Kwame Crashes the Underworld

Winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award

*Deluxe paperback with blue stained edges*

Discover a stunning middle grade fantasy about a boy hurled into the Ghanaian underworld to help his grandmother save humanity, perfect for fans of Tristan Strong and Amari and the Night Brothers.

Twelve-year-old Kwame Powell isn't ready to deal with losing his grandmother, even as he and his family head to Ghana for her celebration of life.

He's definitely not ready when he's sucked into a magical whirlpool that leads straight to Asamando, the Ghanaian underworld. There, he comes face to face with his grandmother, who is very much alive, and somehow still...a kid? Together with his best friend, Autumn, and a talkative aboatia named Woo, Kwame must battle angry nature gods, and stop the underworld from destroying the land of the living.

But there's an even bigger problem: Only living souls can leave Asamando. In order to save the mortal world and return home, Kwame will need to find the courage to do the bravest thing of all -- learn how to say goodbye.

***

Praise for Kwame Crashes the Underworld:

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

★ "A grand tale, funny and terrifying in turns, steeped in Ghanaian spirituality and folklore, and wrapped around themes of identity, obligation, true friendship, and devastating loss." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "This swashbuckling, supernatural adventure into the land of Ghanian mythology will have all readers (and especially fans of Rick Riordan Presents titles) craving more. Highly recommended." -- School Library Journal, starred review

"Brimming with laughter, joy, and beautiful messages about grief, hope, lost loved ones, identity, and the ancestors, Kwame Crashes the Underworld rattles the spirit. Kwame Powell is a much-welcomed hero to the canon of children's books." -- Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times-bestselling author of The Marvellers and The Memory Thieves

"Craig Kofi Farmer brings to life the myths of Ghana with heart, humor, and cinematic flair. I wish this book had existed when I was a child. I dare readers not to let Kwame Powell into their hearts." -- Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times-bestselling author of Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting

Author: Craig Kofi Farmer
Publisher: Square Fish
Published: 09/09/2025
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.78lbs
Size: 7.58h x 5.29w x 0.95d
ISBN13: 9781250394736
ISBN10: 1250394732
BISAC Categories:
- Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy | General
- Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, Fables | African
- Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational

About the Author
Craig Kofi Farmer is the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning author of the middle grade novels Kwame Crashes the Underworld and A Method for Magic and Misfortune. Craig grew up in Prince George's County, went to Towson University for his Bachelor of Science degrees, and earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He currently works in student affairs, helping college students achieve work-life balance and self-actualization. When he's not writing or working, he's exploring Baltimore City, analyzing superhero movies, watching psychological thrillers, and deciding exactly what he's going to eat that day.