Annaka

by Andre Fenton

Annaka has always hated her first name. That's why, when her mother packed her up at age seven and moved from Yarmouth to Halifax, she decided she would go by Anna. Now Anna is back in Yarmouth after the death of her beloved Grampy, and sorting through memories from her younger self. She discovers a journal Grampy gifted her years ago; it is filled with snapshots of a happy childhood: sketches of Nan braiding Anna's hair on the porch, stories about road trips Anna and Grampy took in his antique truck, and memories of her best-kept secret, who also happened to be her best friend.

When she finds out her childhood imaginary friend, Clay, is not only real but waiting for her to return to Yarmouth, Anna also discovers that Clay can transport her into those journal entries. Maybe physically reliving memories can help with her Nan's Alzheimer's. Maybe Anna will finally piece together who her absent father is. Maybe she will discover the identity of the mysterious "other Annaka" scribbled in her Grampy's handwriting.

With more questions than answers, Anna learns the danger of dwelling in the past—especially when it forces her to confront some uncomfortable truths. If there's one thing this bittersweet homecoming has forced her to do, it's reconcile who she was with who she is becoming. It turns out that's hard to do when you have changed a lot, but the place that raised you remains unchanged.

From the celebrated spoken-word poet and author of Worthy of Love comes a YA novel about family, identity, and reclaiming the past.

Genres: Canada, Fiction, Young Adult

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2020

Reviews

[Tom Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and heartfelt love letter to childhood, memory, and the people and places that mean home.

[Michelle Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book Andre has written, and both are original and unexpected in completely different ways. Annaka shares important lessons about processing grief and holding on to the past too tightly told in a fantastical way. I enjoyed the characters and the magic and just flew through it. Like Worthy of Love, I think this is a great book for young adults and a beautiful tribute to small town Nova Scotia.

[Lily Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, it is an amazing mix of magical elements, a riveting coming of age story touching on the struggles of growing up, losing touch with childhood, and reconciling those changes and friendship, imagination, and compassion. I couldn't put this book down, and it will definitely be one that I read again and again.

[maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book felt like the rough copy of a novel that has to be revised a few more times before publishing.

It sounded like at some points THE AUTHOR wasn’t even sure of the plot, wasn’t sure what was going to come next. The novel ended with so many loose plots that haven’t been tied off and so many characters that were just forgotten about towards the last few chapters.

Can we talk about how Fenton uses what he wants from alzheimer’s and bereavement but doesn’t actually show what it’s like to go through having a family member with alzheimer’s and suffering from bereavement?
Bestie having someone you know have alzheimer’s isn’t just “Oh my! Grammy forgot my name!”, it’s watching them so they don’t accidentally setting things on fire, or walking out into the streets at night and not remembering how to get back.
Annaka mentions grief after loosing Clay (and even after loosing Grampy) and then she moves on in the next paragraph? Bereavement is so much more than that and miss girl is just choosing which parts of this are aesthetic enough to fit into the novel. If you’re going to use these as plot point you can’t just pick and choose which parts you like. Smh

Also this whole “other Annaka” plot? A complete mess of a plot. Apparently she’s Grampy’s sister who died when Grampy was seven but then the author says the “other Annaka” was our Anna’s aunt. I’ve asked other people about this and the only other argument that’s come up is that the “other Annaka” is Anna’s GREAT aunt. Which is basically saying the author did shoddy work and didn’t put in the ounce of effort needed to mention that, which by the way I don’t even know is true or not because the author NEVER MENTIONED IT.

The only thing I will remember about this book is Anna shitting on Halifax every chance she gets.

[Sacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. I’ll post that review upon publication.

Updated 7/1/20

3.5 stars

Anna, formerly known as Annaka, learns at the start of the novel that there has been a death in her family. This upends not just her emotional state but also every other aspect of her life, and it becomes the impetus for a very unusual brand of self-reflection.

