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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Magic mixed in with handling being dealt a rough deck in life. This book has it all! Heart, magic, imagination, grief, and friendship.
This is a book about a magical circus, which Micah's grandfather found years ago and is owed a miracle. However, it doesn't seem to be happening, so if Micah can find it, that would hopefully cause the debt to be repaid. He has a time limit though, because his grandfather is dying. Can Micah find the Circus Mirandus and save his grandfather?
This story is beautifully told and will hit you in the feels. The only character I found slightly unbelievable was Micah's great-aunt. Would she really have been so cold? And I did have a few questions about the ending, but I'm not interested in typing spoilers here, so I'll have to go search those out somewhere else.
This story is beautifully told and will hit you in the feels. The only character I found slightly unbelievable was Micah's great-aunt. Would she really have been so cold? And I did have a few questions about the ending, but I'm not interested in typing spoilers here, so I'll have to go search those out somewhere else.
It took me a while to get into the story and I hate it when things get drawn out because adults don't talk to kids and tell them the truth. I enjoyed the world Beasley spun together, but there was nothing truly innovative about it and it didn't suck me in as much as other children's fantasy books or other magical circus books. But, I enjoyed reading this book and that's always the most important part. (And, while I hated Aunt Gertrude for most of the book, my heart went out to Gertie and how different things could have been for her.)
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ספר יפה על אובדן וקסם. מזכיר את הספר קרקס החלומות, אבל לילדים
A little slow getting started, but once it picks up, this story of magic, friendship, and family is a keeper. Mika and Ephraim's stories weave together a little like the knots they make, though there are a few loose ends (where are you Victoria?). Perhaps Beasley is leaving an opening for a sequel? Still, Micah, with his powerful love for his dying grandfather, makes a wonderful hero, and his friendship with Jenny Mendoza (the smartest girl in his class) is fun to watch develop. This will be a hit with readers of middle grade fantasies.
too many heroes, blessed with some birthright or unearned gift, act heroically because they’re already the hero. too few become what they are by, no matter the personal cost, doing the right thing. ordinary people being true to themselves, true to the world as they think it should be. that this is what makes them special, not the other way around.
fortunately, the world now has one more. thank you, for reminding me
fortunately, the world now has one more. thank you, for reminding me
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I liked this book. It dealt with the tough issue of losing a loved one and threw in a dose of hope. It has a mix of fantasy that kept you engaged.
A great middle-grade book! It has magic and friendship and difficult adult decisions and hope all smooshed into one. The audio narration was really well done, and I found myself empathizing greatly with almost all of the characters. Very creative! The one con was was that some of the characters were rather two-dimensional. This, in and of itself, was not necessarily a problem for a middle-grade book, but I felt that the great aunt Gertrudis conflict resolved rather abruptly and ... it definitely felt incomplete to me. Other than that, a lovely book that I'll be sure to recommend!
Brief synopsis from Amazon:
Do you believe in magic?
Micah Tuttle does.
Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather.
The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.
Brief synopsis from Amazon:
Do you believe in magic?
Micah Tuttle does.
Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather.
The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.