Title: Saci Kids: The Magic of Red
Author: Pamela A. Russell
Publisher: Pamela A. Russell
ISBN: 979-8993069517
Pages:114
Genre: Children’s / Middle Grade
Reviewer: Jenn Bailey
Pacific Book Review
Saci Kids: The Magic of Red by Pamela Russell is a novel filled with cultural folklore, adventure, and humor. While the book is marketed towards middle grade readers, readers of all ages will find enjoyment in this tale that follows four foster children’s search for connection and a place to belong as they learn such things can be found in the most unlikely of places, and with unexpected people.
Inside an antique rum barrel Holly, Ethan, Ashley, and Drew find Saci, a one-legged elf with a red cap with magical powers, a pungent scent of rotten eggs, and impeccable charisma and charm. The four kids quickly find out Saci has a love of tricks and whimsical nature, introduces humor, and sheer chaos, compelling the children to work together to understand this mysterious being. They work together to try to avoid a devious antiques dealer, who thinks he can fool the children out of their rare discovery.
The interplay between Sací’s trickster nature and the children’s resourcefulness creates a rich, imaginative story that entertains and covertly delivers messages of teamwork, empathy and embracing the things that make us different and unique. An important thing to note is Russell’s sensitivity to the foster care experience. She can portray the vulnerability and resilience the children have with warmth and compassion. She highlights all the good aspects such as familial bonds through nurturing parents and creating bonds with sibling figures all while avoiding depictions of trauma or pain.
Russell spins a tale filled with themes of family, self-identity, and belonging/acceptance through the eyes of children who come from different walks of life. The four children in this novel embody strength and courage as they navigate life in the foster system and soon encounter the extraordinary and things that seem to be unreal. The use of Brazilian folklore to bring this story to life adds depth to the narrative and introduces young readers to a mythological world they may now be aware of in a way that is fun and exciting.
This is a great novel that shows that families come in many different shapes, sizes, and don’t always have to be tied together genetically. Saci Kids: The Magic of Red is an unforgettable tale of magical tomfoolery, the bonds of friendship, and the real meaning of family. This is the perfect book for kids of all ages who enjoy a tale filled with action and adventure. This is a novel that deserves a notable mention; it is a heartwarming and entertaining book to read solo, or together as a family.
