This book is one of my most treasured quick reads. It was once a JAMB recommended text, I think in the year 2017. It eminds me so much of my childhood and high school days as well. It was a pleasure reading this for the umpteenth time this evening.

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A. H. Muhammed's Last Days at Forcados High School is a novella that describes the journey of some teenagers in their final year in high school. The novella captures teenage struggles, family issues, betrayal, loss, school administration flaws, insecurities and true friendship.

The story revolves around Jimi and the entire Solade family which comprises of Femi - their eldest son who stays abroad, Wole - their second son who is the black sheep of the family, Jimi - their youngest son who is in his final year in high school and their parents.

Efua, a beautiful girl got expelled from her previous school and joins Forcados High School in final year is another major character. The students find this very odd and they think she's a dummie, she's equally not very friendly so they despise her and name her 'The Witch'. She's entrusted into the hands of a fellow student who was once her classmate in primary school though they barely remember each other.
Few months into the school, a new teacher was introduced to the final year students. She is a corp member. Efua soon gets into trouble as notes from her diary was photocopied and distributed all over the school. People thought she had a sexual relationship with the new female teacher and it caused a scandal. To make matters worse Jimi didn't believe her, no one did. She became isolated and lonely. To make situations worse, her mum doubted her to and called her a harlot.

Jimi on the other hand is the star boy of the school. Handsome, athletic and smart, who wouldn't love him right? Efua was that person. But sooner they became good friends. Everyone knew him to be a really cheerful kid but deep down he was miserable.

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Having a dad who is hot tempered and barely available, who equally felt money was the answer to everything, his eldest brother was abroad and wanted nothing to do with the elder brother - Wole, Wole who is the black sheep of the family. Got expelled from two different schools and got expelled from the university too, falsified his dad's signature and made away with lots of money, indulged in different hard drugs and doesn't really care about what his father thinks of him and there was his poor mother always being blamed by his father for how Jimi's elder brother turned it. She was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer and died later. This affected Jimi's grade, mood and overall behavior.

As though Karma heard Efua's cries. Jimi got into trouble. The science laboratory equipments were stolen and it was a clean robbery. Jimi had a spare key that he couldn't find and the rest became history. The rest of the novella reveals what true friendship is as Efua, though once betrayed by everyone, decides to be different. Will they all make it out of school? Will anyone get expelled? (I've given enough spoilers so I'll leave you to figure out what happened in the book).

Through the book I learnt to not judge people based on the things I hear about them and to value my friends much more. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartwarming highschool novella filled with great moral lessons.

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Interested in some more of my reviews? Kindly click the links below.

Book Review - Season of Crimson Blossoms

Book Review: Sally Thorne's The Hating Game

Hearts Like Yours - A book that touched my mind and soul

Book Review - Romance of Digi Diaz

The Alchemist: More Than a Story of a Young Shepherd

^{I'm just an addicted reader, looking forward to promoting more books by African writers while reviewing books from foreign writers as well. If you need book recommendations or want to know which books I've read, I'll implore that you visit my blog weekly for some interesting updates.}

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