About This Book
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.
