Akilah's best friend Victoria returns after a long family trip to Nigeria, her native land. But Victoria has changed. She hardly speaks, doesn't smile or laugh, and she sits apart from the other kids at recess. Akilah tries her best to draw Victoria out. Then Victoria finally tells Akilah how her mother and aunts took here to a doctor in Nigeria who cut out her "raisin" to "stop the feeling," a customary surgery performed on all proper Nigerian girls. Akilah promises to keep Victoria's secret but her mother figures it out. Her mother's outrage to right a wrong inspires Akilah and Victoria to write and online letter to girls everywhere explaining the atrocity of the practice.

The sensitive, and mostly unknown, subject of female circumcision is addressed as 10 year old Akilah struggles to understand why her outgoing friend Victoria has become withdrawn after a recent trip to Nigeria. Over 2 million girls are mutilated each year, and Williams-Garcia uses tact and facts to explain why its done, as well as show its repercussions on the young girls forced to undergo this ritual in the U.S. and other countries. ( )

No Laughter Here is a story of two young ladies who are true friends. Victoria and Akilah consider themselves true friends rather than “best friends” unlike most girls. Victoria is in Africa for the summer, the two friends have promised to write each other all summer. Akilah is at her wits ends waiting to hear from Victoria. She analyzes what she wrote because she still hasn’t heard from Victoria. Akilah’s parents finally give in and take Akilah on a road trip to visit their family. The family enjoy themselves and a discussion about spankings comes up. Akilah’s mother refuses to spank her child, and is against her family members spanking their children. The family returns and Akilah is returning to the fifth grade. Victoria’s family has returned from Nigeria, and she can’t wait to see her friend . Akilah is concerned because her friends is acting strange. Although the friends sit in silence Akilah is too happy to care. Victoria is no longer herself, and she is fed up with Akilah prying her for answers. Finally she tells Akilah that she can no longer make her laugh. Akilah accepts Victoria’s request reluctantly. Then out of the blue Victoria makes Akilah promise not to tell the secret she is about to share with Akilah. Akilah promises, and Victoria shares with her that she was forced into a traditional ceremony that caused extensive pain when she used the restroom. Her mother had a doctor perform the ceremony illegally and put Victoria to sleep when the circumcision took place. When Victoria woke up she had no idea what had just taken place. She was in horrible pain and would no longer be the same. Akilah was horrified and now understood Victoria’s empty stares, and silence. She became silent with her. Akilah begins to get into trouble and is suspended from school, as she was standing up for Victoria. She is on punishment, and cannot tell why she is in trouble because it would require her to tell the secret. She is banned from all media and amusement. Then she decides that she will look up educational information of what Victoria had shared with her. Then her mother walks in and is horrified at what she sees on the screen. She knows exactly what is going on and takes Akilah across the street where Victoria lives. Then she ask Victoria’s mother if she hurt Victoria. Finally they are asked to leave and are no longer welcome over. Akilah doesn’t see Victoria at school anymore, and also stops talking to her mother. There is a breakthrough with Akilah and her mother as she finds out that her mother was getting help for her friend. Victoria returns to school, and they are back to giggling and laughing, although they know that things will never be totally the same. ( )

What teens say:

Gripping subject. Good “my story” at the beginning. Does a good job of presenting both sides of issue while clearly taking a side. Inconsistent application of black dialect.

This was eye opening. It made me look at the things that other cultures think are a must. Very well written and it showed both sides of the picture. ( )

This was a hard book to read. On one hand I wanted to like this book for taking on a tough issue which as the author points out is an issue that affects many young girls aged 8-12 because there are no books written to address FGM written for this age group, but at the same time it would be hard to recommend this book to someone because of its serious subject matter. However, I did like that in addition to tackling FGM the book also tackled the issue of when to tell a secret that a friend made you promise not to tell. ( )