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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
In the light of "if you believe in fairies then clap your hands" but the prose is not quite so wonderful and the circus is not nearly as magical as "the night circus" I think it's adequate but if you're going the magical route our 9-12 year olds deserve more.
genre: realistic fiction
summary: Micah's grandfather is dying and his whole life has changed. Instead of his happy quiet life with his grandfather Micah is forced to contend with his grandfather's unpleasant, unsympathetic sister. Micah clings to the hope that his grandfather will get better especially when he learns that his grandfather has contacted the "Man who Bends Light" at the Circus Mirandus. belief, magic, innocence, power, friendship, and responsibility.
for kids who like: Roald Dahl, Terry Pratchett, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
age group: 9+
my review: loved it!
summary: Micah's grandfather is dying and his whole life has changed. Instead of his happy quiet life with his grandfather Micah is forced to contend with his grandfather's unpleasant, unsympathetic sister. Micah clings to the hope that his grandfather will get better especially when he learns that his grandfather has contacted the "Man who Bends Light" at the Circus Mirandus. belief, magic, innocence, power, friendship, and responsibility.
for kids who like: Roald Dahl, Terry Pratchett, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
age group: 9+
my review: loved it!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Love. I share your sentiments 100% Gillian. Smiles and tears. A joy of a book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another wonderful Bluebonnet Award nominee! Also a debut novel, so I expect more good things from Beasley.
So, first, the title. “mirandus” is Latin for something which is to be wondered or marvelled at. The circus in this story is nothing like Ringling Bros. It is simply magical. It does not exist in normal time or space. It is only for kids who believe in magic, much like the bell in the Polar Express. To find it you must believe.
We meet Micah Tuttle, grandson to Ephraim Tuttle. Micah’s growing up has been filled with Ephraim’s tales of Circus Mirandus and its wonders. He loves the stories. But now Grandpa Ephraim is dying, his rather nasty Aunt Gertrudis has come to care for him, and makes Micah’s life miserable.
Then there’s the “wish.” The Lightbender, a man who does magical things in the circus, gave Ephraim one wish when he was a boy. Ephraim chose to hold onto it for later. So he sends a message that he wants to use his wish/miracle now. Micah learns about it and begins to work hard to bring the circus to town. Because Micah needs his grandfather to get well and continue to raise him. That's the miracle for him. Micah’s new friend Jenny doesn’t believe, but goes along for the ride, which takes them on amazing adventures, and Micah learns about his family heritage and where he came from. More than anything, CM is a story about faith in the impossible. It’s about loving and letting go, about sacrifice for those you love. It’s about wishes and miracles, hope, and finding where you belong.
The illustrations are exceptional, and I think a lot of kids will vote for this one to win the Bluebonnet Award.
NOTE: This review will appear on my library's book review social media channel in the future.
So, first, the title. “mirandus” is Latin for something which is to be wondered or marvelled at. The circus in this story is nothing like Ringling Bros. It is simply magical. It does not exist in normal time or space. It is only for kids who believe in magic, much like the bell in the Polar Express. To find it you must believe.
We meet Micah Tuttle, grandson to Ephraim Tuttle. Micah’s growing up has been filled with Ephraim’s tales of Circus Mirandus and its wonders. He loves the stories. But now Grandpa Ephraim is dying, his rather nasty Aunt Gertrudis has come to care for him, and makes Micah’s life miserable.
Then there’s the “wish.” The Lightbender, a man who does magical things in the circus, gave Ephraim one wish when he was a boy. Ephraim chose to hold onto it for later. So he sends a message that he wants to use his wish/miracle now. Micah learns about it and begins to work hard to bring the circus to town. Because Micah needs his grandfather to get well and continue to raise him. That's the miracle for him. Micah’s new friend Jenny doesn’t believe, but goes along for the ride, which takes them on amazing adventures, and Micah learns about his family heritage and where he came from. More than anything, CM is a story about faith in the impossible. It’s about loving and letting go, about sacrifice for those you love. It’s about wishes and miracles, hope, and finding where you belong.
The illustrations are exceptional, and I think a lot of kids will vote for this one to win the Bluebonnet Award.
NOTE: This review will appear on my library's book review social media channel in the future.
Super, super impressed. I am rarely at a loss for words, but this was the kind of epic first-time novel that you just hope for. Wonderful and magical! An absolute delight! Beasley had better not let me down with her next book.
I believe in magic. Of the heart, of the mind, and of the world.