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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Loved it. A celebration of the childlike belief in magic without being trite or simple.
This book was meant for the younger audience... It was so much fun and magical! I enjoyed the read!
After years of hearing stories about his grandfather’s visit to the enchanted Circus Mirandus, Micah learns the tales are true and that one of the circus performers had promised his grandfather a miracle. So with his sensible friend Jenny in tow, Micah sets off in search of Circus Mirandus, determined to collect on the miracle in order to save his grandfather.
“Just because a magic is small doesn’t mean it is unimportant,” the Lightbender said. “Even the smallest magics can grow.” (p. 120) And just because this book is “middle grade” doesn’t mean it is any less important. It needs to be given a chance to grow in a reader’s heart and explode out into the world. Its message is beautiful and poignant, its story is touching and stretches far beyond its middle grade audience.
Part of my annual reading goal this year was to read more middle grade books. This was a perfect book to add to the menagerie. One of my biggest criteria in reading for this age range was that I didn’t want to feel like the author was talking down to his or her audience. In Circus Mirandus, I felt like the language was simple enough for the age while not being depreciating. The images of the circus that were painted, well, they were simply magical. Several times I thought to myself, “This is as enchanting as Night Circus!” as vivid pictures dances through my imagination. Note: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a book for older teens and adults.
The characterizations were dramatic as well. With all my might, I wanted to reach into the pages and strangle Aunt Gertrudis for being such a strict fuddy-duddy! I heavily sighed at Jenny’s never-ending sensibilities. I ached with each cough that pushed through Grandpa Ephraim’s body. And Micah? He was the perfect blend of grounded realism while also allowing his imagination and firm beliefs to take him to new places.
This was an all-around magical book. Despite its heavy premise (it is not a spoiler to say that grandpa is dying), it had a lightness and magic that will please those of many ages. I can see this as being an excellent read-aloud selection for parents with children mature enough to handle grandpa’s illness.
“Just because a magic is small doesn’t mean it is unimportant,” the Lightbender said. “Even the smallest magics can grow.” (p. 120) And just because this book is “middle grade” doesn’t mean it is any less important. It needs to be given a chance to grow in a reader’s heart and explode out into the world. Its message is beautiful and poignant, its story is touching and stretches far beyond its middle grade audience.
Part of my annual reading goal this year was to read more middle grade books. This was a perfect book to add to the menagerie. One of my biggest criteria in reading for this age range was that I didn’t want to feel like the author was talking down to his or her audience. In Circus Mirandus, I felt like the language was simple enough for the age while not being depreciating. The images of the circus that were painted, well, they were simply magical. Several times I thought to myself, “This is as enchanting as Night Circus!” as vivid pictures dances through my imagination. Note: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a book for older teens and adults.
The characterizations were dramatic as well. With all my might, I wanted to reach into the pages and strangle Aunt Gertrudis for being such a strict fuddy-duddy! I heavily sighed at Jenny’s never-ending sensibilities. I ached with each cough that pushed through Grandpa Ephraim’s body. And Micah? He was the perfect blend of grounded realism while also allowing his imagination and firm beliefs to take him to new places.
This was an all-around magical book. Despite its heavy premise (it is not a spoiler to say that grandpa is dying), it had a lightness and magic that will please those of many ages. I can see this as being an excellent read-aloud selection for parents with children mature enough to handle grandpa’s illness.
For me this book wasn’t ‘amazing’ it was ok. A boy’s grandfather went to the Circus Mirandus as a boy. This circus was not like anything else in this world, he’s told Micah all his stories. When his grandpa becomes sick Micah’s great aunt Gertrudis comes. Of course she is Dalh-esk levels of terrible and oblivious to Micah’s emotional needs. She of course thinks the Circus is just stories her brother made up. Micah is determined to prove her wrong and get his grandfather the miracle he was promised on his first trip to the circus. Can Micah find the Circus and get the miracle to save his grandfather? Or will a dark secret that ties Micah and his grandfather to the circus destroy them? With a somewhat unsatisfactory ending that leaves everything open for a second book this is a story that just really wasn’t for me. This is a kids version of Night Circus, and perhaps if I had read this one first then I might have enjoyed it more. Or perhaps I would have liked it more if there was a little tidier ending… haha for boys and girls sixth grade on up looking for a real-ish fantasy story with a little bit of a dark and sad edge to it. I would read a second book if that was the end of it, but I don't know if I could do a series
This was cute. It tackles are really scary topic for kids (death) in a very real way, with some sprucing up with magic to make it not TOO real.
All the yesses! Such sweetness in a book. With such imagery, I felt I was in Circus Mirandus. Especially that second scene with Victoria Starling. Ugh, I'm teetering on giving it 5 stars.
Edit: It reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
Edit: It reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you ignore the circus aspect of this tale and just focus on the characters this a great book. Grandpa Ephraim is an endearing man, and it makes me heart ache with missing my own grandpa, and in somewhere this tale helped me remember him.
*who's cutting onions*
I have a soft spot for orphans who create their own families and Micha and his grandpa were quite the pair and I loved them, Aunt Gertrudis annoyed me to no end, but I gather that was the intent with her character.
outside of the rich and inviting characters the plot and the settings did pale in comparison, and I think more attention should have been paid to them, but I think in a second book those problems can easily be fixed.
This was a delightful read and I enjoyed that slightly bumpy ride.
*who's cutting onions*
I have a soft spot for orphans who create their own families and Micha and his grandpa were quite the pair and I loved them, Aunt Gertrudis annoyed me to no end, but I gather that was the intent with her character.
outside of the rich and inviting characters the plot and the settings did pale in comparison, and I think more attention should have been paid to them, but I think in a second book those problems can easily be fixed.
This was a delightful read and I enjoyed that slightly bumpy ride.
This book was beautifully written over a very somber mood and storyline. I really despised Grandfather’s sister and Micah’s aunt throughout the entire story. I thought at the the end she would redeem herself and become a great guardian for Micah, but I was completely wrong. I saw the ending coming with Micah ending up with the circus, but it was still nice to see it come about. I still have to wonder about Micah’s grandmother and if she is still alive. Did she actually care about her husband? Did she ever really fly or was it just a magic trick? Such a nice quick read for anyone who wants to believe in magic.