The Jumbies Kindle Edition

FINALLY!!! A fantasy series in which kids of color can see themselves! I was absolutely riveted by this story, spine-tingly created by author Tracey Baptiste from Caribbean folk tales she heard growing up. I love Corinne’s courage and the unconditional love for her family that drives her to face her fears.Further, the allegorical aspect of the story - whose land is this? - is something we can connect to the treatment of Natives by white Europeans as they colonized what are now the United States and Canada.I will be adding this trilogy (the third one is out in September 2019!!) to the list of books from which kids can choose for their fantasy book clubs.

This book has been a HUGE hit in my fourth grade classroom! I bought six and as soon as one student finishes and turns it in, it is snatched up by the next. We have a "no spoilers" policy. This book is real deal literature for children!

Fast-paced, charming characters and an excellent story. It was nice to have a story that was fresh in plot and setting. I read this before recommending it for our system’s summer reading list but I found that I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this story, as I hadn't heard of a Jumbie before. But the various Jumbies Tracey described were unique and scary. I wouldn't want to cross paths with any of them! This original story is enthralling! I can't wait to start the sequel!

My seven year-old and I devoured this book. It is a true adventure with vivid characters and imagery that play like a movie in our minds. More importantly, we have learned about the mythology and oral traditions of the Caribbean. Why have these incredible monsters not been on our radar?! We want more!!! Thank you, Tracey. You are so gifted.

I would recommend The Jumbies to my friends. It was very interesting and exciting. It made we want to keep reading. My mom and I read this every night and I never wanted to stop. But sometimes my eyes got too heavy! I loved the characters. Corinne was very brave and mighty. Actually all the kids were brave in their own special ways. They were good friends and they were good to each other! Thanks Miss Baptiste! Jaden

My 11 yr old finished this book in 3 days!! She loved it and couldn’t wait to read the next one!

My granddaughter and I read The Jumbies together. We loved the book, and are currently reading our third in the series by Baptiste. Follow Corrine and her friends as they discover that Jumbies are all too real and all too close. Can their two worlds ever survive peacefully together? The story is filled with emotions: fear, sorrow, delight, laughter.

Brilliant first story

Reading it with my Year 5 class as part of our Caribbean topic and they love it!

My daughter is 11 and absolutely loved this book- says it is a page turner.

Actual rating: 4,5 starsContent warnings:- hints of animal cruelty- some fighting (including fire, improvised weapons, though nothing extremely graphic)- some blood (mentioned in context of fighting and when a character is hurt by accident)- an almost-drowning scene- mentions of deathOkay, so, let me get this straight: I loved this book. Seriously. I read it for the diversity bingo challenge because of its setting in central america and I didn't excpect I'd like a childern's fantasy book this much, yet here I am, desperate for part 2 already because I fell hard and fast for this story.All of the characteres were really interesting and well-portrayed as far as I can tell. The setting is lovely. The folklore this book is based on is super interesting and refreshing, considering all the same old (kinda boring) fairytales we usually get. Bonus points for diversitsy, of course, although I can't say much about the representation and its quality since I don't belong to any of the minorities included in this book.The writing was so nice I almost immediately got my perfect "reading flow" and finished "The Jumbies" within 24 hours.The only thing that bothered me a little: Although the dark atmosphere is great and there is lots of suspense, especially towards the end, I think the suspense could have been improved by not telling the reader so much so early on. A few secrets kept a little longer from the audience would've worked even better in my opinion. That's why my actual rating is "only" 4,5 stars, not the full 5.All in all I highly recommend giving this book a try, it was really entertaining and interesting to me.

I could smell the island and basked in the cadence so familiar from the stories of my childhood. Memories flood. A brilliant addition to my repertoire of favourites to read and to give.