Carnival Curves

In this joyful and thought-provoking YA novel about self-acceptance, friendship, and the power of cultural tradition, two teens experience their first Toronto Caribbean Carnival in their last summer of high school.

As the two best friends, one from a conservative Nigerian family and the other a Jamaican-Canadian, prepare costumes to dance in the Carnival parade, they confront questions of body image, relationships with young men, and the transition to the world beyond high school.

But through the shimmer of sequins and the pulse of music, they also uncover the deeper roots of Carnival, and its ties to emancipation, resistance, and pride. As the girls take their place in the parade, they realize it isn’t just a celebration—it’s a journey of self-discovery.

Caribbean Curves is a vibrant addition to YA shelves, offering an authentic and affirming story of identity, empowerment, and cultural heritage that will resonate with teens.