On the ice, Akim Aliu could skate toward a dream that felt bigger than any rink. Off the ice, he kept running into people who tried to tell him where he did and did not belong. This powerful graphic memoir follows Aliu from his childhood as a Nigerian-born, Ukrainian Canadian kid to his rise through competitive hockey, where talent, toughness, and hope had to face racism, bullying, and unfair treatment. Readers see the pressure of chasing a professional sports career while also carrying the weight of being singled out again and again. Honest, intense, and visually immediate, Akim Aliu: Dreamer is a sports memoir about courage, identity, and speaking up when silence would be easier. It is a strong choice for readers who want true stories about athletes, activism, and the fight to make a beloved game better for everyone.
130 Pages
