Smith's debut novel introduces readers to Hoodoo, a 12-year-old African American boy living in Alabama in the 1930s. Hoodoo got his name because of the heart-shaped birthmark under his eye, believed to be a mark of his family's talent at folk magic. Unfortunately, Hoodoo is incapable of casting a spell. But that doesn't stop him from being drawn into the supernatural world of talking crows, traveling souls, and the Stranger, who comes into town looking for him specifically. He learns that the Stranger's interest has to do with an inextricable link between Hoodoo and his late father, a link that extends beyond his father's grave. Hoodoo's first-person narrative, which flows beautifully, has an appealing natural cadence, punctuated with the tagline if you didn't know whenever he describes something that might be unfamiliar to the reader. Through his protagonist, Smith demonstrates an eye for detail and a knack for evocative imagery as well as for telling a riveting story with a dollop of southern gothic appeal.--Scanlon, Donna Copyright 2015 Booklist

A sinister stranger stalks young Hoodoo Hatcher in rural 1930s Alabama. Hoodoo has already lived a life shadowed by tragedy; his mother died at his birth, and his father, a "powerful mojo man," left town and "came to a bad end." Hoodoo, despite his name, has never been able to practice folk magick like much of the rest of his family. And his name has made him the butt of jokes at school. Living with his grandmother, Mama Frances, in a tiny town has never been too exciting until a carnival fortuneteller's dark predictions force Hoodoo to investigate his family's past and the ways of hoodoo in order to save himself and his remaining family from a demon stranger. What does the stranger want? And can Hoodoo prevail when it seems the people he cares about most are keeping things from him? Smith's debut is an engaging, creepy mystery that doesn't shy away from the harshness of its Jim Crow setting but that doesn't dwell on it eitherthe Hatchers' community is largely independent of the white world, and Hoodoo's quest and developing abilities unfold believably within it. Repetition of several phrases and thoughts mar this otherwise fine first-person tale. However, the authenticity of Hoodoo's voice and this distinctive mashup of genres make Smith one to watch. Seekers of the scary and "something different" need look no further. (Horror. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Smith debuts with a supernatural coming-of-age story set in a 1930s Alabama town. Twelve-year-old Hoodoo Hatcher was born into a magical family, but he has no knack for folk magic himself. His father was "a powerful mojo man" who allegedly met with a "bad end" after placing a curse on a man. One day a stranger comes to collect a debt left by Hoodoo's father, and the boy must learn to access the supernatural to help his father in the afterlife. Hoodoo's distinctive first-person narrative is speckled with lively dialect and atmospheric details of Southern life, from fried catfish dinners and moonshine to "mojo bags" full of cat's-eye stone and rat bone. The action of the novel moves swiftly, and readers should be easily drawn into its dark, supernatural ambience. There's little doubt that Hoodoo will prevail, yet chilling moments throughout will keep readers on edge: "The Stranger smiled, but he didn't have any teeth, just a mouth full of black, oozing swamp water." Ages 10-12. Agent: Adriann Ranta, Wolf Literary Services. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Folks living in the insular 1930s African American community of Sardis, Alabama, believe in equal measure in their God and in folk magick, or hoodoo. Despite his name, twelve-year-old Hoodoo Hatcher doesnt have a speck of magick in him, or at least none that he can detect. But when a Stranger comes to town, a nasty, foul-smelling incarnation of evil, Hoodoo discovers deep within himself the strength and heart to call upon that magick. Before his untimely demise, Hoodoos desperate father tried to cheat death by transporting part of his soul into Hoodoo. Now the only way Hoodoo can free his father and allow him to pass to the other side is by destroying the Stranger, who will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening. At first reluctant, Hoodoo eventually decides to take on the fearful demon, arming himself with powerful mojo and following this axiom: A wise man dont look for danger, but hell die for a cause he knows is righteous. Filled with folk and religious symbols, this creepy Southern Gothic ghost story is steeped in time and place. Hoodoos earnest first-person narrative reveals a believable innocent who can cause deeds great and powerful. His frequent folksy asides to the readerHoppin John is black-eyed peas and rice, if you didnt know; An outhouse is where people go to do their business, if you didnt knowrelieve the tension. betty carter (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 5-7-"When I got born, Mama Frances took one look at me and said, `That child is marked. He got hoodoo in him.' That's how I got my name." But, for all that his dead daddy was known as a powerful mojo man, at age 12, Hoodoo Hatcher is the only one of his family who can't do any kind of conjuring or even cast a simple spell. Mama Frances assures him that his time will come, but Hoodoo worries that his grandmamma is just trying to make him feel better. Then the Stranger comes to town-dark-cloaked, red-eyed, and cold-and fearful things begin to happen: swarms of flies, screams in the distance, and corpses in the graveyard dug up with all their hands chopped off. "I saw your daddy, boy. He owes me a debt and I come to collect.... Mandagore. The Hand That Did The Deed," says the Stranger. Hoodoo discovers an old folk magic spell book, and learns what the demonic visitor is seeking-not "Mandagore" after all but "Main de Gloire." The Stranger wants the secret of the Hand of Glory, left hand of a man hanged for murder, with which an evil magician can call and control the dead. When Mama Frances at last tells Hoodoo the tale of his father's terrible death, the boy realizes that it is his father's hand that the Stranger wants. Worse yet, the old curse is reaching out to Hoodoo himself as he notices that his own left hand is growing unaccountably strong. For the first time, he experiences the tempting thrill of occult power-and knows that the Stranger wants his soul as well as his father's. But can Hoodoo find the strength-and the courage-to defy the Devil himself? The chilling supernatural Southern Gothic plot action is enhanced by atmospheric description of rural life in Depression-era Alabama. There are dark hints of racial tensions and the hardships of poverty, balanced by strong family and faith relationships. Readers will particularly enjoy Hoodoo's authentic and engaging narrative voice. The author takes some liberties with historical details and with the obscure but very real folk magic texts that Hoodoo uses, although few readers in the intended audience will be aware of it. VERDICT Reminiscent of the adult horror fiction of the late Manly Wade Wellman, this debut novel will appeal to thoughtful middle grade fans of the supernatural.-Elaine E. Knight, formerly at Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.