Hoodoo, by Ronald L. Smith
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Hoodoo, by Ronald L. Smith
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Winner of the 2016 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Twelve-year-old Hoodoo Hatcher was born into a family with a rich tradition of practicing folk magic: hoodoo, as most people call it. But even though his name is Hoodoo, he can't seem to cast a simple spell. When a mysterious man called the Stranger comes to town, Hoodoo starts dreaming of the dead rising from their graves. Even worse, he soon learns the Stranger is looking for a boy. Not just any boy. A boy named Hoodoo. The entire town is at risk from the Stranger's black magic, and only Hoodoo can defeat him. He'll just need to learn how to conjure first. Set amid the swamps, red soil, and sweltering heat of small town Alabama in the 1930s, Hoodoo is infused with a big dose of creepiness leavened with gentle humor.
Hoodoo, by Ronald L. Smith- Amazon Sales Rank: #68585 in Books
- Published on: 2015-09-01
- Released on: 2015-09-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 8.50" h x .84" w x 5.68" l, 1.00 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 224 pages
From School Library Journal Gr 5–7—"When I got born, Mama Frances took one look at me and said, 'That child is marked. He got hoodoo in him.' That's how I got my name." But, for all that his dead daddy was known as a powerful mojo man, at age 12, Hoodoo Hatcher is the only one of his family who can't do any kind of conjuring or even cast a simple spell. Mama Frances assures him that his time will come, but Hoodoo worries that his grandmamma is just trying to make him feel better. Then the Stranger comes to town—dark-cloaked, red-eyed, and cold—and fearful things begin to happen: swarms of flies, screams in the distance, and corpses in the graveyard dug up with all their hands chopped off. "I saw your daddy, boy. He owes me a debt and I come to collect…. Mandagore. The Hand That Did The Deed," says the Stranger. Hoodoo discovers an old folk magic spell book, and learns what the demonic visitor is seeking—not "Mandagore" after all but "Main de Gloire." The Stranger wants the secret of the Hand of Glory, left hand of a man hanged for murder, with which an evil magician can call and control the dead. When Mama Frances at last tells Hoodoo the tale of his father's terrible death, the boy realizes that it is his father's hand that the Stranger wants. Worse yet, the old curse is reaching out to Hoodoo himself as he notices that his own left hand is growing unaccountably strong. For the first time, he experiences the tempting thrill of occult power—and knows that the Stranger wants his soul as well as his father's. But can Hoodoo find the strength—and the courage—to defy the Devil himself? The chilling supernatural Southern Gothic plot action is enhanced by atmospheric description of rural life in Depression-era Alabama. There are dark hints of racial tensions and the hardships of poverty, balanced by strong family and faith relationships. Readers will particularly enjoy Hoodoo's authentic and engaging narrative voice. The author takes some liberties with historical details and with the obscure but very real folk magic texts that Hoodoo uses, although few readers in the intended audience will be aware of it. VERDICT Reminiscent of the adult horror fiction of the late Manly Wade Wellman, this debut novel will appeal to thoughtful middle grade fans of the supernatural.—Elaine E. Knight, formerly at Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Review “What a splendid novel. Reader, be prepared to have your foundations shaken: this is a world that is deeper, more wondrous, more spiritually charged than you may have ever imagined.” —Gary D. Schmidt, two-time Newbery Honor medalist and author of The Wednesday Wars “Oh, wow! Hoodoo may just be the perfect book for a rainy day. Find a dog that will sit with you . . . and read on to your heart’s content. What a fun discovery!” —Nikki Giovanni, poet and award-winning author of Rosa
“I loved this book. Told by a narrator you won’t soon forget, it is filled with myth and legend, danger and bravery. Hoodoo is pure folk magic, if you didn’t know.” —Keith Donohue, New York Times best-selling author of The Stolen Child "The authenticity of Hoodoo's voice and this distinctive mashup of genres make Smith one to watch. Seekers of the scary and "something different" need look no further." —Kirkus
About the Author Ronald L. Smith fell in love with books at a very young age and hasn't stopped reading since. Hoodoo is his debut novel. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland. To learn more, please visit: strangeblackflowers.com
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful character set in a place that is familiar yet not will resonate with readers from all places. By Gaele Engrossing and carrying a touch of spooky, Smith’s Hoodoo Hatcher is a 12 year old boy, born into a family in depression era Alabama. With both parents dead, his grandmother (Mama Francis) and Aunt Jelly are his parental figures. Named Hoodoo for the birthmark, he’s been unable to conjure even the smallest of folk-magic spells, unlike the rest of his family.But, a mysterious stranger comes to town and everything changes. Soon, Hoodoo must find, with the help from his friend Bunny, a way to outwit and defeat this stranger who means to cause trouble for everyone he knows, most importantly him.Lovely imagery that gives a glimpse into depression-era days gone by, full of realities like segregation, poverty, legends of Railroad quilts and even some moments of brimstone. While on the surface this is a very typical boy finds the power within himself and saves the world plot, Smith imbues the story with heart, history and several facts that add greatly to the story while never missing a beat in the action. Characters are completely built as they arrive, never delving into over the top stereotypes, but carrying that nugget of possibility that helps make them