A spectacular yet sombre collection of four stories revolving around visually impaired characters. Selected and prepared from a sea of 87 submissions from across the continent, these fresh stories are gripping, tender, human, glorious and completely unique. From the acclaimed curator of Selves, The Year of Free Birds is another one-of-a-kind addition to the library of African literature that illuminates a previously forgotten perspective and a previously forgotten people. Join hands with our heroes and anti-heroes as they walk and live and triumph over darkness or succumb to it. Download the full book here: https://www.witsprouts.com/2019/12/20/coming-soon-the-year-of-free-bird/

Navya is an untouchable. Poor, oppressed, and humiliated, untouchables are treated like outcasts. They are considered so inferior, that no one should even touch their shadows! But Navya has had enough...

The first complete, unvarnished history of Southern rock’s legendary and most popular band, from its members’ hardscrabble boyhoods in Jacksonville, Florida and their rise to worldwide fame to the tragic plane crash that killed the founder and the band’s rise again from the ashes. In the summer of 1964 Jacksonville, Florida teenager Ronnie Van Zant and some of his friends hatched the idea of forming a band to play covers of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Yardbirds and the country and blues-rock music they had grown to love. Naming their band after Leonard Skinner, the gym teacher at Robert E. Lee Senior High School who constantly badgered the long-haired aspiring musicians to get haircuts, they were soon playing gigs at parties, and bars throughout the South. During the next decade Lynyrd Skynyrd grew into the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful of the rock bands to emerge from the South since the Allman Brothers. Their hits “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” became classics. Then, at the height of its popularlity in 1977, the band was struck with tragedy --a plane crash that killed Ronnie Van Zant and two other band members. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock is an intimate chronicle of the band from its earliest days through the plane crash and its aftermath, to its rebirth and current status as an enduring cult favorite. From his behind-the-scenes perspective as Ronnie Van Zant’s lifelong friend and frequent member of the band’s entourage who was also aboard the plane on that fateful flight, Gene Odom reveals the unique synthesis of blues/country rock and songwriting talent, relentless drive, rebellious Southern swagger and down-to-earth sensibility that brought the band together and made it a defining and hugely popular Southern rock band -- as well as the destructive forces that tore it apart. Illustrated throughout with rare photos, Odom traces the band’s rise to fame and shares personal stories that bring to life the band’s journey. For the fans who have purchased a cumulative 35 million copies of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s albums and continue to pack concerts today, Lynyrd Skynyrd is a celebration of an immortal American band.

Ellie's country home is visited by many kinds of birds during each month of the year.

The inspiring true story of Malala Yousafzai, human rights activist and the youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, from debut author/illustrator Lina Maslo. Celebrate the power of one young woman speaking up for change with Free as a Bird. This beautiful nonfiction picture book is perfect for sharing at home or in the classroom. When Malala Yousafzai was born, some people shook their heads because girls were considered bad luck. But her father looked into her eyes and knew she could do anything. In Pakistan, some believed girls should not be educated. But Malala and her father were not afraid. She secretly went to school and spoke up for education in her country. And even though an enemy tried to silence her powerful voice, she would not keep quiet. Malala traveled around the world to speak to girls and boys, to teachers, reporters, presidents, and queens—to anyone who would listen—and advocated for the right to education and equality of opportunity for every person. She would shout so that those without a voice could be heard. So everyone could be as free as a bird. Free as a Bird is the inspiring true story of a fearless girl and the father who taught her to soar. A unique way to celebrate the power of a young woman, and to honor a father who strives to let his daughter shine.