106 pages • 3 hours read
The Jumbies
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Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Caribbean Island • 2010s
2015
Middle grade
8-12 years
680L
Super Short Summary
The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste follows 11-year-old Corinne La Mer, who accidentally awakens a jumbie—a malevolent spirit—in the forest. With her friends, she learns to use folk magic to subdue the jumbie and save their island. The group encounters various magical and dangerous obstacles, ultimately defeating the jumbie, Severine, and restoring peace to their community. The book includes themes of slavery.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Suspenseful
Dark
Adventurous
Reviews & Readership
6,075 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Tracey Baptiste's The Jumbies captivates readers with its rich Caribbean folklore and compelling storyline. Praised for its vivid imagery and strong female protagonist, it stands out in middle-grade fantasy. Some critics noted pacing issues and occasional predictability, but these do not detract significantly from its charm and cultural authenticity.
Who Should Read The Jumbies?
A reader who enjoys the eerie, folk-tale atmosphere of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman or the mythological richness of Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi would find delight in The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste. This middle-grade novel combines West Indian folklore with spine-tingling adventure, ideal for readers aged 8-12 who love magical realism and cultural tales.
6,075 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Pierre La Mer
Pierre La Mer
Corinne’s father, a fisherman, who provides her with important background information about her family.
Severine
Severine
The antagonist of the story, she is introduced as a powerful figure with a deep connection to the island's jumbie lore.
Drupatee Sareena Rootsingh (Dru)
Drupatee Sareena Rootsingh (Dru)
A new friend of Corinne's from a nearby farming village who initially clings to her mother and is wary of the supernatural.
Bouki and Malik
Bouki and Malik
Brothers who are friends of Corinne and Dru, notable for living independently in a cave and receiving sustenance from a local baker.
240
Novel • Fiction
Caribbean Island • 2010s
2015
Middle grade
8-12 years
680L
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