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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This was a very quick read for me. Kind of a sad book. I think that it touched on some pretty heavy topics. I loved the firefly imagery and the swamp imagery a lot and Maddy was an adorable narrator. I'm not exactly sure what age group I would recommend this for as some topics covered were alcohol abuse and animal death. That theme could be sensitive for younger readers. However these topics are tackled in a way that would make it easier for a younger reader to grasp.
Good, but the ending was rushed. Read my review at Gator Book Chomp.
The story of a girl who finds her place in the world in Le Bons Temps Bayou with her Grandmere and becomes who she wants to be (a heroine). In order to become a hero, something bad must happen. Cute story with a happy ending. I love happy endings.
Totally appropriate for young readers.
Totally appropriate for young readers.
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This might be my favorite book using magical realism.
Beautifully written, often more like poetry than prose. We didn't care for the abrupt ending and some loose ends but the rest of it was majestic. We'd love to see Maddy and Grandmere in a movie or TV series.
the domestic abuse storyline was a bit unnecessary but the rest was pretty good
Content Warnings: child abuse, alcoholism, death of animals
4.5 Stars. I wasn't expecting the book that I read. Bayou Magic, in my opinion, was going to be a middle grade novel that talked a little bit about magic. I was so wrong. I was so unbelievably wrong. Bayou Magic is centered around a little girl by the name of Maddy who has about 4/5 other sisters. Each sister has been required to spend a summer with their grandmother in the Bayou. Every year each girl comes back and reports different things about the oddness of their grandmother's behavior. However, it's early on that Maddy realizes that her experience with her grandmother will be different. Unlike her sisters, Maddy exhibits qualities reminiscent of special/magical abilities. By spending time with her grandmother she knows that she'll be able to learn more about these abilities/powers.
I think what I enjoyed most about this novel was Rhodes' ability to weave in particularly important aspects of Western African myths regarding mermaids as well as some key points regarding environmentalism. This novel comes across as whimsical, but really packs a punch regarding these topics. It took me a while to get through this book not because it was boring or too hard to read, but because I kept spending so much time looking up different things from Mami Wata to Deepwater Horizon. This book has respect for both the past and presents and Maddy learns some important things about her family lineage which includes understanding parts of the Transatlantic slave trade and the emotional and mental toll it took on her family. Honestly, even as I'm typing this review I'm still in awe about the amount of things that I learned from this book. There are truly middle grade novels that deserve more respect and recognition and this is one of them.
I also loved the relationship between Maddy and her grandmother. It reminded me so much of the relationship that I had with my great-grandmother. There's this unspoken fondness where neither character has to say that they love or care about the other. It's so obvious in the quality time that they spend together. That's not to say that it isn't ever stated; however, they have this peaceful shared energy that made my heart smile and miss my great-grandmother.
I couldn't give this book a full five stars because it failed to address a situation between an adult and a child in a way that I think was appropriate. It's brief; however, I think that Rhodes could have done just a little more. I would also like to note that Rhodes' writing in this novel is "clipped." Staccato is the only word that comes to mind to describe it. I know that this writing style may not appeal to everyone, but I found it to fit perfectly with the context of the story. Overall, this novel was so amazing and I can't wait to dive more into Rhodes' work especially Ninth Ward which was written about Hurricane Katrina.
4.5 Stars. I wasn't expecting the book that I read. Bayou Magic, in my opinion, was going to be a middle grade novel that talked a little bit about magic. I was so wrong. I was so unbelievably wrong. Bayou Magic is centered around a little girl by the name of Maddy who has about 4/5 other sisters. Each sister has been required to spend a summer with their grandmother in the Bayou. Every year each girl comes back and reports different things about the oddness of their grandmother's behavior. However, it's early on that Maddy realizes that her experience with her grandmother will be different. Unlike her sisters, Maddy exhibits qualities reminiscent of special/magical abilities. By spending time with her grandmother she knows that she'll be able to learn more about these abilities/powers.
I think what I enjoyed most about this novel was Rhodes' ability to weave in particularly important aspects of Western African myths regarding mermaids as well as some key points regarding environmentalism. This novel comes across as whimsical, but really packs a punch regarding these topics. It took me a while to get through this book not because it was boring or too hard to read, but because I kept spending so much time looking up different things from Mami Wata to Deepwater Horizon. This book has respect for both the past and presents and Maddy learns some important things about her family lineage which includes understanding parts of the Transatlantic slave trade and the emotional and mental toll it took on her family. Honestly, even as I'm typing this review I'm still in awe about the amount of things that I learned from this book. There are truly middle grade novels that deserve more respect and recognition and this is one of them.
I also loved the relationship between Maddy and her grandmother. It reminded me so much of the relationship that I had with my great-grandmother. There's this unspoken fondness where neither character has to say that they love or care about the other. It's so obvious in the quality time that they spend together. That's not to say that it isn't ever stated; however, they have this peaceful shared energy that made my heart smile and miss my great-grandmother.
I couldn't give this book a full five stars because it failed to address a situation between an adult and a child in a way that I think was appropriate. It's brief; however, I think that Rhodes could have done just a little more. I would also like to note that Rhodes' writing in this novel is "clipped." Staccato is the only word that comes to mind to describe it. I know that this writing style may not appeal to everyone, but I found it to fit perfectly with the context of the story. Overall, this novel was so amazing and I can't wait to dive more into Rhodes' work especially Ninth Ward which was written about Hurricane Katrina.