Root Magic

November 1, 2020
An African American tween learns about her family's connection to conjure magic--and human evil--in 1960s South Carolina. Jezebel and her twin brother, Jay, know their family will never be the same following their Gran's death. Their father's unexplained disappearance a few years back is another loss that has yet to heal. Gran was a talented Gullah rootworker whose abilities were sought by some and reviled by others. The local White deputy harasses families who use rootwork even as they are needed for the healing denied by segregated hospitals. Now, Jezebel and Jay are about to learn these skills from their uncle to keep the legacy alive. For the first time, the twins will not be in the same class since Jezebel will skip fifth grade. She becomes the target of bullies but manages to make one friend, a girl new to the school. As the rootwork lessons proceed, the twins become more aware of change all around them, from whispered voices in the marsh to the strange actions of Jezebel's doll. It becomes clear that they have inherited connections to the spiritual world and that they face a very human threat. This richly detailed narrative offers elements of magical realism against a backdrop of social change, presenting a convincing family story and exploring community differences. Although Jezebel is a spirited narrator, Jay and other characters are fully realized. A strong coming-of-age story grounded in a vibrant cultural heritage. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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November 16, 2020
1960s South Carolina comes to life in this middle grade debut filled with magic and heart. Eleven-year-old twins Jezebel and Jay Turner have just lost their grandmother when an unexpected visit from a racist police deputy spurs their uncle, Doc, to begin teaching them how to engage with their heritage through root magic, which offers healing and protection. Jez must also contend with a new school year: she’s been placed in the grade above Jay and must weather her classmates’ taunts alone. It’s only the presence of her doll, Dinah, who is more than she seems, and a strange new girl, Susie, that help Jez navigate the growing distance she feels with her brother and the otherworldly occurrences going on in the marsh behind their house. If Royce occasionally meanders, her depictions of the kids’ daily life and inner strength more than makes up for it. Ages 8–12. Agent: Adriann Ranta Zurhellen, Foundry Literary + Media.

January 1, 2021
Grades 4-8 *Starred Review* It's the summer of 1963 when Gran dies, leaving 11-year-old Jezebel and her twin brother, Jay, to learn and master the family trade--working roots. A practice of healing, protecting, and conjuring magic, working roots holds deep ties to the Gullah Geechee people of South Carolina and their African ancestors, as well as to Jezebel's family and community. Despite her excitement around root work and the thought of protecting her family from the racist policeman terrorizing them, Jezebel knows that it'll only make her more of a target at school, unlike her popular brother. But soon, after a number of run-ins with mystical and spiritual beings, the family finds that the tween's inclination for root magic is stronger than they'd suspected, sparking a confidence and maturity in Jezebel that will resonate with anyone who has been teased for being different. This title adds nuance to textbook lessons about Jim Crow and broadens conceptions of Blackness with rich histories and customs that predate slavery. All the while, themes of friendship and acceptance, family, and the very real pains of outgrowing childhood tether this title to the seams of the heart. Readers will revel in the magic of root work, but, perhaps more important, they'll develop a deep reverence for the practice as they come to understand its groundedness in healing, restoration, and respect for all beings. A must-read for leisure and learning, sure to leave readers wishing for more after the final page.

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March 5, 2021

Gr 3 Up-Eleven-year-old Jezebel "Jez" Turner, who is Black, doesn't fit in. All she wants is a friend. While some people embrace the root magic her family specializes in, others look down on it. Following her grandmother's passing, Jez and her twin brother Jay get the opportunity to learn the root work that has been a part of their family for generations. These lessons and the protection they teach come just in time, as a racist deputy harasses their family and community and all kinds of evil come after them. It's up to Jez to take what she's learned and apply it in a way that allows her to remain true to herself. Though this seems like an overwhelming task, she luckily doesn't have to face it alone. From chapter one, this title immerses the reader in the Gullah Geechee culture of South Carolina, giving readers a look into their funeral rites, spiritual practices, root work, language, and food. Throughout her lessons, Jez proves to be a natural root worker, and though she recognizes the value in her culture's traditions, she also challenges these beliefs in order to decide for herself who her allies and enemies are. In Jez, readers will find a kindred spirit and will relate to her desire to protect her family and the people she cares about, even when it causes her to feel like she has an enormous weight on her shoulders. Readers, like Jez, will learn the importance of sharing that weight with the people who love them. VERDICT A fantastical tale brimming with family traditions, friendship, and #BlackGirlMagic that is sure to be an excellent addition to any library's middle grade collection.-Myiesha Speight, Towson Univ., Baltimore

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