Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkaf (Paperback)

Middle Grade Fiction - Fairy Tales & Folklore - Fantasy & Magic - Ages 8-12

Published: 8-12

A Malaysian spin on Little Red Riding Hood from the critically acclaimed author of The Girl and the Ghost, Hanna Alkaf.

Courage is the strongest magic there is.

On Hamra's thirteenth birthday, she receives nothing but endless nagging and yet another errand to run in the Langkawi jungle that looms behind her home.

No one has remembered her special day.

And so, stifled and angry, Hamra ignores something she shouldn’t: the rules of the jungle.

Always ask permission before you enter. Hamra walks boldly in.

Never take what isn’t yours. Hamra finds the most perfect jambu and picks it.

Of course, rules exist for a reason, and soon an enormous weretiger is stalking her dreams, demanding payment for her crimes—and Hamra embarks on a quest deep into the jungle to set things right.

For fans of Ikegna and A Tale Dark and Grimm comes a story of a brave heroine, a beguiling villain, fantastical worlds, magical adventures, and a journey that will remind you that hope, friendship, and love endures all.

AUTHOR BIO: 

Hanna Alkaf is the author of several books for kids and teens, including The Girl and the Ghost, Hamra and the Jungle of Memories, and the upcoming Tales from Cabin 23: Night of the Living Head. Hanna lives in Kuala Lumpur with her family and can be visited at hannaalkaf.com.

"[Hamra and the Jungle of Memories] questions what it means to be human, what happens to those who are not the hero of the story, and what it means to pay debts and take care of your community... This fresh take on Little Red Riding Hood is a necessary purchase for libraries and fantasy shelves." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

A retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" that manages to both feel distinctly Malaysian and capture and interrogate contemporary concerns, this is a tale of family, friendship, and sacrifice. Both mature and whimsical, demonstrating how magic and modern-day anxieties can intersect. -- Kirkus Reviews

"[A] riveting jungle adventure by Alkaf, a "Little Red Riding Hood"-inspired Malaysian fantasy... Creatures from Malaysian mythology appear throughout, adding texture and imbuing the girls' tale with peril. Alkaf employs lively prose alongside Hamra and Ilyas's dynamic personalities and earnest friendship to deliver a tale about sacrifice, perseverance, and the enduring bonds of love." -- Publishers Weekly

This is an immersive story, exploring loss, grief, and vulnerability as core human experiences. Thoughtful readers will likely contemplate the weight of being human long after they finish the novel -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

With her beautiful, poetic prose, Hanna Alkaf is here to tug at heartstrings yet again with this adventure full of rich cultural legends that also poignantly captures the feeling of loss in a post-COVID world. -- Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Hanna Alkaf's writing is a dream in the best possible way. Her words will transport you deep into the jungles of Langkawi, side-by-side with a heroine who reminds us that honoring ourselves is just as important as honoring those we love." -- Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times Bestselling author of Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting