Hank McCord, and a soon-to-be black friend Calvin Yates, witnessed Hank's best friend's murder. After the murder, the two boys were forced to realize just how deep racial tensions ran in early twentieth century America. The murderers, Hank's bosses, would do anything to kill Hank and Calvin. The bosses feared that the murder victim had told Hank and Calvin about a secret operation the bosses were planning. Later, the two boys visited a woman known as the "Witch Lady", or the "Finder of all Things." Miz Mancala, the Witch Lady's real name, possessed the mental gift of finding misplaced objects, and she could partially predict the future. When Calvin and Hank were framed for the murder, the KKK showed up and threatened to search and burn down the entire black village until the boys were found. In C.M. Fleming's book, Finder's Magic, friendship is more powerful than skin color. Can the two preteens release the truth about who murdered Jeb, and determine how to stop the bosses' secret operation, or will their lives come to a screeching halt?
I enjoyed Finder's Magic although the beginning was a bit boring and didn't grab my immediate attention. But the more I read, the more I liked it. Several chapters were predictable but there were a few things that surprised me. Even without the setting, readers can easily tell that the characters are from the south, just because of their word choice. I really appreciated the moral: Look for the qualities of the heart; the inside and the personality, not just the outside skin color, eyes, and looks overall. Fleming makes readers realize how much that simple moral can change the future, thoughts, people, or entire country. I found that moving. Overall, the voice of the book was great because the characters seemed real. Some parts were funny then serious, Finder's Magic would make a great read-aloud.
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Osseo, Wisconsin United States
