Gr 3 Up—After her grandmother passes away, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, get the opportunity to learn the root
magic that their family is famous for. These lessons come in handy as Jez is faced with opposition in many forms,
from the racist deputy who harasses her family to the dangerous spirits that live nearby. This story's focus on family
traditions, friendship, and being true to oneself will both delight and inspire.

Starts very slow. So slow that I thought about DNFing it but didn’t, and I’m glad that I finished it. It picks up towards the end and finishes strong. I feel it’s an important story to tell, but it may lose some people because the plot doesn’t show up until the end of the book. ( )

Lots of fascinating information about root magic, but much of the book read like an instruction manual rather than a narrative. ( )

Things that impressed me about this book:
No shying away from terrible things (police brutality, racism in the 1960s, grief, prejudice against magic, isolation and loneliness)
A LOT happens in the book, but the pacing is steady throughout
I know very little about Gullah-Geechee heritage and this book drops the reader into it and shares that background effortlessly
It's a complicated story, but really engaging and the scary parts are well delivered and tempered to be not as scary
Love the family relationships, the Sheriff who wants to help, the twins themselves, Jezebel's strong spirit ( )

This was exquisite middle grade historical fiction, steeped in cultural richness. Eden Royce does an incredible job depicting the folk magic and spirituality of the Gullah people. And, you can just feel the South Carolina low country jump off the pages, with references to plough mud and sweet grass baskets. The author is so clearly connected to her culture and upbringing.

I loved the sibling relationship between Jez and Jay, and the focus on family history and ancestral knowledge in this book. There is some important commentary on police brutality, racism, and the Civil Rights movement as well, portrayed in a way that makes such topics accessible to middle grade audiences. Additionally, this will 100% appeal to the many kids who enjoy books that have horror or ghost stories.

I thought this was a brilliant read, and I can’t recommend it enough- to older middle grade readers, teens, and adults alike. ( )