Binti: The Complete Trilogy

• Genre: Fiction; three science fiction/fantasy novellas
• Originally Published: 2015
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 11-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 3 novellas; 14 chapters; approx. 368 pages; approx. 2 hours, 30 minutes on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: Binti, a young Earth woman of the ethnic group Himba, becomes involved in intergalactic conflict between rival groups when she leaves her home to study at the prestigious Oomza University.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Violence; death; murder

Nnedi Okorafor, Author

• Bio: Born in 1974; an American writer of Nigerian descent; writes for children, middle graders, teens, and adults; explores in her stories Africanfuturism and Africanjujuism (terms Okorafor coined to describe her work), the supernatural, dystopian and sci fi/fantasy settings and plots, and African myths, culture, and history; also explores social justice and gender topics, especially through young female protagonists; holds a doctorate in literature
• Other Works: Zarah the Windseeker (2005); Akata Witch (first in the Nsibidi Script series; 2011); Lagoon (2014)
• Awards: Hugo Award (2016); Nebula Award (2016); Nommo Award (awarded by the African Speculative Fiction Society; 2017)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• The Social Construction of Gender
• The Intricacies of Race
• Growth as the Key to Survival

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the cultural and literary contexts regarding Afrofuturism and the bildungsroman genre that inform the nature of Binti’s character development.