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samantha_randolph 's review for:
Bayou Magic
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
4.5/5 stars
Short and Sweet:
I loved this magical middle grade set in the bayou! I highly recommend for anyone who favors The Princess and the Frog Disney movie.
To Elaborate…
I stumbled onto BAYOU MAGIC when I was browsing in Barnes and Noble, and I have no idea how I’ve missed this author. I love middle grade books, and Jewell Parker Rhodes has not only written several, she’s also received awards for them. She even has a book releasing next month, TOWERS FALLING (set 15 years after 9/11), which I’ve heard next to nothing about. I’m so glad I picked this one up because I’m officially a huge fan, and I want to read the rest of her works.
This story follows Maddy, the last of her sisters to spend a summer with her Grandmère in the bayou. While Maddy is worried she’ll miss the city, she starts to fall in love with the community, fireflies, surroundings, and magic of the bayou. While adventuring with a new friend, Maddy sees a mermaid. Her grandmother explains the history of magic in their family, involving African culture, and Maddy will be the one to carry on the magical legacy. However, something bad is on the horizon, and Maddy must find strength, courage, and kindness to help.
While it took me a few chapters to get used to the writing style (short, quick sentences), I soon fell in love with this atmospheric tale of magic, history, and community. Maddy is smart and easily likable, and the way she sees the world is fascinating. Her conversations with her grandmother, and all of her family members, are moving, often hilarious, and sweet.
One of the big issues explored in this book is environmentalism, something I’m very passionate about. The bayou is threatened by an oil rig immediately, but the story also reflects the bigger picture of some of the destroyed and lost land. There is an immense respect for the land, air, and water in Maddy’s new community, and you can feel their pain when that physical community is under harm. Rhodes has a lovely author note at the end that goes into a little more detail, and it’s very beautiful and heartbreaking.
If you enjoy a bayou setting, firefly and mermaid magic, and a close community feel, then I would highly recommend this quick middle grade read!
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/06/review-bayou-magic-jewell-parker-rhodes/
Short and Sweet:
I loved this magical middle grade set in the bayou! I highly recommend for anyone who favors The Princess and the Frog Disney movie.
To Elaborate…
I stumbled onto BAYOU MAGIC when I was browsing in Barnes and Noble, and I have no idea how I’ve missed this author. I love middle grade books, and Jewell Parker Rhodes has not only written several, she’s also received awards for them. She even has a book releasing next month, TOWERS FALLING (set 15 years after 9/11), which I’ve heard next to nothing about. I’m so glad I picked this one up because I’m officially a huge fan, and I want to read the rest of her works.
This story follows Maddy, the last of her sisters to spend a summer with her Grandmère in the bayou. While Maddy is worried she’ll miss the city, she starts to fall in love with the community, fireflies, surroundings, and magic of the bayou. While adventuring with a new friend, Maddy sees a mermaid. Her grandmother explains the history of magic in their family, involving African culture, and Maddy will be the one to carry on the magical legacy. However, something bad is on the horizon, and Maddy must find strength, courage, and kindness to help.
While it took me a few chapters to get used to the writing style (short, quick sentences), I soon fell in love with this atmospheric tale of magic, history, and community. Maddy is smart and easily likable, and the way she sees the world is fascinating. Her conversations with her grandmother, and all of her family members, are moving, often hilarious, and sweet.
One of the big issues explored in this book is environmentalism, something I’m very passionate about. The bayou is threatened by an oil rig immediately, but the story also reflects the bigger picture of some of the destroyed and lost land. There is an immense respect for the land, air, and water in Maddy’s new community, and you can feel their pain when that physical community is under harm. Rhodes has a lovely author note at the end that goes into a little more detail, and it’s very beautiful and heartbreaking.
If you enjoy a bayou setting, firefly and mermaid magic, and a close community feel, then I would highly recommend this quick middle grade read!
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/06/review-bayou-magic-jewell-parker-rhodes/