Root Magic by Eden Royce

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers! There's some very good middle grade books being released lately and I'm happy when I can share them.  Thanks to Walden Pond Press I was able to read this story early in exchange for an honest review. From the time I heard the word Gullah I was interested in reading more.  Like many children of the 90s I watched Gullah Gullah Island as a child without realizing how important the representation on that show was. I just knew that family on the show was the first time I ever saw myself in a series. The family was Black like mine, the dad had an accent unlike anything I heard in my neighborhood and my parent's had accents, they loved song and dance just like my family did. It was when I got older I learned that the Gullah are a real group of people and the movie Runaway Island put them on my radar. So all that being said I was very interested in reading this story since the author Eden Royce is Gullah-Geechee.

Root Magic is set in 1963 and follows young Jezebel Turner who is turning 11 and entering sixth grade. While her twin brother Jay has no problems making friends that's not the case for Jez.  Her peers who often ostracize her because of her family's connection to root work leaving her to feel inferior and be a bit of a longer. Skipping a grade and starting school with new kids is hard enough especially after the recent passing of her Gran. Now Uncle Doc has also decided Jez and Jay should begin lessons in root work. 

This book sends an important message about connecting with your ancestry. Root work has such a stigma against it and that's not shied away from in this story. But we do get to hear from Jez and her family why their work is important and how it's helped heal their community. We also explore the importance of preserving Gullah culture especially the language. Jezbel's mother did not want to teach her and Jay because she wanted them to assimilate based on the experience she had as a child.

Since this is the 60s this book also touches on assimilation in the schools and it's affect on the community and police brutality which is sadly still a very relevant topic. Deputy Collins and those like him are causing trouble for the root workers in their community and at time the family feels powerless. There is some violence that this book doesn't shy away from because it's important we remember what happened in the past. And we shouldn't be ashamed of our past or hide in fear from it.

I also enjoyed the sibling dynamic between Jez and Jay. It had some good commentary on how Black boys are treated vs Black girls. Jay has a lot of friends at school and people think root work is cool when he's doing it. However with Jez she's called a witch and some girls from her class bully her constantly. 

Eden Royce does a great job of describing South Carolina's low country in the 60s. You can almost smell the salt marshes and taste the food the area has to offer. The supernatural elements blend in subtly with the non magical elements. There is a strong sense of community among the people who live near the marshes. 

Rootwork is a controversial topic but this story handles misconceptions about it. To quote Eden Royce, "Rootwork is not a religion. It's a spiritual and magical practice who traditions have been passed down either in families or to apprentices who have sough training."

I recommend this for a strong reader because it is a little lengthy and slower paced.  Even though so much is happening in their lives and in some ways they do have to grow up Jez and Jay still balance being regular kids. I do think this book would also be a great addition to school curriculum for grades 5-7.