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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This book about loyalty, hope, and “magic” stars a kind, noble teen protagonist who is seeing his grandfather through his last days. His deep affection for his grandfather is demonstrated, among other ways, by his total trust in his grandfather, and obedience to him, even when that obedience means showing respect for the bitter, loveless great-aunt who is now keeping him from his beloved grandfather and who is soon to be his guardian. The book touches on understanding people via their backstories, features a platonic boy-girl friendship and explores themes such as fighting hatred and confronting death. The great-aunt character in particular lacks complexity but I appreciate the simple, sweet messages that family is more than blood, and that childlike hope is a sort of “magic” worth keeping. Cautionary points: lying to parents, a co-ed sleepover, cruelty (character’s absent grandmother was a narcissist)
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Precious. So glad I picked this for our first class novel.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Follow the adventure of Micha and friend Jenny as they explore Grandpa Ephraim's childhood stories of a magical circus to fulfill his one wish. Micah has lived with his grandpa since he was little and now that he is near death his controlling Great Aunt Gerturdis is now taking over his life. Will Micah and Jenny be able to get Grandpa Ephraim's which before it's too late?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness
Not a perfect book (it does seem like a first novel in some ways), but there was so much to like in this book. I love that there is nothing bad about the circus at all, just a place that exists to keep magic alive for children. I have read too many creepy circus/magic stories. The end is set up well for sequels.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wonderful! Reminded me of The Night Circus in many ways. Who doesn't love a magical circus! I very much loved the relationship between grandson and grandfather and the strong bond of belief in magic they shared. I found Micah to be a lovely character and was rooting for him the entire time.
My only grumble really was the circus itself. I wish the author went more into detail and depth of the circus itselfZ now it came to be, more of the people actually in the circus and their personal stories. Not too much as to lose the intended audience, just more. I felt we spent more time out of the circus than in.
Other than that, a delightful read for children and one that would be nice to read aloud with a grandparent.
My only grumble really was the circus itself. I wish the author went more into detail and depth of the circus itselfZ now it came to be, more of the people actually in the circus and their personal stories. Not too much as to lose the intended audience, just more. I felt we spent more time out of the circus than in.
Other than that, a delightful read for children and one that would be nice to read aloud with a grandparent.
I could not put this book down. I made myself stop halfway through just to make the magical experience last longer. What a fantastic, loving story about a boy, his grandfather, and a magical circus. I don't want to give anything away, but it's like a combination of the aching feeling in Kate DiCamillo's books and the magic from The Night Circus combined into this. I can't wait to share this with my middle grade readers!