HOODOO, by Ronald L. Smith

The story: Hoodoo's family practices folk magic, and what with his heart-shaped birthmark, he's a shoo-in to have magical powers too. Except he doesn't--until a scary demon comes to town, a family secret is uncovered, and Hoodoo realizes he's going to have to defeat The Stranger, powers or not. Can Hoodoo finish what his daddy started so long ago?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG-13; GLBT content G; adult themes (demonic powers, voodoo, bullying, implications of racism) PG-13; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Here's a scary story with an unusual setting--the Jim Crow South of the 1930s. Hoodoo is a likable hero with a big problem, and there are no easy outs for him. Give this to kids who like scary stuff in an unusual setting.