Akim Aliu: Dreamer
Written by Akim Aliu
and Greg Anderson Elysée
Illustrated by Karen De la Vega, Marcus Williams
Published by Graphix
Akim Aliu — also known as “Dreamer” — is a Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian professional hockey player whose career took him all around the world and who experienced systemic racism at every turn. Dreamer tells Akim’s incredible story, from being the only Black child in his Ukrainian community, to his family struggling to make ends meet while living in Toronto, to confronting the racist violence he often experienced both on and off the ice. This is a gut-wrenching and riveting graphic novel memoir that reminds us to never stop dreaming, and is sure to inspire young readers everywhere.
Primary ISBN: 9781338787610
Publication Date: February 2023
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Graphic Memoir, Age 12 or older
Community Represented: Nigerian/Nigerian American, Ukrainian/Ukrainian American
Themes: Canadian Connection, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Immigration Status, Discrimination: Language Ability, Discrimination: Racial, Graphic Novel, Multiracial Identity, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Sports, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Physical Assault
Setting: Ukraine, Canada (Toronto)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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