Family magic. Family secrets.
Curses. Ghosts.
Mystery. History.
Racism. Social Justice.
Although these are not time-travel novels, Speculation and Blood Debts take readers through time and bring them face-to-face with historical and present-day racism, as well as cultural appropriation. As you’ll see in their reviews, our judges found the audiobook versions of the books a wonderful way to read these books.
Summaries and book covers are linked to Goodreads.
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE-GRADE
After Winna's little sister breaks her glasses, her grandfather gives her an old-timey pair of spectacles that belonged to her great-aunt Estelle. The specs are silver and perfectly circular, with tiny stars on the bridge and earpieces that curl all the way around her ears. Best of all, they're magic.
When Winna wishes she could see ghosts, not only does she meet the real Estelle, but Estelle's mother, Winona. Nearly a century before, Winona escaped from slavery and ran north with her baby, Key, who was stolen from her. Now Estelle and Winona have a mission for Winna: Find Key.
Charlotte @ Charlotte’s Library – I fell hard for Winna, the young heroine, who when we first meet her is reading Edward Eager (a favorite fantasy author of my own youth) and dreaming of magic. It’s a great story, full of dualities that balance each other beautifully– past and present, magic and reality, the loving family and the racist world. I loved the historical and genealogical research that Winna and her cousin undertake, I loved how the magic wasn’t just seeing ghosts with magical glasses but was aided and abetted by Winna’s grandfather’s affinity for African infused magic (for lack of a better word) of his own. And of course I hated the racism that Winna and her family face, and hated too that this part of the book didn’t read as much like historical fiction as it should. I’m all in favor of fiction that kids to think about the painful parts of the past and how they affect the present, and sure do hope this one gets to stay on the shelves.
Katy @ A Library Mama – Magic spectacles and a bookish girl discovering family secrets combine to make one of my very favorite books of the year so far. Winna’s been sheltered enough to be shocked by the injustice of racism when she experiences it – framing it as supremely unfair in a way that will resonate with just about any kid I’ve ever met. This book made me so very happy! The characters, the classic tone, the sensitive dealings with important topics and of course the actual magic made this just the kind of book I want to pass out to lots and lots of kids. Also, did you see that gorgeous cover?
YOUNG ADULT
On the 30th anniversary of the greatest magical massacre in New Orleans history, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the 16-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.
Cristina and Clement used to be each other’s most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. But if they have any hope of discovering who is coming after their family, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their family's magic, all while solving the decades-old murder that sparked the still-rising tensions between the city’s magical and non-magical communities. And if they don't succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.
The Library Coven @ Instagram – If you’re looking for a book with lots of magic, family curses, and tackling racism head on, then Blood Debts is the book for you. I listened to the audiobook, which was absolutely wonderful. One aspect of the book I really liked was how the book discussed the way that white people often steal things/culture/or in this case magic, from Black folks and then pretend it was theirs all along. This is something we see a lot in our real world now. Things from Black culture (and other POC cultures) aren’t deemed acceptable until white people start doing those things, put their own name on it, and refuse to give BIPOC folks the credit. I can’t wait to see where this story goes in the sequel.
TheNextGenLibrarian @ Goodreads – I loved the representation of LGBTQ characters and discussions of racism in America. I really wanted to like this book I went in with high hopes and fought the good fight, but it just had too many issues it was trying to tackle, and also too many points of view throughout the novel.
Gina @ Goodreads – I miss this book after having finished it!! The writing is good, the characters go through a LOT, and the story has a way of feeling low-stakes even when it isn’t – the pacing is sorta New Orleans lazy (lazy as in not speedy, not as in non-attentive) and the audiobook was great. We have love, betrayal, a surprising amount of car wrecks, action, family… yeah, it’s definitely worth reading. I can’t wait for the sequel!! There’s also a good amount of family history and just the acknowledgement of the treatment of Black people historically and presently. The social justice topics are well handled and peppered in just enough, not overwhelming or awkward at all.
Famil
Summaries and book covers are linked to Goodreads.
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE-GRADE
After Winna's little sister breaks her glasses, her grandfather gives her an old-timey pair of spectacles that belonged to her great-aunt Estelle. The specs are silver and perfectly circular, with tiny stars on the bridge and earpieces that curl all the way around her ears. Best of all, they're magic.
When Winna wishes she could see ghosts, not only does she meet the real Estelle, but Estelle's mother, Winona. Nearly a century before, Winona escaped from slavery and ran north with her baby, Key, who was stolen from her. Now Estelle and Winona have a mission for Winna: Find Key.
Charlotte @ Charlotte’s Library – I fell hard for Winna, the young heroine, who when we first meet her is reading Edward Eager (a favorite fantasy author of my own youth) and dreaming of magic. It’s a great story, full of dualities that balance each other beautifully– past and present, magic and reality, the loving family and the racist world. I loved the historical and genealogical research that Winna and her cousin undertake, I loved how the magic wasn’t just seeing ghosts with magical glasses but was aided and abetted by Winna’s grandfather’s affinity for African infused magic (for lack of a better word) of his own. And of course I hated the racism that Winna and her family face, and hated too that this part of the book didn’t read as much like historical fiction as it should. I’m all in favor of fiction that kids to think about the painful parts of the past and how they affect the present, and sure do hope this one gets to stay on the shelves.
Katy @ A Library Mama – Magic spectacles and a bookish girl discovering family secrets combine to make one of my very favorite books of the year so far. Winna’s been sheltered enough to be shocked by the injustice of racism when she experiences it – framing it as supremely unfair in a way that will resonate with just about any kid I’ve ever met. This book made me so very happy! The characters, the classic tone, the sensitive dealings with important topics and of course the actual magic made this just the kind of book I want to pass out to lots and lots of kids. Also, did you see that gorgeous cover?
YOUNG ADULT
On the 30th anniversary of the greatest magical massacre in New Orleans history, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the 16-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.
Cristina and Clement used to be each other’s most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. But if they have any hope of discovering who is coming after their family, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their family's magic, all while solving the decades-old murder that sparked the still-rising tensions between the city’s magical and non-magical communities. And if they don't succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.
The Library Coven @ Instagram – If you’re looking for a book with lots of magic, family curses, and tackling racism head on, then Blood Debts is the book for you. I listened to the audiobook, which was absolutely wonderful. One aspect of the book I really liked was how the book discussed the way that white people often steal things/culture/or in this case magic, from Black folks and then pretend it was theirs all along. This is something we see a lot in our real world now. Things from Black culture (and other POC cultures) aren’t deemed acceptable until white people start doing those things, put their own name on it, and refuse to give BIPOC folks the credit. I can’t wait to see where this story goes in the sequel.
TheNextGenLibrarian @ Goodreads – I loved the representation of LGBTQ characters and discussions of racism in America. I really wanted to like this book I went in with high hopes and fought the good fight, but it just had too many issues it was trying to tackle, and also too many points of view throughout the novel.
Gina @ Goodreads – I miss this book after having finished it!! The writing is good, the characters go through a LOT, and the story has a way of feeling low-stakes even when it isn’t – the pacing is sorta New Orleans lazy (lazy as in not speedy, not as in non-attentive) and the audiobook was great. We have love, betrayal, a surprising amount of car wrecks, action, family… yeah, it’s definitely worth reading. I can’t wait for the sequel!! There’s also a good amount of family history and just the acknowledgement of the treatment of Black people historically and presently. The social justice topics are well handled and peppered in just enough, not overwhelming or awkward at all.