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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Just putting this two star review here for when it wins the Newbery Award. Not for me!
this story is as delightful and pure as I could have hoped for. it deals honestly with death, hope, or responsibilities to loved ones, and the rage that grows from broken hope.
delightful, beautiful story that deserves to be read.
delightful, beautiful story that deserves to be read.
Goed boek.
Het gaat over de kleinzoon van een opa. Deze opa ligt op sterven en heeft een wens. Voor deze wens moet zijn kleinzoon naar Circus Mirandus gaan. Dit is de plek waar opa de hele tij over vertelt, maar dan komt de zus van de opa en verandert alles....
Het gaat over de kleinzoon van een opa. Deze opa ligt op sterven en heeft een wens. Voor deze wens moet zijn kleinzoon naar Circus Mirandus gaan. Dit is de plek waar opa de hele tij over vertelt, maar dan komt de zus van de opa en verandert alles....
Enjoyable story about a boy, a dying wish, and a magic circus. The circus itself was the best part of this - highly imaginative and charming, would love to visit there myself! I confess to being disappointed with the ending, however. I was really hoping that Ephraim would used his saved-up miracle for Gertrudis, after disillusionment and child abuse spoiled her life and turned her distrustful and bitter, clearly forever. Alas.
Don't lose the ability to see magic. Yes, this was a little dark, but I devoured it in two sittings. It was a bit dreamy, a bit sad, and a bit hopeful. Very good
For 5th-6th grade
For 5th-6th grade
This was like "Howl's Moving Castle" meets "Big Fish."
I liked it, but it was a TMMP (too many moving parts) kind of book. I think that it needed to be about twice as long and include more backstory and character development. I was left feeling especially dissatisfied with the lack of information about the character of Mirandus Head. So, he's a magical Santa Claus/Guardian of Childhood/God-type character who runs a circus that only special kids can see? Please, tell me more about that! Don't just inform me that he's an immortal who runs a magical circus and then let him fade into the background.
I liked it, but it was a TMMP (too many moving parts) kind of book. I think that it needed to be about twice as long and include more backstory and character development. I was left feeling especially dissatisfied with the lack of information about the character of Mirandus Head. So, he's a magical Santa Claus/Guardian of Childhood/God-type character who runs a circus that only special kids can see? Please, tell me more about that! Don't just inform me that he's an immortal who runs a magical circus and then let him fade into the background.
Spoiler
One aspect of this book that I loved was the ending. I can be quite persnickety about the way in which a complex plot is put to rest, and I'm pleased to say that this one was wholly gratifying. I felt somehow rewarded knowing that Micah would get to join the circus, learn to do magic, be cared for, and live forever. I feel like completely fantastical happy endings are so rare--normally kids end up having to leave their world of happiness and whimsy and return to real life to be responsible and boring. It would have been very easy for Beasley to just phone it in with a couple of lines implying that maybe Micah would see the circus again one day, and I thought it was rad that she didn't do that.
As far as circus stories with supernatural elements go, I didn’t feel the magic much with this one. There’s a nice if cheesy message. The writing is...functional. The premise of both the book and the circus itself is on the vague side.
I also found Victoria to be the only interesting character, and was left unsatisfied with the lack of resolution around her.
Nice illustrations.
I also found Victoria to be the only interesting character, and was left unsatisfied with the lack of resolution around her.
Nice illustrations.
Wow I'm surprised that this book isn't more popular. I definitely recommend this book. It's been awhile since I have read a children's book that I liked. This book is not surface level, it goes into some deep topics. Also would make a good movie.
A preliminary nominee for the 2017-2018 Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award.
Micah's grandfather Ephraim Tuttle is dying. As a young man a circus performer promised Ephraim a miracle, and Micah and his new friend Jenny are determined to get it for him, but will the miracle arrive on time?
I thought this book was magical. I felt like some of the characters bordered on caricatures, but overall I really like it.
Micah's grandfather Ephraim Tuttle is dying. As a young man a circus performer promised Ephraim a miracle, and Micah and his new friend Jenny are determined to get it for him, but will the miracle arrive on time?
I thought this book was magical. I felt like some of the characters bordered on caricatures, but overall I really like it.
I listened to the audio version of this book and I enjoyed it very much. Ten year old Micah's grandfather, who is raising him, has told him stories about the magical Circus Mirandus for all of his life. Now grandfather Ephraim is very ill and great aunt Gertrudus is staying with them, and she does not believe in magic and is not a very nice person at all. Grandfather has sent a letter to the Circus Mirandus, asking the Man Who Bends Light for the miracle that he had offered to him when Ephraim was a 10 year old boy visiting the magical circus. Ephraim had saved his miracle and now he is asking for it, but it may not be possible. Now it is up to Micah to find the circus and help his grandfather to get his miracle. The story is sweet and cute and magical.