The Royal Institute of Magic is a prestigious institution dedicated to the teaching and training of young individuals in the field of magic. Located in the heart of the magical world, the institute has a long and esteemed history dating back several centuries. Founded by the great wizard Eleanor Pendragon, the Royal Institute of Magic was established with the aim of nurturing and developing the magical abilities of talented individuals. Over the years, it has grown into a renowned academy known for its rigorous curriculum, exceptional faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. The institute offers a wide array of courses and programs for aspiring wizards and magical beings. Students at the institute undertake a comprehensive curriculum that covers subjects such as spellcasting, potions, charms, magical theory, and history of magic.
By debunking these myths and understanding its origin, rootwork can be viewed as a cultural practice that can be incorporated into everyday life. Educate yourself before passing judgment.
A poignant, necessary entry into the children s literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. The rest of that chapter is a funeral, root magic, a clear-cut explanation of where the story will take place, an introduction to most of the main characters, and the appearance of the villain right at the end.
Students at the institute undertake a comprehensive curriculum that covers subjects such as spellcasting, potions, charms, magical theory, and history of magic. Additionally, they have the opportunity to study advanced fields such as elemental magic, divination, and magical creatures. The faculty at the Royal Institute of Magic is composed of highly skilled and experienced wizards, witches, and magical beings who are dedicated to imparting their knowledge and expertise to the next generation of magical practitioners.
Eden Royce’s Root Magic is the Book I Needed Growing Up
Root Magic is the book I wish I’d had as a little Black girl growing up in the South.
Not only did books like this not exist in the middle grade world in the ’90s, but even if they had, my school library wouldn’t have carried it. They tried to ban over 30 books and made national news for their heavy-handed censorship.
Which is why I’m so glad that Eden Royce wrote this book. Reading about a little Black girl from the South practicing the ancestral magic I grew up witnessing filled a hole in me I didn’t know existed. Finally, I got to see child-me on the page.
Root Magic is not just important for its subject matter, however. It’s also incredible for its nuanced view of racism, classism, and outright hatred against those perceived to hold power over others in a way those others don’t quite comprehend.
Royce’s protagonist, a tween girl named Jezebel, loses her grandmother at the start of this master class in middle grade horror. Her world is turned upside down by the death, and her family’s protection is lessened because the matriarch is no longer there to work the root to protect them all. Eventually, she and her twin brother, Jay, convince their mother and uncle to let them learn rootwork to help protect them from the local deputy, who has it out for all the rootworkers in his area. Jez and Jay learn about all manner of magic, from haints and boo-hags to mojo bags and astral projection. Ultimately, Jez’s knowledge of hoodoo will be tested in one final showdown between the racist cop and her family.
Order now: Apple | Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBoundRoyce’s debut novel does a lot of heavy lifting, especially considering its classification as a middle grade book. Readers are taken on a journey through what it was like to be Black in the South before the Civil Rights Movement. We witness first-hand the Black community’s reaction to the death of John F. Kennedy. And we watch a lonely little girl come into her own power, making the unlikeliest of friends in the process.
Root Magic is also, in many ways, a handbook on practicing conjure work. The references to using graveyard dirt and brick dust for protection brought me back to my own childhood, where my father and grandmother discussed doing the same. The horrifying stories I heard as a child about boo-hags slipping out of their skin to terrorize folks at night also held the warmth of familiarity, despite its ghastly premise. In short, Root Magic made me feel like I was home again.
But it’s important to note that this book is more than just a trip down memory lane for those of us who grew up with hoodoo. While that’s incredibly important and powerful to those kids living in families just like the Turners, Root Magic is also a lens through which readers can understand what it was like to grow up during an uncertain and horrifying time to be Black. But perhaps even more essentially, it underscores the idea that “not all skinfolk are kinfolk”; that Black people experience racism from their country and fellow citizens, but that they are also sometimes looked down upon by people experiencing those same struggles. Jez is constantly teased about her family’s involvement in rootwork by the other Black girls in her school, though many of the kids that tease her have parents that frequent her family’s shop for simple remedies for healing medical maladies, as well as spells to address imbalances of the less natural variety.
