Black Star

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of racism, including enslavement. 

Nana shares a story about foreigners and invaders coming to Africa. They tried to fight the white people, but they had resources like guns. Soon, they stole people and put them on slave ships. Nana and his cousin, also named Kofi, were on the same ship. Their ship was destroyed in a storm. Nana and Kofi had to swim in the ocean for their lives.

Charley tells Willie this story of Nana’s capture. He asks many questions and then says that they should learn about this history in school. Willie thinks that he wouldn’t have survived like Nana did.

For their team, Juju and Plum can play. They now have five members. Berry isn’t allowed since her parents don’t want her playing rough. Willie thinks it’s okay not to have Plum since they don’t need more girls. Charley points out that she’s a girl, but he knows she’s different and special.

Nana reads poems from a magazine. One poem describes rivers, and every time he reads that word, he smiles.