strike a chord of familiarity. Several twists bring the story through a path of increasing tension, while keeping a steady pace to the finish.Perfect for middle grade and reluctant readers, there is a touch of whimsy in the premise that is sure to engage imaginations and kindle the flame that spurs more reading. A wonderful character set in a place that is familiar yet not, and he will resonate with readers from all places.I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. “...Having Heart is Believing in Yourself …” By delicateflower152 Set in rural Alabama during the 1930’s, “Hoodoo” is a novel of the supernatural, of good triumphing over evil, and a coming-of-age story. Ronald L. Smith gives readers an enjoyable story, a likeable protagonist, and some interesting glimpses into the past.Hoodoo Hatcher lives with his grandmother Mama Frances. He was never told his father’s cause of death. “…They kept secrets …They thought I was too little to know what really happened …” His mother had died in childbirth. The Hatcher family can conjure – his father Curtis was a powerful mojo man. Despite his name and reassurances of his grandmother, Hoodoo has been unable to access any power or conjure any spell. “…You got some magik in you, but I think it’s buried …” When he encounters a mysterious, menacing stranger in the general store, Hoodoo experiences an unease that portends upcoming troubles. “…this demon has the power to travel in the land of the spirits. You do, too – that’s why you been seeing him …” Dark dreams and out-of-body experiences begin to plague Hoodoo. “…When you saw the stranger in the swamp, you were in the spirit world …” His meeting with a fortune-teller, Mrs. Snuff, leads Hoodoo to discover the truth about his family and himself and to access untapped strength through the power of believing in himself.Using the first person narrative, Ronald L. Smith gives “Hoodoo” a distinct personality and creates an authentic locale and historic period that might have been lacking had he written in the third person voice. The beliefs and the attitudes of the 1930’s and rural Alabama are evident in the lives of “Hoodoo” and his family. Personal interaction, reactions, and emotions are believable; they are ones the target reader (ages 9 – 12 years old) may recognize and to which they may relate.Throughout “Hoodoo”, Ronald L. Smith vividly captures the combining of conflicting beliefs in the supernatural and in Christianity that existed among some rural families in the Deep South. In Mrs. Snuff’s home,” Hoodoo” sees a Bible next to a book of supernatural arts and remedies. “…Jesus was watching me …” Although the Hatchers were staunch churchgoers, they still maintained an altar in their home that related to their supernatural beliefs. The mysterious stranger tells “Hoodoo” “…you can call me Scratch …my number …It’s six six six …” The living conditions and the treatment of rural African-Americans during the 1930’s and in the Deep South play a significant role in “Hoodoo”. Hoodoo and his friend Bunny can only attend the county fair on “Colored Folks’ Day”. After killing a man in self defense, Hoodoo’s father was lynched.Hoodoo’s “explanation” of certain vocabulary words or terms interfered with the flow of the narrative and made the story feel as if it were “educational”. Ronald L. Smith could have incorporated these words and terms into the story in a more subtle manner. That would have kept Hoodoo from seeming to be such a pedagogue. Because it is unlikely that they will relate to the period in which the story was set and the supernatural aspects of story, the targeted reader may not find this book particularly appealing. Parents and grandparents may not like the use of several four-letter swear words – mild by today’s standards – but those many prefer the target age group refrain from using.“Hoodoo” is a better than average book, but is not an outstanding novel. It is a good read and one that is not particularly difficult. The historic, cultural and social aspects of "Hoodoo" elevate the book to its 4-star rating.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. most of the time there is no need to explain away the reasoning and cause behind these fantastic worlds in Kid’s Fiction By Danielle DeNoble (ARC) Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith is about Hoodoo Hatcher, a 12-year-old boy born into the only family in town to practice folk magic. His name, however, is the only hoodoo he has in him. That is until a mysterious and frightening figure known only as the Stranger comes to town. Hoodoo, with the help of his family, his friend Bunny, and some other strange acquaintances, uncovers the secrets, spells, tools, and courage needed to rid his little Alabama town of this unwelcome visitor.Even though I am almost 20-years-old, I still find myself thoroughly enjoying Kid’s Fiction and I probably always will. There is one blindingly obvious difference between stories aimed toward children and ones written for teens and adults; most of the time there is no need to explain away the reasoning and cause behind these fantastic worlds in Kid’s Fiction. Children do not need lengthy introductions to mystical places and beings to believe in their story. Short stories are a similar case. My English professor said it best when describing the abrupt style of short stories, “This is the author’s world that they have created. No matter what he/she writes, you have no place to question it. You have to accept what they write as the truth.” I think that goes for children’s books as well. It’s a shame that as we grow older our imaginations are sometimes diminished. We have to have an explanation as to why something is the way it is instead of simply going along for the ride. I give my thanks to Ronald L. Smith for sharing his vibrant imagination in this wonderful book, giving me a break from reason and explanation, as well as my admiration for so subtly threading in learning opportunities in such a memorable and enjoyable way.
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