Royce does an excellent job of crafting a compelling story from start to finish. From the first line, we are drawn into the world she grew up in. Every building block of story serves a purpose to push the narrative forward, while also setting up major reveals later in the book. The children in Root Magic are believable in their actions, and openly grapple with questions other middle school kids work through at this point in their lives–the quest for friends, for finding what it is you stand for, and for becoming your own person outside of your family, while still remaining connected to them in a meaningful way.
For me, Root Magic was a joy to read. In fact, I can’t wait to read it with my own son to introduce him to some of the lore that I grew up with. This book will introduce a whole new generation to rootwork and ensure that it never dies. Because rootwork has primarily been an oral tradition passed down from parents and grandparents to children, much of it is not documented in any way. To learn it requires finding a mentor familiar with the work. But in writing this novel, Royce has opened the door for children to see their previously secretive culture out in the world, but still treated with the reverence and respect it deserves.
In many ways, this novel felt like it was a love letter to 12-year-old me–the girl who couldn’t find books with people that looked like her, much less those who believed like her. And while girls like me are definitely in the minority, even among other southern Black people, it’s incredibly important that those kids–especially those kids–have a mirror they can peer into while they are trying to figure out where they belong in this world.
Librarians across the country–both public and school–should race to acquire copies of this book. Every single place where kids check out books needs a copy of Root Magic. You never know who might need this book, and what magic it might work on their soul.
Order Root Magic now:
Apple | Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
And don’t miss our interview with Eden Royce here.
Many of us have been in church and someone said to us, “The Lord told me to tell you…” You see how it is all connected?
With their guidance and mentorship, students are able to harness their magical abilities and develop their unique talents. The institute also boasts state-of-the-art facilities that provide students with the resources they need to excel in their magical studies. The library at the institute is renowned for its vast collection of magical texts, grimoires, and books on various magical subjects. Additionally, the institute has well-equipped laboratories, practice rooms, and dueling arenas to facilitate practical training and experimentation. Apart from academic pursuits, the Royal Institute of Magic also places a strong emphasis on character development and personal growth. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities such as magical sports, clubs, and community service projects. These activities help foster teamwork, leadership, and a sense of responsibility among the students. Graduates of the Royal Institute of Magic are highly sought after in the magical world, with many going on to hold prestigious positions within the ministry, magical research institutions, or establishing their own practices. The institute's alumni network is strong, with graduates often returning to share their experiences and offer guidance to current students. In conclusion, the Royal Institute of Magic is a premier institution that provides a comprehensive and rigorous education in the field of magic. With its esteemed faculty, modern facilities, and emphasis on character development, it prepares its students to become skilled and responsible wizards and magical beings, ready to contribute to the magical world..
Reviews for "The Trials and Tribulations of Life at the Royal Institute of Magic"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to attend the Royal Institute of Magic, but I left feeling disappointed. The lectures were boring and lacked any real substance. The professors seemed uninterested and didn't engage with the students. The facilities were outdated and in need of repair. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time and money on a subpar education.
2. James - 1 star - The Royal Institute of Magic is a complete joke. The curriculum is outdated and irrelevant to real-world magical practices. The professors are more interested in their own research than teaching students. The administration is unhelpful and disorganized. Save your money and go to a different magic school that actually values its students.
3. Samantha - 3 stars - While the Royal Institute of Magic had some redeeming qualities, overall, I was left unimpressed. The classes were too theoretical and didn't provide enough practical experience. The professors were knowledgeable, but lacked the ability to effectively convey their knowledge to the students. The campus was beautiful, but the dorms were crowded and uncomfortable. I wouldn't recommend this school unless you're just looking for a prestigious name on your resume.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the Royal Institute of Magic, but it fell short in many ways. The curriculum focused too much on theory and not enough on practical skills. The professors were knowledgeable, but seemed disconnected from the students. The campus was impressive, but the facilities were outdated and in need of renovation. If you're serious about pursuing a career in magic, I would suggest looking elsewhere for a more comprehensive education.