I love how creatively Fenton treats the ideas of grief, processing, death, and moving forward. Annaka's struggles seem - in MOST ways - extremely realistic and relatable, and any teen (or reader in general) who has experienced loss or uncertainty about aspects of their identity will appreciate the way Annaka operates here.

This part verges on spoiler-y:
My main source of conflict is Clay. I think that Clay is a fantastic character, and I love what he represents. Since I try to avoid spoilers in all cases, I'll be vague and say that I did not like Clay's move from internal to external. Clay went from a riveting symbol of Annaka's mind and struggle to a paranormal entity appearing for some kind of shock value, and I found this distracting and disappointing for the remainder of the novel.

Fenton presents a creative and engaging portrait of the aforementioned themes, and I am excited to read more from this author.

[Brian Conrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book with no expectations. I generally have little interest in young adult fiction; but I like the fact that it was by a local author and thought the synopsis on the back made for an imaginative story. Before I knew it, I was halfway through the book. Andre Fenton has a very good, very readable writing style and knows how to tell a story. For a guy, he does an excellent job writing female characters. I loved the little twists and turns his narrative takes.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: Andre is a friend of mine who I love deeply.
That said: this book is an impressive work of YA magical realism and I hope more people read it because they 100% should!

[Digitally Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alicia-
The book is about a young 16 year old girl named Annaka (who goes by Anna), taking place in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Anna deals with a lot of things, like the death of her grandfather, her grandmother losing her memories, being back in her hometown, her old imaginary friend Clay, and her real friends from high school, and much more.

Annaka by Andre Fenton, was a beautiful read. It's very nicely written, and very heartfelt. The ending was beautiful and sad. I did notice some grammatical mistakes and editing errors, but besides that the book was an amazing heartfelt read with a beautiful plot. I recommend this book to anyone who hasn't given it a try.

I rate this book a 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
________
Ariela- Annaka is a 16 year old girl from Halifax Nova Scotia, who moves back to her home town after 9 years. When she gets back, she finds herself attending the funeral of her Grampy, and looking after her Nan who is slowly starting to lose her memory. She also has two friends back in Yarmouth. Her best friend Tia… and her imaginary friend, Clay, who came to life through the journal entries she wrote all those years ago. Clay can take her back to those journal entries, back to happier times. Annaka’s journey through self-discovery takes her all the back to the past, where she finds out about another Annaka from her Grampy’s memories.

“This is me-finally learning to loosen my grip of the past, and create something new. I knew these moments would become memories, and I would never be alone. Even if we are temporary, I was going to live in this moment, and allow myself to seek something new. I let those thoughts guide me, as we ran beneath the bleeding sky, we knew the stars would heal.” ~Annaka Brooks

Annaka is a really great read, full of emotions, and flashbacks, and imagination. There are a few swear words though, I don’t see why people feel the need to use swear words in a normal everyday conversation, but here we are. 😑

5/5 stars, would recomend, it’s very good,

[Elouise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book

A touching story of family, memories, and seeking the future.

Annaka is in eleventh grade in Halifax when her grandfather dies of a heart attack in a small town in Nova Scotia. Annaka hadn't been back to her grandparents' house in years, and among the things she left behind are the journal her grandfather gave her and her imaginary friend, Clay. When Annaka's grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, doesn't remember her, Annaka finds her old journal, bringing back memories of her imaginary friend -- who isn't imaginary after all. Annaka, Clay, and Annaka's friend Tia try to bring Annaka's grandmother's memories back using the journal and Clay's special abilities, but as they find out more secrets Annaka starts to learn that sometimes the past must be left behind so that there can be a future.

Annaka is stubborn, emotional, and demanding, but she is the kind of character I could care about. And I did. Her struggles with grief, her mother, and changing schools felt real, and she grew throughout the book in a way that is always satisfying to see. She is half African-Canadian and half white, which helps give her depth and makes her stand out from the clichéd feisty girls that are so popular in YA books. The characters are really what drive the story, and they make it worth it.

