SOLVED. Illustrated Novel/Graphic Novel loosely based on Alice in Wonderland, but with African American characters. [s]

[Kota]

I read this book in maybe 2006 and borrowed it form some library. There were two african american kids, a little brother and the big sister maybe around 12 ish years of age. They lived in this apartment building and there was also an old african american woman in the building too. At some point the big sister meets the old lady and she learned that the book "Alice and Wonderland" was about the old lady and she in fact was Alice, but the author changed Alice into a white girl for marketing purposes and the author also changed the name of the world to Wonderland because the actual name of the world was too weird. Incidentally, I'm pretty sure that the name of the world is the name of the book, but I can't remember it. So "Wonderland" wasn't actually the nice place that the book made it out to be, there was so much more danger and people didn't rhyme just for fun. At some point the little brother gets kidnapped by a sorcerer who I think was from the other world. I think he gets kidnapped at a carnival? And the big sister somehow gets to the more dangerous "Wonderland" to find her little brother and I guess adventures happen. I can't really remember anymore. I feel like the name of the book/name of the world had a "z" in it. Like Alabazad or Balbazad or something. I read this so long ago and it was the first book in a series that I never got to finish. It's been bugging me for years and I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

[Natasha]

Bumping because this sounds interesting! Was it a book for kids? Can you remember anything about the illustrations (style of drawing, colors, etc)?

[Kris]

The Magic Token: A Journey with Alice in Wonderland by Eugene Orlando turned up while searching, but the heroine meets Alice in Wonderland.

[Kota]

It is a book for kids and the pictures were in colour. I can't remember if it was an actual graphic novel with only pictures or if there were some text parts and some panels in between the text. The drawing style was pretty detailed too. Ugh I wish I remembered more...

[Kota]

Kris wrote: "The Magic Token: A Journey with Alice in Wonderland by Eugene Orlando turned up while searching, but the heroine meets Alice in Wonderland."

I checked out the Magic Token and unfortunately its not it, but thank you so much for looking Kris :)

[Erica]

Is it Alice by Whoopi Goldberg? I've never read it (but I want to now, sounds great and I love Whoopi!), but it has a black main character and is based on Alice in Wonderland. :) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

[Lisa]

Abadazad The Road to Inconceivable

[Kota]

Lisa wrote: "Abadazad The Road to Inconceivable"

THIS IS THE BOOK!!!! Omg thank you sooo much Lisa!! You've put 10 years of headaches to rest. You're amazing!

[Lisa]

Kota wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Abadazad The Road to Inconceivable"

THIS IS THE BOOK!!!! Omg thank you sooo much Lisa!! You've put 10 years of headaches to rest. You're amazing!"
You're welcome.