Root Magic

Written by Eden Royce

Narrated by Imani Parks

“A poignant, necessary entry into the children’s literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. Add in a fun, magical adventure and you get everything I want in a book!” —Justina Ireland, New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation

Walter Dean Myers Honor Award for Outstanding Children's Literature! A Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner!

Debut author Eden Royce arrives with a wondrous story of love, bravery, friendship, and family, filled to the brim with magic great and small.

It’s 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won’t stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with a bunch of new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven— and their uncle, Doc, tells them he’s going to train them in rootwork.

Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations—especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family’s true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs…and not a moment too soon. Because when evil both natural and supernatural comes to show itself in town, it’s going to take every bit of the magic she has inside her to see her through.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jan 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063064416

Eden Royce

Eden Royce is a writer from Charleston, SC, now living in the garden of England. Her debut novel, Root Magic, was a Walter Dean Myers Award Honoree, an ALA Notable Children's Book, a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner, and a Nebula Award Finalist for outstanding children’s literature. She is also a Shirley Jackson Award finalist for her short fiction for adults. You can find her online at edenroyce.com.

Reviews for Root Magic

[Katie McNeece · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Part historical fiction, part spooky and richly descriptive. Definitely made for the upper tier of middle grade though, 12 and older. Great narration, too!

[Chanel Brown · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I know this book is for children, but I really enjoyed the writing. I wish I had stories like this when I was a child.

[saifaz2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this was a great great great great book because it really makes readers eager to read this book '-'

[Marvin Scarborough · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. Wow, wow, wow! I love this book, nine words.

[Shayla Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was recommend to me by a friend. This book gets to the root about what root work is and isn’t. It gives a clear view on inner workings and spiritual connections we have to spirit and nature.

[bookofsecrets · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reading ROOT MAGIC was such a joy — can I give it more than five stars? The protagonist, 11-year old Jezebel Turner, is a mighty and memorable middle grade heroine. Set in South Carolina in 1963, the story follows Jezebel as she begins to study rootwork, a tradition passed down from her Gullah ancestors.

Root magic is misunderstood by many to be something evil, but her Uncle Doc is teaching her the good ways it helps the community. She must use her newly developed powers to save herself and her family from malevolent forces threatening them, and not just otherworldly ones.

There’s so much I loved about this book, and Jezebel is such a relatable character. What stood out for me in particular was the message of friendship and discovering it in someone unexpected. The story was suspenseful and creepy at times, which kept me glued to the pages. The ending chapter was so moving, and of course, I was sad to see it end! I would love to read a sequel about Jezebel and her family, and find out what their futures hold.

[inky_fingers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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

[christianr_899499 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jezebel's grandmother has just died. Her rootwork kept their family safe, so with her passing Jezebel and Jay's Uncle Doc begins to teach them rootwork. The 1960s are a dangerous time to be African American in South Carolina, but other African Americans treat rootworkers badly even though many in their families might also take advantage of the potions that Doc makes. Jezebel's only friend turns out to be a boo-hag, an evil creature, but Jezebel helps her to get back to her family. In turn, that good deed comes back to save the family.

[lynnmpk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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

[amyghilton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a fantastic read for pre-teens. While steeped in history and African-American folk magic, it also tackles tough issues facing children today, such as bullying and racism.

I really enjoyed learning about the Gullah culture. The author did a wonderful job. I hope she continues writing children's fiction.