Rougarou Magic

Author: Rachel M. Marsh

Hardcover

In her second year of living in Boston, sixth-grader Feliciana Fruge misses everything about Louisiana but is determined to try and fit in and conceal her Cajun heritage; however, her plans are thwarted by the unexpected arrival of Roux, a magical swamp monster.

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Summary

Description

After discovering that the creatures from Cajun folklore actually exist, Feliciana is torn between hiding her Southern heritage and starting fresh at her new school--all while caring for an unexpected magical friend. Rachel M. Marsh's debut novel is for fans of Tracey Baptiste's The Jumbies and Katherine Applegate's Crenshaw.

Twelve-year-old Feliciana Fruge does not like Boston. If given the chance, she would gladly move herself and her mom from the freezing city right back to Grandma's house in Louisiana. Feliciana dreams of escaping her stepfather's corny jokes and bland food and the relentless bullying at school for "being poor" and having a Southern accent.

So, when she transfers to a new school and has the chance to start fresh, Feliciana plans to be as un-Cajun as possible in order to blend in. But then Grandma sends Feliciana a mischievous and magical monster from Cajun folklore--Roux the rougarou. While Grandma might have meant for rambunctious Roux to keep Feliciana company, now Feliciana must juggle making new friends, outsmarting a bully, creating her best art to qualify for an upcoming competition--and hiding her mysterious, magical canine companion from everyone.

Rougarou Magic is a magic-laced, tenderly drawn love letter to Cajun folklore, the bittersweetness of starting over when you least expect it, and the unlikely friends you make along the way. Rachel M. Marsh's debut novel explores themes of friendship, family, self-identity, and change and will captivate animal lovers and fans of Ghost Squad.

Critic Reviews

"Starting sixth grade at a new school, Feliciana hopes to keep her Southern origins to herself. There's only one problem: On her first day at Revere Academy, a wolflike creature from Cajun legend shows up, watching her with glowing yellow eyes. . . . But [Feliciana] discovers there's more to the rougarou--and Boston--than she ever expected. Marsh tackles bullying, alienation, and displacement through the powerful lenses of myth and legend. . . . A magically charming debut." -- Kirkus Reviews

"By the time this story is through, every reader will want their own yellow-eyed, horned-eared, ferociously loyal rougarou. An enchanting exploration of Cajun folklore and traditions in a contemporary setting, written with heart." -- Elaine Dimopoulos, author of the Milkweed Meadow series

"Just when the world--especially Feliciana's world--needs a fair amount of creativity and magic in order to hang on in her new surroundings, a creature from the darkest bayous arrives to hearken the wind and rain and even snow. With glowing eyes and sharp teeth, a story takes shape, bringing both old and new together--and I couldn't put it down." -- Kathi Appelt, New York Times bestseller, Newbery Honor author, and National Book Award finalist

"Marsh's debut cleverly weaves folklore with the realism of middle-school drama, along with a sprinkle of humor and magic, to create a quick read that fills a void in most library collections. It will appeal to a wide range of readers, sharing the important message that your best self is your true self--and your roots will ground you wherever you're planted. Readers will gravitate toward this quirky story of family and friendship." -- Booklist

"This ultimately heartwarming novel contains lots of self-reflection on Feliciana's heritage as she grows to embrace it, as well as comic relief from her offbeat new pet. . . . Cajun words, traditions, and foods are peppered throughout the text and lovingly explained." -- Horn Book Magazine

About the Author

Rachel M. Marsh earned her MFA in creative writing for children from Simmons University in Boston. She is the author of Rougarou Magic, which was a 2024 Junior Library Guild selection. She lives in New Orleans, where she and her husband eat the world's best food and renovate their almost-hundred-year-old house.