are taught.
  • Social Justice Fiction for Teens: A vital, timely, and necessary read that illuminates the ongoing crisis in Nigeria and the importance of education for girls everywhere.

Editions of Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree

Paperback
ISBN 9780062696731
EBook
ISBN 9780062696748

Read an Excerpt

Based on interviews with young women who were kidnapped by Boko Haram, this poignant novel by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani tells the timely story of one girl who was taken from her home in Nigeria and her harrowing fight for survival. Includes an afterword by award-winning journalist Viviana Mazza. 

A new pair of shoes, a university degree, a husband—these are the things that a girl dreams of in a Nigerian village. And with a government scholarship right around the corner, everyone can see that these dreams aren’t too far out of reach.

But the girl’s dreams turn to nightmares when her village is attacked by Boko Haram, a terrorist group, in the middle of the night. Kidnapped, she is taken with other girls and women into the forest where she is forced to follow her captors’ radical beliefs and watch as her best friend slowly accepts everything she’s been told.

Still, the girl defends her existence. As impossible as escape may seem, her life—her future—is hers to fight for.


  • A Powerful Captivity Narrative: Drawn from the real-life interviews of young women kidnapped by Boko Haram, this novel offers a harrowing and unforgettable look at their fight to survive.
  • Unbreakable Hope: Faced with unimaginable horror, a young girl holds onto her dreams of an education and a future, refusing to let her captors extinguish her spirit.
  • A Test of Friendship: Forced into the terrifying world of a terrorist camp, she must watch as her own best friend begins to believe the radical doctrines they are taught.
  • Social Justice Fiction for Teens: A vital, timely, and necessary read that illuminates the ongoing crisis in Nigeria and the importance of education for girls everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree about?

Based on interviews with young women who were kidnapped by Boko Haram, this poignant novel by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani tells the timely story of one girl who was taken from her home in Nigeria and her harrowing fight for survival. Includes an afterword by award-winning journalist Viviana Mazza. 

A new pair of shoes, a university degree, a husband—these are the things that a girl dreams of in a Nigerian village. And with a government scholarship right around the corner, everyone can see that these dreams aren’t too far out of reach.

But the girl’s dreams turn to nightmares when her village is attacked by Boko Haram, a terrorist group, in the middle of the night. Kidnapped, she is taken with other girls and women into the forest where she is forced to follow her captors’ radical beliefs and watch as her best friend slowly accepts everything she’s been told.

Still, the girl defends her existence. As impossible as escape may seem, her life—her future—is hers to fight for.


  • A Powerful Captivity Narrative: Drawn from the real-life interviews of young women kidnapped by Boko Haram, this novel offers a harrowing and unforgettable look at their fight to survive.
  • Unbreakable Hope: Faced with unimaginable horror, a young girl holds onto her dreams of an education and a future, refusing to let her captors extinguish her spirit.
  • A Test of Friendship: Forced into the terrifying world of a terrorist camp, she must watch as her own best friend begins to believe the radical doctrines they are taught.
  • Social Justice Fiction for Teens: A vital, timely, and necessary read that illuminates the ongoing crisis in Nigeria and the importance of education for girls everywhere.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree?

Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage: Personal and social topics > Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Diversity, equality, equity and inclusion > Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Prejudice and intolerance

Where can I read a sample of Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780062696731

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree?

Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Viviana Mazza

Who is the Publisher of the book Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree?

HarperCollins

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree is available as paperback(ISBN 9780062696731) and ebook(ISBN 9780062696748)

Where can I buy Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree from below

Where can I buy Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree?