Aya: Life in Yop City

Ivory Coast, 1978. ItÆs a golden time, and the nation, too û an oasis of affluence and stability in West Africa--seems fuelled by something wondrous.

Aya is loosely based upon Marguerite AbouetÆs youth in Yop City.

It is the story of the studious and clear-sighted 19-year old Aya, her easy-going friends Adjoua and Bintou, and their meddling relatives and neighbours.

ItÆs wryly funny, breezy account of the simple pleasures and private troubles of everyday life in Yop City.

ClÚment OubrerieÆs warm colours and energetic, playful line connect expressively with Marguerite AbouetÆs vibrant writing.

This reworked edition offers readers the chance to immerse themselves in the lively world of Aya and her friends, bringing together the first three volumes of the series in Book One.

Drawn and Quarterly will release volumes four through six of the original French series (as yet unpublished in English) in Book Two.

Aya is the winner of the Best First Album award at the Angouleme International Comics Festival, the ChildrenÆs Africana Book Award, and the Glyph Award; was nominated for the Quill Award, the YALSAÆs Great Graphic Novels list, and the Eisner Award; and was included on ôbest ofö lists from The Washington Post, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.