Freedom Fire: Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos

From the best-selling author of the Jumbies series comes an Afro-Caribbean-inspired story about three cousins who discover they are mokos--protector spirits--during carnival season in Brooklyn

Weirdness and wonders abound in this colorful celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture by the author of the beloved Jumbies series.

Twelve-year-old Misty and her mother have just moved from Trinidad to Brooklyn, New York, in time for the annual carnival celebrations over Labor Day weekend. Misty has plenty to deal with getting used to living with her cousins Aiden and Brooke in her new surroundings. On top of that, her mom is too busy trying to find a job and her aunts and uncles are too preoccupied with carnival preparations to pay any attention to her.

Then really strange things begin to happen. A ball of feathers in the basement turns into a creature that squeaks and rolls around. When Misty and her cousins eat pieces of mango anchar, flames shoot out of their mouths. Most disturbing of all, Misty begins to see visions of the future--scary visions that soon come true.

Misty discovers that she and her cousins come from a long line of mokos, people who have special powers meant to help them protect their community. Misty can see impending danger, Aiden can heal, and Brooke has crazy physical strength. The trio is just learning about their skills when Misty senses something watching her. And then each of the carnival events is disrupted by a different disaster. Some kind of evil force is clearly trying to stop the festivities. But why? And will moko magic be enough to save the day?

Author: Tracey Baptiste
Publisher: Freedom Fire
Published: 08/06/2024
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.01lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 1.50d
ISBN: 9781368074377
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 05/27/2024
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2024
Booklist 07/01/2024 pg. 84

About the Author
Tracey Baptiste (she/her) was born in Trinidad and lived there for fifteen years before moving to Brooklyn, New York. She is the New York Times best-selling author of Minecraft: The Crash, as well as the creepy Caribbean-inspired series the Jumbies, which includes The Jumbies, Rise of the Jumbies, and The Jumbie God's Revenge. Tracey has also written the contemporary YA novel Angel's Grace and many nonfiction books, including African Icons, which was named a Best Book of 2021 by the New York Public Library, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. Tracey, a former elementary school teacher, is on the faculty at Lesley University's Creative Writing MFA program. She lives in New Jersey. Visit her online at TraceyBaptiste.com and Instagram @TraceyBaptisteWrites.