Hoodoo

A Southern Gothic historical horror, Hoodoo is a story of fair and foul folk magic in 1930s Alabama. Hoodoo Hatcher is the only person in his family without a knack for the hoodoo that gave him his name—and that’s a problem, because the evil Stranger is coming for him, and he’ll need all the courage and smarts he can summon to keep himself and his family safe. To me, the greatest joy of this wonderful book is Hoodoo’s distinctive, humorous voice, and Ron Butler brings him perfectly to life in his performance; it’s not easy for an adult to make… show more.

From the first page of Hoodoo I was hooked. There’s mystery, danger, secrets, magic, and an abundance of eerie moments. The spooky setting is so vivid, and you can’t help but become attached to the wonderfully described characters. I love stories with strong friendships and everyday kids who overcome internal and external obstacles to help and save others. Not all heroes have superpowers, and while we may all have issues, insecurities, and fears, we also each have gifts that can be used in everyday life to make a difference.   

This is one of those books that kept me up way past my bedtime. It’s a delicious combination of folk magic, intrigue, and African-American culture in Depression-Era Alabama that grabbed me from page one. The narrator and hero, Hoodoo Hatcher, is one of my all-time favorite middle-grade protagonists, and Smith’s amazingly descriptive writing definitely transported me through time and space to a place I never wanted to leave.