Bound To Stay Bound

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 Root magic
 Author: Royce, Eden

 Publisher:  Walden Pond Press, (2021)

 Classification: Fiction
 Physical Description: 336 p.,  21 cm

 BTSB No: 769378 ISBN: 9780062899576
 Ages: 8-12 Grades: 3-7

 Subjects:
 Siblings -- Fiction
 Twins -- Fiction
 Magic -- Fiction
 African Americans -- Fiction
 Gullahs -- Fiction
 Race relations -- Fiction
 Bullies -- Fiction
 Supernatural -- Fiction
 South Carolina -- History -- 20th century -- Fiction
Genres:
Supernatural
Historical Fiction
Family Life

Price: $21.88

Summary:
In 1963 in South Carolina, eleven-year-old twins Jez and Jay Turner begin lessons in rootwork, and their uncle's training offers them healing, protection, and a connection to their heritage even as they face threats from the local police deputy, school bullies, and others.

Accelerated Reader Information:
   Interest Level: MG
   Reading Level: 4.60
   Points: 12.0   Quiz: 510308

Reviews:
   Kirkus Reviews (+) (11/01/20)
   Booklist (+) (01/01/21)

Full Text Reviews:

Booklist - 01/01/2021 *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. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/05/2021 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 - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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