Rougarou Magic

by Rachel M. Marsh

After discovering that the creatures from Cajun folklore actually exist, Feliciana is torn between hiding her 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.

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.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mythology, Fiction, Childrens, Magical Realism, Audiobook

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rougarou Magic
By: Rachel Marsh
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A debut book written by a local author interpersed with loads of Cajun folklore? Call me overjoyed! This book is captivating & endearing in every way.
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The MC, Feliciana Fruge', is struggling to adapt to a new school & home & town after bring uprooted from her native Louisiana. Her Cajun grandmother sends her a magical "rougarou" to assist her with her transition to life in Boston with her mom & a new stepdad.
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My family is Cajun. I was born a Lege', & my grandparents spoke true Cajun French! So I enjoyed the many Cajun expressions, meals, & traditions shared in this gem of a story.
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I hope all young girls in Louisiana read this story, as well as all young Louisiana boys! It is classified as "juvenile fiction," which I often enjoy.
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Looking forward to another one by this bright young author!
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[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this middle grade fantasy debut Feliciana has lived in Boston for a year, but still doesn't like anything about it. She doesn't like the weather, being away from her grandmother, her step-dad's bland cooking, or the kids in her last school who made fun of her Cajun roots. Which is why she's determined to hide her Louisiana background when she gets to start over for sixth grade at a private middle school. Hiding her background, however, becomes easier said than done when a giant mythical dog-like creature shows up in the park between her home and her school. The rougarou and his magic create one problem after another for Feliciana, but he also creates an opportunity for her to learn to embrace who she is. Marsh has woven typical middle school and step-family drama into an adventure full of warmth and humor. Information about Cajun culture is woven throughout the story. Readers will be encouraged by the friendships Feliciana embraces as she learns to embrace her background.

Recommended for readers in grades 4-7.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this middle grade fantasy debut Feliciana has lived in Boston for a year, but still doesn't like anything about it. She doesn't like the weather, being away from her grandmother, her step-dad's bland cooking, or the kids in her last school who made fun of her Cajun roots. Which is why she's determined to hide her Louisiana background when she gets to start over for sixth grade at a private middle school. Hiding her background, however, becomes easier said than done when a giant mythical dog-like creature shows up in the park between her home and her school. The rougarou and his magic create one problem after another for Feliciana, but he also creates an opportunity for her to learn to embrace who she is.

Marsh has woven typical middle school and step-family drama into an adventure full of warmth and humor. Information about Cajun culture is woven throughout the story. Readers will be encouraged by the friendships Feliciana embraces as she learns to embrace her background.

Recommended for readers in grades 4-7.

K.M.
School Librarian

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

ROUGAROU MAGIC by Rachel M. Marsh (library request and pre-order now, in stores 9/10!)

What if those terrifying bedtime stories Grandma told you came true…but like to play fetch?! Feliciana’s move from Louisiana to Massachusetts has not been easy. New step-dad, new city, and a new bully mocking her accent and Cajun heritage that she’s always been so proud of. But when Feliciana thinks she has to make herself small to fit in at school, she is faced with a big surprise. It is covered in fur, has massive paws, and stalks Feliciana through the forest with two glowing yellow eyes. Pas bon! Or maybe…super bon? The rougarou might be straight out of Louisiana werewolf legend, but it is a very real beast that Feliciana now needs to take care of and protect from Animal Control while competing in an art competition that allows her to find her voice, make friends, and connect with Boston. It is a really heartwarming story that shows how we can keep connected to our home and heritage even in a new place, and I think young readers are going to cheer when they see how Feliciana does that at home and in school by the book’s end. I loved seeing Feliciana’s teachers take the time to speak with her about how they were pronouncing her name and in expressing how much they valued her intelligence and talent—a powerful reminder of the power of educators in helping out children recognize their value and believe in themselves. With woodland, Halloween, and chase scenes, I think this will be a fabulous and thrilling fall read for tweens! Highly recommend!

#rougaroumagic #rachelmmarsh #middlegrade #2024debuts #debutauthor

[Kacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a fast-paced, (almost) realistic story with good characters and an excellent magical animal companion that’s an all around great middle grade read! It hit all the emotional notes I expect from a book for this age level with good conflicts that never felt over the top or too frustrating even when the main character, Feliciana, makes mistakes that could be avoidable if she wasn’t so authentically 11 years old.

