Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith

Hoodoo written by Ronald L. Smith

Hoodoo is Ronald L. Smith debut novel, released in 2015.

Published by Clarion Books Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Illustrated by Sebastien Skrobol

Set in Sardis, Alabama in the 1930's.

Hoodoo is a twelve year old boy born with a heart shaped birthmark. When his Mama Frances saw it she said, "That child is marked. He got hoodoo in him." That's how he got the name Hoodoo Hatcher. 

Everybody said it was some kind of sign. People knew he was different the first time they laid eyes on him.

Hoodoo is some kind of folk magic. People used it for healing, or putting love spells or curses on people.

Hoodoo didn't know if he was much different than anyone else. After all he couldn't conjure up a simple spell. His Mama Frances says he has magick in him but it was buried deep.

One day a stranger comes to town looking for something. It shook up his cousin Zeke. Shook Hoodoo up too.

The stranger was after Hoodoo. Hoodoo's daddy was hanged and tried conjuring at the last minute. Hoodoo's left hand had the power his dad transferred to him. The stranger wanted that hand! Hoodoo must stop the stranger before the stranger got that hand. The stranger uses black magic on the whole town to get at Hoodoo. Can Hoodoo figure out how to destroy the demon in time to save himself, his family and the town?

This book is set in a small town in Alabama. Mr. Smith creates a believable setting. I kept wiping the sweat off my brow when I read it.  

This story is  about an African -American boy and the small town he lives in. Both parents are dead and he is raised by his Mama Frances. I love how Mama Frances believes in God but also uses the home remedies too.

Hoodoo, tries to do the right thing. I love the saying, "A wise man don't look for danger, but he'll die for a cause he knows is righteous."

Hoodoo has to be wise. He has to have heart to defeat the stranger.

Great read!

Next Sunday is Easter so I hope you all enjoy the day with your family and celebrate Jesus being alive and well.