Bumps in the Night

Starred review from November 6, 2023
A rebellious aspiring artist and incoming eighth grader delves into her family’s history—and learns that monsters and magic are real—in this electrifying adventure by Howard. After being written up for vandalism “again” and kicked off the soccer team, brown-skinned Darika “Rika” Lovelace-Rose’s frustrated father confiscates all her electronic devices and sends her from Colorado to Trinidad to spend the summer with her maternal grandmother. Upon arrival, Rika meets handyman Becks, who escorts her and Granny to the family estate. Becks warns Rika of the erratic weather the island has been experiencing and implores her to stay away from the nearby woods, claiming that the devil resides there. Though Rika doesn’t believe in magic or monsters, she can’t shake the feeling that her absent mother might be closer than she thinks. After Rika unearths a grimoire with her own name on it, she discovers that she comes from a long line of witches, prompting her to team up with new friends to search for her mother and uncover the truth behind the devil in the woods. Rika’s determination to embrace her newfound magical abilities and save her family and maternal country land are admirably depicted. Combined with fantastical, climate-conscious scenarios and vivacious and illuminating Black Indo-Trinidadian diaspora folklore that springs from the pages, this beguiling read—led by an intrepid heroine—is one to savor. Ages 8–12.

December 1, 2023
A 12-year-old has a lot to learn about her true powers and her mom's side of the family before she can save everyone she loves. Since her parents' divorce and her mother's disappearance, Skittles-loving Rika Lovelace-Rose from Colorado has had a lot of complicated feelings but not the best channels for expressing them. Sending her to visit Granny in Trinidad and Tobago was supposed to help. Yet, when she meets a talking iguana and a grimoire speaks to her, it becomes obvious to Rika that there's a lot more to her maternal line than meets the eye. An art project offers a revelation that may answer questions about where Mom's gone. With Piku (the baby iguana with the heart of a dragon) in tow, Rika teams up with a crew of magical tweens to uncover even more Trini folkloric mysteries that, as a Lovelace, she's intimately tied to. Eventually, it becomes obvious: Rika is a witch. The father of Nox, Rika's annoyingly cute crush, is trapped along with Rika's mom in an evil silk cotton tree; to get them back and save the world, Rika and friends must work together to navigate a maze, overcome puzzling trials, and combat Caribbean monsters, including douens, a soucouyant, and la diablesse. The twists and turns, mythological elements, and compelling narration pack a punch. The novel centers Black and brown characters, reflecting the diversity of the setting. Exciting, culturally rich fun and adventure. (author's note) (Paranormal. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
Twelve-year-old Darika Lovelace is spending the summer in Trinidad with her grandmother; she feels like her dad and stepmother don't want her around because she has been getting in trouble. She also misses her mom, who left two years earlier. When she arrives in Trinidad, she notices a strange woman looking at her; she asks about it, but Granny brushes her off. Later, Granny asks her to clear out her mother's childhood room and finish the mural her mom started. While painting the mural, Darika begins to have strange visions of her mom trapped in a tree she painted. Darika learns from some neighborhood kids that she is a witch and must save her mother. Howard mixes Trinidadian folklore with present-day issues to create a fast-paced adventure. Her descriptions of the island are vivid and create a strong sense of place; references to popular video games add appeal. Fans of Baptiste's Jumbies series will enjoy this accessible page-turner. Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

February 1, 2024
Grades 4-7 Now that her mom is supposedly off in New York and her dad is remarried to a woman with two children, Darika "Rika" Lovelace can't help but feel abandoned. After defacing school property using her artistic skills--a possible cry for attention--Rika is shipped off from Colorado to her granny's in Trinidad for the summer. Upon arrival, supernatural events involving jumbies (monsters) and evil spirits spring forth, revealing secrets of her maternal family's connection to witchcraft, along with her mother's true whereabouts. Rika will need to trust herself and work with new friends (and an adorable talking iguana) to protect the island--and the world--from further havoc. Howard, popular with adult and teen readers, fills her first middle-grade fantasy with Trinidadian folklore. She smoothly intertwines environmental issues and romance into the story for more depth. Many young readers will empathize as Rika learns to connect with her blended family, all the while gaining confidence in herself and her magic. An excellent read for those who crave adventure with a touch of eeriness.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
Twelve-year-old Darika Lovelace is spending the summer in Trinidad with her grandmother; she feels like her dad and stepmother don't want her around because she has been getting in trouble. She also misses her mom, who left two years earlier. When she arrives in Trinidad, she notices a strange woman looking at her; she asks about it, but Granny brushes her off. Later, Granny asks her to clear out her mother's childhood room and finish the mural her mom started. While painting the mural, Darika begins to have strange visions of her mom trapped in a tree she painted. Darika learns from some neighborhood kids that she is a witch and must save her mother. Howard mixes Trinidadian folklore with present-day issues to create a fast-paced adventure. Her descriptions of the island are vivid and create a strong sense of place; references to popular video games add appeal. Fans of Baptiste's Jumbies series will enjoy this accessible page-turner.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)