Conjure Island by Eden Royce

 Have you ever heard of the Gullah-Geechee people and their traditions? No? Well, neither has Del and apparently she is a descendant of these Sea Island families brought to this country from Africa. Del has never been a part of a big family. It’s always been just her father and Gramma after her mother died. With her father in the service, she has never stayed in one place very long, and she was just fine with that. Her and Gramma were best friends and told each other everything – or so Del thought . . . 

But things are about to change. Dad is deployed and Gramma falls ill and lands in the hospital. All of a sudden Del finds out she’s going to an island off the South Carolina coast to spend the summer with a great grandmother, Nana Rose, she has never heard of and didn’t even know existed until now! Why had Gramma kept this from her and what is this school that her Nana Rose will be running while Del is there?

Once Del arrives on the island things become even stranger. The huge house that she first sees upon arriving (in a boat perched on top of the biggest alligator Del has ever seen, mind you) looks run down, broken down and empty. Is this where she will be staying? But upon coming back to the house after meeting the campers and teachers, she sees something completely different – a beautiful mansion! What in the world is going on? Nana Rose speaks of their practice of “conjure magic”, which Del had scoffed at, but now, she’s not sure. Is this island truly magic? Is her aunt really a witch? No – it couldn’t be – or could it?

Join Del as she learns about her heritage, her customs, her beliefs and ways of life that have been passed down among the Sea Island families for generations. Her roommate, Ava, becomes a real friend along the way – something Del has never really experienced with her constant moving. 

Author, Eden Royce, is a skilled storyteller who engages the reader from start to finish – teaching you some fascinating facts and stories along the way. I was drawn in from the first page and truly enjoyed reading this book. Included with this post is an Educator’s Guide that accompanies the book. Click HERE to access.

You’ll want this book in your middle grade classroom for next year. Don ‘t forget to leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win your very own copy!