Reaching for the Stars

After learning that dreams can come true, Adoma waits patiently for her sixth year of birth so she can start school, just like her brothers did. Yet, on that fateful day, her father's words cut her like a knife. Despite the pain, Adoma, a resilient spirit, knows not to question her father. She hides her tears and prays silently that her hand can soon reach her ear when stretched from the top of her head. Unable to contain her excitement when her hand finally reaches her ear, Adoma searches for her father to give him the good news. Finally, she hears the bitter truth, a stark contrast to her dreams. "We raise our sons to be responsible men who can provide for families, and we raise our daughters to be humble wives who will attend to their husbands and care for their children." Torn by her father's decision, Adoma turns to the only person she knows will understand: her grandmother, a beacon of comfort and understanding in her life. A compelling story set in the 1950s coastal town of Elmina on the Gold Coast of Africa.