Rise of the Jumbies (Jumbies #2)

Gr 4-6--This sequel to The Jumbies, a dark fairy tale woven from elements of traditional Caribbean folklore, does not disappoint. Shunned by most of the town on her small island for her recently revealed part-jumbie heritage, Corinne is lonely and yet still wants to help when several children are lost after a tidal wave. After discovering that these are not the first kids to go missing near water, Corinne bravely consults the queen of water for help, Mama D'Leau. Mama D'Leau does not give advice for free, however, so Corinne and her three steadfast friends must retrieve a priceless jewel in payment. They are magically led through the seas by Mama D'Leau's mermaid daughters to Ghana, where many years ago the daughters were kidnapped by slavers and drowned when the ship went down. Mama D'Leau does not always keep her promises, and Corinne must use all her ingenuity and some of her own jumbie magic to help the missing children. The novelty of the fantasy elements, the complex characters, and the superb world-building combine in a tale well worth reading, both as a sequel and a stand-alone. VERDICT A stellar recommendation for fans of edgy fantasy such as Aaron Starmer's "The Riverman Trilogy" or Adam Gidwitz's "A Tale Dark and Grimm" series, and, of course, fans of the first book.--Gretchen Crowley, formerly at Alexandria City Public Libraries, VA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Rise of the Jumbies is a captivating tale that hooks readers from the onset and doesn't let go. The imagery is crisp and nuanced, the leading characters are gutsy yet kindhearted, and the villains are just the right amount of wicked for middle schoolers . . . If you're looking for a story that's original, action packed and inspiring, look no further than Rise of the Jumbies." —BookPage

"This highly enjoyable story captures the culture and the atmosphere of the small island community with beautiful descriptions and natural, flowing dialogue . . . a welcome addition to the juvenile menagerie of mythological creatures." —Foreword Reviews

"Thrilling." —Bookish

"Kids who can't get enough of legends or fantastical stories will be wide eyed at both story and action, the latter of which is truly heart-pounding . . . Savvy readers ages 8-12 may be able to jump into Rise of The Jumbies feet first without reading its predecessor, The Jumbies, but I'd recommend starting there anyhow. Try that, and your child can wave 'hello' to her next favorite series." —Guam Daily Post

"Read this book for the flavorful Caribbean setting. Read it for the fantastic mythology. Read it to meet one very brave girl. Read it if you like the thrill of a good scare. Read it to discover more about a shameful past hidden in the depths of the sea. That's a tall order for one middle grade book, but Baptiste delivers on all counts." —Reading Style Guide

"With an action-packed story, diverse characters, Rise of the Jumbies is an inventive twist on Caribbean and West African tales. This is a great book for summer reading that your middle schoolers will enjoy." —Successful Black Parenting

"You can't go wrong with a fairy tale, and this Caribbean fairy tale is exciting. . . This story is well written, and the pace is just fast enough. I liked that it kept me guessing and that there were larger themes woven into the plot like slavery, chosen family vs. the family you are born with, and what happens when fear and hatred take root in people. " —GeekReadsKids.com