
Reach for this book when your teen is navigating the delicate balance of honoring family traditions while carving out their own modern identity. It is a perfect choice for a young person who feels a pull toward their heritage but is unsure how to integrate ancestral beliefs with their everyday life in the city. The story follows fifteen-year-old Cicely as she navigates the vibrant West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, only to be thrust into a supernatural crisis when her aunt is possessed by a spirit. This YA novel weaves together themes of bravery, family loyalty, and the magic of Haitian culture. It is age-appropriate for middle and high schoolers, offering a refreshing look at Voodoo (Vodou) through a lens of respect and familial duty rather than horror. Parents will appreciate the way it treats a first crush with sweetness while prioritizing the strength found in female-led family bonds and cultural pride.
Sweet, age-appropriate flirting and a burgeoning crush.
Depictions of spirit possession and supernatural entities may be unsettling for some.
The book deals with spirituality and Vodou in a direct, respectful way. It reframes often-stigmatized religious practices as a source of ancestral power and healing. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in cultural reclamation.
A 14-year-old who loves urban fantasy but is looking for a story that reflects a Caribbean American urban experience. It is for the reader who wants romance and magic without losing the grounded feel of family expectations.
Parents should be aware that the book features spirit possession and ritualistic magic. No specific pages need previewing for content, as it remains firmly YA-appropriate.
Younger teens will focus on the 'quest' aspect and the excitement of the parade, while older teens will better appreciate the nuances of cultural identity and the pressure of carrying a family legacy.
Unlike many YA fantasies that use European folklore, this book centers specifically on Haitian Vodou and the specific joy of the West Indian Day Parade, making it a welcome addition to Caribbean-American representation in YA fantasy.
Cicely is a Haitian American teen looking forward to the West Indian Day Parade. Her Aunt Mimose, a practitioner of Vodou, accidentally invites a spirit possession that goes wrong. Cicely, joined by her best friend Renee and her crush Kwame, must navigate the streets of Brooklyn and the spiritual realm to save Mimose before the possession becomes permanent.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review