For this feature, I curate a small list of books that make me think, “I can’t believe I haven’t read that”. Then, you vote on which book I should read in the following month. I hope that I’ll be able to ‘catch up’ on certain books that I ‘should’ have read ages ago and finally be able to discuss those books with my fellow book lovers.
January’s Result – Root Magic by Eden Royce
Every now and then, I pick up a middle grade book that I read in one day (usually across two sittings, with a meal break splitting up the read). Root Magic was one of those reads. Set in early 1960s South Carolina in a Gullah/Geechee community, a lot of the historical context was new to me. (I hadn’t heard of the Gullah/Geechee people until this book came on my radar.) The story starts off a bit slow and not unlike many middle grade novels – there’s been a recent death in the family and protagonist Jez is having a hard time with bullies at school. But then Jez’s uncle starts teaching her and her brother root magic, passed down through generations of their family.
Root Magic offers a slow burn tale that grows rich and deep as the story progresses. I particularly enjoyed the elements of folk magic, spooky supernatural experiences, and the relationship between Jez and unexepcted new friend Susie. Tensions within the community regarding rootwork (many disapprove of its practice) and outside the community with the white police force also play a notable role in the story. The actions of the police officer terrorizing the community made my stomach drop at times. Recommended to readers who enjoy historical fiction with fantastical elements and don’t mind some scares (both real and supernatural).
July’s Selection
Keeping on with middle grade (because bookstore browsing the other day made me realize how many MG books there are that I was excited about but have yet to pick up!), July’s theme is popular middle grade. I selected the titles by sorting my Goodreads to-read-middle-grade shelf by number of ratings, then picking the first four titles that prompted the “can’t believe” feeling.
- When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller (12,864 ratings)
- Took: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn (8,855 ratings)
- Nightbooks by J.A. White (6,974 ratings)
- The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell (6,913 ratings)
Which book should I read in July? Vote on the poll below or by leaving a comment on this post. (I can’t tell who voted on Twitter, so if you’re really keen you can vote in the comments AND on Twitter!) Voting closes on 24 June.
I’ll vote for When You Trap a Tiger. I haven’t heard of any of them but they all have such gorgeous covers (but perhaps The Wolf Wilder as a winter read?)
Adding my vote for When You Trap a Tiger! Tae Keller is one of my all-time favorite MG authors.
Thanks Jessica! I’ve got a hold in transit for it now 🙂