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edshara's review against another edition
2.0
I have so many different thoughts on this book, its hard to write a review. I liked Bayou Magic but I wasn't as impressed with it as I thought I would be.
I did enjoy how descriptive the book was. I could really picture the Bayou and how amazing it must be to live in a place like that. The sense of community and friendship was evident in the neighbors and I especially liked the relationship between Maddy and Bear. I also loved how Maddy's grandmother allowed her to just be a kid and explore the Bayou without any real restrictions.
I have a thing for mermaids("The Little Mermaid" is one of my favorite movies) but the lack of diversity tends to keep me from pursuing more mermaid themed items, books or movies. So I was really excited about the African American mermaid character:
"I've seen pictures of brown-, blond-, and red-haired mermaids with white faces. I never thought a mermaid might look like me."(pg 142 of my e-book-chapter titled Fish Tails)
I guess I would have liked this book more if Maddy's magic was that she was a mermaid. However, her magic, seemed to be more intuitive and telepathic. This was a decent book but it just wasn't what I thought it was going to be. Still might be worth a read for some, I just don't think it would be one of the first I'd recommend.
I did enjoy how descriptive the book was. I could really picture the Bayou and how amazing it must be to live in a place like that. The sense of community and friendship was evident in the neighbors and I especially liked the relationship between Maddy and Bear. I also loved how Maddy's grandmother allowed her to just be a kid and explore the Bayou without any real restrictions.
I have a thing for mermaids("The Little Mermaid" is one of my favorite movies) but the lack of diversity tends to keep me from pursuing more mermaid themed items, books or movies. So I was really excited about the African American mermaid character:
"I've seen pictures of brown-, blond-, and red-haired mermaids with white faces. I never thought a mermaid might look like me."(pg 142 of my e-book-chapter titled Fish Tails)
I guess I would have liked this book more if Maddy's magic was that she was a mermaid. However, her magic, seemed to be more intuitive and telepathic. This was a decent book but it just wasn't what I thought it was going to be. Still might be worth a read for some, I just don't think it would be one of the first I'd recommend.
hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
An enticingly rich stew of ideas and characters, that becomes a little overstuffed and didactic. Maddy spends a summer in Bayou Bon Temps on the Gulf Coast with her grandmother, and is able to fulfill her dream of being a hero when tragedy strikes. Read my full review here.
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I read this for the Torchlight program, and initially I was not all that excited about it. It definitely surprised me by its depth and complexity. Rhodes skillfully marries elements of magical realism with a tale that digs into issues of environmental sustainability, family history and lineage, abusive relationships, and more. Maddie is accessible to kids (I think!), and like the best magical realism, the magical elements appear sparingly and the beating heart of the book is the characters, their relationships, and their dedication to the setting and each other.
theokaysarah's review against another edition
5.0
Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes is an excellent story that I plan to include in my future classroom library. The fantasy aspect of this story is exciting and engaging, and yet this story is still able to touch on genuine issues. This book manages to address environmental issues and slavery in an age-appropriate manner respectfully. These real and raw experiences are not outshined by the fantasy element of this novel but instead uplifted. Rhodes' ability to compile all of the previously mentioned aspects into this one story is impressive to say the least! My one critique is that there's a lot of exposition before the story gets going, which may not entice some readers. With all this in mind, I truly am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book as it was a wonderful read!
amelia_herring's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully lyrical, lovely story. Ending wrapped up a bit too quickly and neatly.
brandypainter's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This is a great book to hand to 3rd-5th graders who love stories of magic, friendship, and family. I enjoyed the relationship between Maddy and her grandmother most of all. This is a story rich in history and tradition. The bayou setting is beautiful, detailed, and feels exactly as I imagine the bayou to be. The books only real weakness is its pacing. There are parts that are a little too slow and others that feel rushed. This may have been intentional for the plot, but it made for a disconcerting reading experience at times.
This is a great book to hand to 3rd-5th graders who love stories of magic, friendship, and family. I enjoyed the relationship between Maddy and her grandmother most of all. This is a story rich in history and tradition. The bayou setting is beautiful, detailed, and feels exactly as I imagine the bayou to be. The books only real weakness is its pacing. There are parts that are a little too slow and others that feel rushed. This may have been intentional for the plot, but it made for a disconcerting reading experience at times.
dancearh's review against another edition
5.0
Love love love this novel! Based around the Deep Water Horizon explosion and the damage done to the environment. This is a book that will hit home for anyone that lives on the gulf.
neglet's review against another edition
Great use of the bayou setting, and a sympathetic heroine who finds herself faced with some serious problems. Would be great for young readers who love stories about animals and magic.
megatsunami's review against another edition
4.0
This fusion of magic, myth, relationships, environment, and story was just beautiful. Occasionally it sacrificed convincing dialogue for the sake of a point (like having an eleven-year-old speak like a teacher), but generally really lovely.