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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This title on is the 2016-17 Texas Bluebonnet Award list. I enjoy books that use multiple points of view, and the main narrators of this book are Micah and his Grandpa Ephraim, who has been taking care of 11 year old Micah since his parents died. Grandpa Ephraim has always been a wonderful story teller, and has told Micah for years about Circus Mirandus, and magical world of entertainment that he found as a child, and visited again as a young man. Grandpa Ephraim is very ill, and his sister Gertrude comes to take care of him and Micah, but she becomes very angry anytime Circus Mirandus is mentioned. Grandpa is able to share with Micah a new story, regarding a miracle that a member of the Circus owes him, and Micah sets out to find this magical circus with the help of his friend Jenny, in hopes of saving his grandfather before it is too late. I recommend this book for grades 3 through 6. The audio version was well done, and is available on OverDrive.
Magical realism at its finest. This story weaves a beautiful narrative that makes you wish Circus Mirandus would come to your town, all while tackling difficult issues like loss.
This book was delightful. The story itself, told partial in flashbacks, moved along nicely. The characters were a bit one dimensional at times, but that worked well for the story. And though I saw the ending coming, it was exactly as it should have been - except **SPOILERS** I wanted the great aunt to have a chance at redemption... In my imagination, she'll get it.
Why didn't I hear the music? Or did I hear it and forgot it all? Ugh, this is the worst part about fantasy books. Of course, as adults "magic doesn't exist, no such thing," but what if it does. But then if it does, how come you don't know about it? Such a freaking struggle. Now about the book... it is magical, duh. The circus sounds outstanding and Micha's struggle to save his grandfather is touching. Jenny is a great side character as she helps Micha while battling her own fight.
Warnings: animal cruelty, magic, muggles
Warnings: animal cruelty, magic, muggles
There's something about this that I can't quite pinpoint that's keeping me from a more enthusiastic review. The writing is quite good. I was quickly pulled into the novel and read it in one sitting. However, there's a definite heavy handed mantra that magic exists for only the believers. "You have to believe it to see it," says the novel's back cover. This is an age old premise and Beasley doesn't add anything new to the canon but it is a sweet and tender story. The story meanders a bit and strays from the main plot line and for a brief time I worried that it had become something with a more moralistic design but in the end it veered away from this and focused on the relationship between Micah and his grandfather. It's good but not great.
I read this around two years ago, and I absolutely loved it! It was really unique and I really recommend it:))
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a delightful children's fantasy about a young boy who journeys to the elusive and wondrous Circus Mirandus in hopes of meeting the Lightbender who promised his grandfather a miracle long ago.
Along the way, he discovers there's more to his grandfather's past than he thought and that he may have some magic of his own.
Circus Mirandus has all the highlights of a good children's fantasy: a have-to-believe-it-to-see-it magic system, an orphan boy, a cruel aunt, and a skeptic girl with a kind soul.
Highly recommend for children and children at heart or anyone who needs a nice, quick read.
Along the way, he discovers there's more to his grandfather's past than he thought and that he may have some magic of his own.
Circus Mirandus has all the highlights of a good children's fantasy: a have-to-believe-it-to-see-it magic system, an orphan boy, a cruel aunt, and a skeptic girl with a kind soul.
Highly recommend for children and children at heart or anyone who needs a nice, quick read.
Very cute story about a boy's love for his grandpa and the lengths he will go to for a miracle.