Rogelia's House of Magic (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Rogelia's House of Magic Katrina Bromann Wood, Jamie Martinez; Rogelia's House of Magic. Delacorte, 2008; [320p] Library ed. ISBN 978-0-385-90476-6 $18.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-385-73477-6 $15.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 8-10 It's the beginning of a sisterhood in Orange County, California, and this summer the magic lies not in a pair of pants but rather in curanderismo, a spiritual healing [End Page 501] tradition that has been handed down through generations of Mexican-American women. Three fifteen-year-old Latinas, Marina Peralta, Fernanda Fuego, and Xochitl Garcia, aspire to learn the ritualistic art from a wise curandera, Rogelia Garcia, who is Xochitl's grandmother and the new maid for the Peraltas. Though still reeling from the emigration from Mexico that claimed the life of her twin sister, Xochitl now joins Marina and Fern for a summer steeped in ritual and enhanced by its fair share of boy drama and anti-mother rebellions. Like any good sisterhood, the girls end up sharing their sorrows and growing closer through their trials: Marina finds the courage to respectfully stand up to her mother, Fern makes a move to get back her guy, and Xochitl lets go of her sister while accepting her new life and new friends. The girls' supernatural talent progresses quickly (Marina can hear thoughts, Fern can see auras, and Xochitl can make herself disappear), and each girl develops an inner strength as she deepens her magical ability. By interlacing weighty ideas of embracing one's heritage and saving the earth with frothy brand-name dropping, Wood has created an unusual admixture that could draw in both spellmakers (spells offered at the end of the book include "Charging a Crystal Wand" and "Silky Smooth Skin Spell") and gossip girls. While this doesn't quite provide the vivacity that makes the original Sisterhood reign supreme, it offers a genuinely likable spell-casting trio ready for believing, taking chances, and healing. [End Page 502] Copyright © 2008 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois