THE JUMBIES, by Tracey Baptiste

The story: Corinne and her father don't believe in jumbies--trouble-making spirits that supposedly haunt their Caribbean island. At least, they don't believe until they meet one...and by then, it's almost too late. Can Corinne learn to use her dead mother's magic to save them all?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; SUbstance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (demonic influences) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Here's a story with just the right amount of scare factor for the grade 4-6 crowd. Baptiste introduced folklore figures from her native Trinidad with great success and ratchets up the suspense skilfully, leaving the reader wondering right up till the very end just how this unusual adventure is going to turn out!