NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Louisiana native Rachel Marsh announced the release of her debut book, “Rougarou Magic,” a middle grade novel that pays a loving homage to the author’s heritage this fall.
Marsh grew up in Baton Rouge, listening to her family’s Cajun folk tales, including spooky stories of the rougarou. In “Rougarou Magic,” Marsh brings Acadiana’s favorite cryptid to life, but with a charming new twist to the classic Cajun character.
Greenwillow Books, a HarperCollins imprint, is publishing “Rougarou Magic.” For the author, being backed by a major national book press is a step towards more authentic representation of Cajun and Louisiana culture at large.
“There are so few books with Cajun characters, and even fewer with Cajun women and girls, taking place in modern times, or set outside of Louisiana,” said Marsh in a press release about the book. “Cajuns are bayou people, and we’re also so much more. I hope I did justice to my family’s culture while also writing a story young readers will love.”
The story follows 12-year-old Feliciana Fruge, a Cajun girl from Terrebonne Parish who recently moved to Boston and is having a hard time adjusting to life in New England. If given the chance, she would gladly move herself and her mom from the freezing city right back to her beloved grandmother’s house in Louisiana.
While Feliciana is dreaming of escaping bland food, her stepdad’s corny jokes and relentless bullying at school, Grandma sends Feliciana a mischievous and magical monster from Cajun folklore – Roux the rougarou. Grandma might have meant for rambunctious Roux to keep Feliciana company, but 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” was featured by Junior Library Guild as a Gold Standard Selection and Kirkus reviews called it “a magically charming debut.” Kathi Appelt, New York Times bestseller, Newbery Honor author, and National Book Award finalist said she “couldn’t put it down.”
Like her protagonist, Marsh moved from Louisiana to Boston while earning her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Children from Simmons University. Also like Feliciana, Marsh knows what it means to miss Louisiana and did not stay away for long. She moved back to New Orleans after completing her MFA. In October, she will embark on a regional Halloween tour to promote “Rougarou Magic,” kicking off with a book signing on Oct. 5 at 12 p.m. at Red Stick Reads in Baton Rouge.
Details at rachelmmarsh.com.