The writing could be better; especially at the beginning it feels a bit clunky. I wanted to tell the author to show me things instead of telling me. Annaka is frustrated? Why isn't she slamming doors, or clenching fists, or showing frustration? There was also a bit of an information dump at the beginning; Annaka's past didn't come out naturally. It felt like a debut book. But the mix between memories and the present was well done, and all in all it was an enjoyable read. Worth my time, but it could be better.

Note: there is a fair amount of swearing. Annaka attends a party where her friends get drunk, and later visits a bar where men are drinking. Annaka's mother was never married, and Annaka never met her father. Alzheimer's and dealing with grief are major themes.

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so relatable and yet so magical and mythical it checked so many boxes for me in what I like about a book.

My first read of Andre Fenton's, I was delighted he challenged himself (or maybe it wasn't a challenge at all) to write it from a young girl's perspective. Losing her grandfather, and in many ways her grandmother at the same time, the timeline shifts from now to then and back again.

Reminding me of a beloved show "GhostWriter", a character in this book was her journal itself, which was actually passed down from her beloved grandfather. The relationships expressed, the mystery and the realization that the past and future do not construct the present are wise and wonderful.

This book came at just the right time for my son and me to help us grieve and rejoice.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about Annaka is that it shows young people acting with integrity and care for one another through difficult situations. Andre Fenton respects his characters and allows them to move through conflict in an honest and human way, portraying a teen drama we don't see as often - a quieter, more introspective one.

[Sue Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Home was where the magic was, and Yarmouth was a place of magic for me. A place where my grandfather built me a tree house and I could stay up there all night looking at a sky illuminated by the stars. A sky that looked like it was full of freshly lit matches.”

Annaka by Andre Fenton was our first selection for the newly formed Kindred Spirits, Across the Miles Book Club, and what a magical and memorable selection it was!

Annaka is 16 years old and grew up in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia playing in the tree house that her grandfather built for her, visiting Cape Forchu Lighthouse with him in his antique truck, writing in her journal that he gave her, and playing with her imaginary friend Clay. She left that all behind when her mother moved to Halifax, taking her with her.

Now, almost 10 years later they are back in Yarmouth to attend her grandfather’s funeral and to look after her Grandmother who has Alzheimer’s. Just after arriving back, Anna, as she prefers to be called now, finds the journal that her grandfather had given her with all her childhood memories in it. She opens it up and finds out that her imaginary friend, Clay, is not so imaginary after all, and all this time he has been waiting for her to return. “Don’t freak out quite yet.” After waiting all these years Clay has learned a few neat things that he can do with her journal, but he is also upset at being left behind and at Annaka not coming right back as she had promised.

What a wonderfully written, heartfelt, coming-of-age novel! Annaka, who describes herself as a seeker, learns some truths that were hidden from her and as she struggles with grief, she discovers that she can’t change the past and all she can do is attempt to be better in the present. Andre did very well writing a story from the perspective of a female and I will add, that a box of tissues should be handy as you finish this novel.

[ATLANTIC BOOK REVIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure what took me so long to read Andre Fenton's ANNAKA, but thanks to my membership in the newly formed "Kindred Spirits Across the Miles Books Club" it got bumped to my latest read and I am so glad it did.
The author's use of a a journal as a contributing character is brilliant. As an avid journal keeper I could completely identify with giving the journal a voice. The journal in this story becomes a powerful bridge between generations by giving knowledge of the past to bridge the space left by grief and unshared history. As if a journal is not enough, the author puts the journal in the hands of an imaginary friend and gives the lead character the chance to re-visit, remember and leave behind that childhood part of her for good.
Initially the lead character, ANNAKA, has come to hate her name because of its difference. Through the journal she and her grandfather shared she learns of the significance of the name, its origin and importance. She embraces her name.
The author has dealt with two very difficult subjects, death and Alzheimers. With empathy and sensitivity that both young and old can relate to. It shines through in the language. "I wasn't read for a memory that didn't remember me."
My favourite quote takes place in a conversation between ANNAKA and her grandfather before his death - "Your imagination will get the best of you" Grandpa says. "No, it is the best of me" I say. ANNAKA's imagination is exactly what helps her through the difficulties she faces throughout the poignant coming of age story.
How beautiful the scene when a mother, whose memory is rapidly failing, remembers her now grown daughter as a girl - "That sounds like my daughter. Showing the world she has a universe inside her."
There were tears as I finished reading this book. I felt heartbroken for so much lost innocence. But I also felt hope and joy and the beauty of memory no matter how fleeting. Childhood is such a short period of time and many big things happen to ANNAKA along her way to becoming a young person.
The Author's ability to dal with big feelings, hard knocks and the joy and sorrow of being part of a family plays out beautifully. A story that will resonant with young and old alike.
A five star read.