Slight spoilers: I really liked that this story took place a full year after Feliciana moved to Boston. A lot of books that feature a character who’s moved across the country tell a standard ‘fish out of water’ type of narrative and show the direct aftermath of a move, but this was much more nuanced.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this delightful and heartwarming story from the bayou set in Boston’s Jamaica Plain. As a former classroom teacher and retired school librarian there is so much to love about this debut novel. It would be a great read aloud for middle and elementary grades and there are so many possibilities for cross curricular connections. I see a study of artists and their techniques, Cajun dancing in PE, Cajun music in music class, the study of the Cajun culture and history in Social Studies and legends and folklore in ELA to name a few. The book captures the themes of moving, friendship, being the new student, bullying, and families and hits the sweet spot of appealing to boys and girls. I hope to see a lot more of Feliciana and author, Rachel Marsh.

[Ember Moto · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you yo Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy

a story of a young girl named Feliciana who is struggling to make a home for herself in Boston while staying true to her Cajun roots. With the help of a creature from Cajun folklore, a Rougarou, sent by her grandma Feliciana just might be able to find a way to be Cajun and Boston.

This is a wonderful story about the struggle to find your authentic self with a little Cajun magic thrown in the mix.

I will admit to not know a lot about Cajun folklore or history and before reading this book the only other Cajun character I could name off the top of my head is Gambit from the X-men. It is nice to see some more representation and After reading this book I want to dig more into Cajun folklore.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Can't say I can think of any other middle grade books featuring Cajun characters, other than Maberry 2015 The Orphan Army and maybe Fournet's Brick Dust and BonesBrick Dust and Bones (a rougarou is involved, but my knowledge of Cajun culture is not great). It makes perfect sense to have a fantasy novel involving the rich folklore and belief in magic. Boston is not a place I would want to live, but neither is the South, so the problems with Feliciana living in Boston made perfect sense. I'll take my food bland, thanks, although here in Ohio I like to think that we would all be a lot nicer to Feliciana.

[Tanya Rutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rougarou Magic is a beautiful story about a middle school girl learning to love who she is and accept change. Feliciana deals with anger over a move from Louisiana to Boston, with hesitation over accepting her step father, and bullying and loneliness in new schools. With some magical help sent by her grandmother in Louisiana, Feliciana comes to accept who she is and love herself. She finds friendship and happiness in her new home and family. This book dealt so well with deep, difficult emotions, and showed that you can love who you are and move forward with the future you’ve been given at the same time.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and it was lovely. I have to admit there were times the author’s or the narrator’s voice reminded me of Cher in “Clueless” when the main character gets really contemplative. It was kind of delightful and it amused me to try and figure out if it was the author, the narrator, or both. I came to the conclusion that it was a combination of the author’s phrasing and the narrator’s voice.

That being said, I enjoyed this story and the main character’s growth. It’s definitely tough trying to figure out how to handle social dynamics after moving. I’d recommend this to any child who’s ever had to move.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her mom remarries and moves them all the way from Louisiana to Boston, Feliciana struggles to fit in at her new school. It's not long before she's being stalked by a monster - a rougarou from Cajun folklore! But it turns out, the rougarou isn't there to harm her but to bring a bit of her hometown up to chilly Boston.

Sweet story about a girl struggling to fit in in a new place and dealing with bullying.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This book weaves a Cajun myth through the pages. Even though Feliciana isn’t new to her Boston school, she still feels like the outsider. She learns that if you give people a chance; they can surprise you.

[Mariella Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A soft story about about grief and art and magic and being proud of your family's heritage even when others mistreat you for it. The story of a Cajun girl and her "magic dog" and the family and friends they find together. A story about finding yourself and being proud of who you are.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid story with a touch of magic, an adorable dog like creature, overcoming bullies, and making friends. Add in artists struggling with following the rules or following your heart and you’ve got a great story.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion - the audiobook narrator made this book 🤩 amazing.

Liked the Cajun mythology - I want a Roux! Loved the grandma and the character development. Excellent writing and plot line for a middle grade book.

[Mary Averling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The loveliest, most magical fall read! Rachel M. Marsh's debut is packed with yearning and heaps of Cajun heart. I adored it 🖤🐺

[Robyn Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly saw this at the library and had to read it once I read the description. I really enjoyed this story, the Louisiana/Cajun love, and the growth.

[ShilohAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled across this audiobook via our library. It was highly enjoyable and we bought a book for a friend’s holiday gift. Don’t miss this one!

[Natalia Kotecki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely meant for younger audiences.

[Bonnie Dupré Isacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great and local middle school fiction

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Elizabeth Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star read for the age group. Very sweet.

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming and magical tale about embracing your talents and your true self!