The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi

Moderator---Shellie

Meet Jessamy Harrison, an eight year old girl who is living with her parents in England.  Her mother was born and raised in Nigeria and her father is British. The time has come for the family to visit Jess's mother Sarah's Nigerian family and the three go to father and grandfather, Gbenga Oyegbebi's, home.  But Jessamy has special problems.  While reading about Nigeria, her excitement had grown so much, she had trouble with a febrile illness almost showing up again.

Jessamy is a lonely child and, while in Nigeria, she meets a friend she calls TillyTilly.  She hates leaving her to go back to England but Tilly says her family is moving there.  Back at home, Jess is excited that she finally has made a friend with a girl her age and they can have sleepovers.  She is also very happy to have Tilly show up at her door and will also be a part of her life again.  With their friendship back on track, TillyTilly wants to help Jessamy get even with anyone who has wronged her.  This makes Jess uneasy as does much of what TillyTilly is doing and she is getting blamed for it. Tilly also tells Jessamy she had a twin who died at birth.  Jess's family had never told her about her sister, Fern. 

Though Jessamy thought originally she found a true friend with TillyTilly, it is clear she doesn't like and won't meet Jess's friends and family.  It takes a while but Jessamy realizes that Tilly is invisible to everyone and only she can see her.  The other thing Jessamy starts believing is that TillyTilly wants a physical body and needs Jess's.  Tilly has the supernatural power to make it happen.   

This 2005 novel is Helen Oyeyemi's first novel.  She completed it at the age of 19.  This the third book in our 'girl' reading choices.  Oyeyemi's background of being born in Nigeria and raised, since childhood in London plays well with the story.

English/Nigerian International dinner:

KFC of course!  (It's everywhere.)
crispy chicken, mashed potatoes corn
and biscuits with Hershey kisses

"Okay but nothing I would read again.  Ending left me hanging.
Tilly-Tilly was not defined."---Shellie

"Is she real?  Is she a figment of Jess's imagination?
We still don't know."---Kim