[Jonine Bergen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annaka is a story about identity and living with the past. Annaka returns to Yarmouth after 10 years away for her Grampy's funeral. While there, her mother tells her that they are going to have to stay for a while because Nan has Alzheimer's and needs help. Annaka has great memories of Halifax but also wants to move on with her life and plans in Halifax.
Moving home is hard. Clay, her childhood imaginary friend, is angry that he has been stuck waiting for her for the last 1o years. He is able to take her back to relive her memories and some of the memories of her grandfather. With this ability they start to unravel some of the family secrets that haunt the family. Who was her father and why isn't her mother willing to talk about him? Is Annaka named after someone and who was that person to her grandfather? Can returning her grandmother's memories cure her Alzheimer's?
I liked the development of the character of Annaka and Clay plays a very important role in the novel and definitely has his own character. But, I felt the arc of the narrative was weak and the ending was unsatisfying. Great idea and great cast of characters!

[Wren Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annaka has successfully rekindled and restored my love for reading. It's lit a fire in my soul to read again, to write again and to see the world anew. I cried (a lot), I laughed, I remembered and I imagined. A perfect blend of nostalgia and angst for what's yet to come. I think it's unique in the way that it spoke to my inner child as much as it spoke to the current me- somebody who has a lot of healing left to do on the horizon. This book absolutely nails every aspect of what I'd hope to find in a book; many things I didn't even know I would love! The fantasy aspect was new for me but was done beautifully and in a way I didn't question authenticity even during scenes that are out of this realm. Through Annaka I was able to grieve and appreciate so much. This book can be enjoyed by all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Truly a special novel. I can't wait to embark on more journeys lead by the imagination and talent of Andre Fenton.

[Jane Doucet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel has all of the "feels"—loneliness, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, regret—but overriding all of them is love for family. I haven't been a teenager in decades, and I'm not African Nova Scotian like the main character, Annaka (although like her I'm also from Yarmouth, and like her Grampy, my father taught school there for more than 30 years), but I could still relate to many of her real-life experiences, especially those revolving around family and the desire to fit in and belong. Adding a fantasy element to the premise adds a whole other dynamic dimension to the multi-layered plot. Kudos, Andre!

[Victoria Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I started reading “Annaka”, I was immediately drawn into the world that Andre has created. The emotions felt by the characters are very relatable, and I found myself drawn to a lot of the characters. This is one of the rare novels that made me feel all kinds of emotions. As someone who has had a family suffer from dementia, I found Andre did an excellent job showing what Alzheimer’s/dementia is like and how it impacts a family. Very well written, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new novel to read!

[Becky Skillin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting to read a local author who speaks to youth in a realistic voice. Science fiction, surprises, and life truths all rolled into one. Honestly works through grief, generational sacrifices that are misunderstood at first, and forgiveness within the confines of everyday experiences.

This brand new release is worth the trip to Open Book Coffee or your local bookstore. I’m very excited to see Fenton’s work take a new turn.

[Jorja Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It had lots of fun moments while keeping the seriousness of the story line. It was relatable as I have lost a few grandparents as well. I did have a few cries while reading this book. I enjoyed Anna’s friend Tia. I thought she was a great character as she is silly and supportive. I rate this book a 4/5.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5