Eden Royce
HarperCollins, 2021
336 pages
Grades 4-7
Fantasy/Mystery
It is not easy to be African American in Jezebel's small southern island community in the early '60's--and even worse to be a member of a family of root workers, who use the magic of their ancestors to heal and fight evil spirits. After Grandma dies Jez and her twin Jay are bereft. One bright spot is that Ma and Uncle Doc agree to start teaching them "root", which Jez takes to right away. Having skipped a grade in school, Jez has no friends and is thrilled when a new girl sits with her at lunch. Her new friend helps defend Jez when the mean girls harass her, but is the new girl hiding secrets? Why doesn't she ever invite Jez to her house? Further complications arise as a local sheriff makes it his business to hassle the family for their race and magic working. As the novel continues Jez solves the mystery of the true identity of new friend, the whereabouts of her missing father, and taps into abilities she didn't know she possessed.
Seeped in atmospheric creepiness, Root Magic explores the poverty and racism of the Jim Crow rural south. People relied on the superstitious magic of the past to solve all of life's woes. Jez's family is trying to eek out an existence both financially and to safely avoid enemies-both human and of the spirit world. As Jez learns magic, her confidence grows and she learns to face her bullies and find her place in the world. Although this is a book with social themes, as well as of mystery and magic, it is at its core a friendship story about loyalty and trust, as Jez navigates her first real friendship, that goes a bit off the rails. The story is expertly written and very descriptive. Readers will feel as if they are visiting Jez's family as they turn the pages. One complaint is that it feels a bit longer than it needs to be, especially for young readers. The story is engaging enough that it should hopefully keep their attentions despite the books length and the ending is a satisfying payoff for those who persevere.
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