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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This was a truly delightful Middle Grade read! Both Micah and Jenny were adorable and I loved their friendship; two little odd balls in different ways, but the friendship felt natural. I was surprised at how dark this book was, but in a good way. I love it when a book for young readers doesn't try to talk down to them or pretends like nothing bad ever happens in the world. Circus Mirandus is all about finding the magic in this messed up world.
I do wish the actual magical elements were explored more deeply. We saw a lot of the What and glimpsed a little bit of the Why, but I would have liked to see more of the How and how that informs the Why. I'm hopeful that the sequel will delve into that more.
Overall, a quick and entertaining read.
(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
I do wish the actual magical elements were explored more deeply. We saw a lot of the What and glimpsed a little bit of the Why, but I would have liked to see more of the How and how that informs the Why. I'm hopeful that the sequel will delve into that more.
Overall, a quick and entertaining read.
(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
When I started reading this book, I felt a kinship between Circus Mirandus and the Night Circus. Both books - though different - touched me in a similar way. Beautiful writing, beautifully magical.
Love love love. I laughed and cried and squealed. Big Fish meets Night Circus for children. Definitely now one of my favorite books. Really a book for all ages. Cannot wait for more by this author!
Full review [here].
Micah Tuttle is and is not exactly like other fifth grade boys. His knack for knot tying, and his upraising by his Grandfather Ephraim have imbued Micah with a prolonged belief in magic many his age have abandoned. Unfortunately his very practical project partner Jenny Mendoza (also the smartest girl in the school), and his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis don't believe in magic. But the circus has come to town as Micah's dying grandfather calls in the miracle he saved from his own childhood, promised to him by the Lightbender. But the Lightbender doesn't seem like he's going to keep his end of the agreement, so it's up to Micah and Jenny (if he can get her on board) to convince him otherwise.
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I found Micah to be easy to like, even if I didn’t feel like I got to know him super well. The moments where I could tell Beasley was hoping for an emotional reaction on the readers part fell a little flat because what was happening Micah wasn’t carried over into how she had him react. He felt a little shallow at times.
The adults in the story seemed to be afforded similar depth.
The way Beasley splits the narrative over different generations of characters didn’t afford me much time to get to know them in the present. The plot was engaging enough, as well as the tidbits learned from the time jumps, to keep me reading. This felt like it should have been a longer book. Even the execution of the climax fell short for what I wanted.
The magic in the story gets a little explanation, and that’s fine. The element of wonder and believing in magic is shown to be more important than the “how” of it all, but I didn’t feel like I truly fell into it at all like I did with Night Circus, or like I wanted it to be real like I did with Harry Potter. (Still waiting on that Hogwarts letter…)
I would have been happy to have this book as a standalone, but Beasley is returning readers to the circus again this fall. I expect that book to be a bit better than this one, since all the characters will have been introduced and she will hopefully be able to craft a more in-depth story.
Ultimately, this is a book I would recommend for younger readers grades 4 and up, and will perhaps put it forward as a potential Battle of the Books title for next year. It covers two big topics, magic and death, without really diving too deep into either of them. Circus Mirandus is a light book, but it unfortunately lacks real emotional depth.
Micah Tuttle is and is not exactly like other fifth grade boys. His knack for knot tying, and his upraising by his Grandfather Ephraim have imbued Micah with a prolonged belief in magic many his age have abandoned. Unfortunately his very practical project partner Jenny Mendoza (also the smartest girl in the school), and his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis don't believe in magic. But the circus has come to town as Micah's dying grandfather calls in the miracle he saved from his own childhood, promised to him by the Lightbender. But the Lightbender doesn't seem like he's going to keep his end of the agreement, so it's up to Micah and Jenny (if he can get her on board) to convince him otherwise.
-----
I found Micah to be easy to like, even if I didn’t feel like I got to know him super well. The moments where I could tell Beasley was hoping for an emotional reaction on the readers part fell a little flat because what was happening Micah wasn’t carried over into how she had him react. He felt a little shallow at times.
The adults in the story seemed to be afforded similar depth.
The way Beasley splits the narrative over different generations of characters didn’t afford me much time to get to know them in the present. The plot was engaging enough, as well as the tidbits learned from the time jumps, to keep me reading. This felt like it should have been a longer book. Even the execution of the climax fell short for what I wanted.
The magic in the story gets a little explanation, and that’s fine. The element of wonder and believing in magic is shown to be more important than the “how” of it all, but I didn’t feel like I truly fell into it at all like I did with Night Circus, or like I wanted it to be real like I did with Harry Potter. (Still waiting on that Hogwarts letter…)
I would have been happy to have this book as a standalone, but Beasley is returning readers to the circus again this fall. I expect that book to be a bit better than this one, since all the characters will have been introduced and she will hopefully be able to craft a more in-depth story.
Ultimately, this is a book I would recommend for younger readers grades 4 and up, and will perhaps put it forward as a potential Battle of the Books title for next year. It covers two big topics, magic and death, without really diving too deep into either of them. Circus Mirandus is a light book, but it unfortunately lacks real emotional depth.
One of the most wonderful books I've read with my children in a long time. The sort of book you want to stay up all night to finish. Cannot wait for the follow-up!
This story follow Micah a young boy who is left in the care of his grandfather. His grandfather has always told him stories of his trip to Circus Mirandus. Micah's grandfather is very ill and he wants Micah to go to Circus Mirandus so that he can ask one of the performers for the miracle he was promised when he went as a child. The story unfolds from there.
I listened to this on audiobook and thought the narrator did an excellent job. The voices were distinct and I was able to follow who was talking without having to pay super close attention.
Overall, I really did enjoy this story. I'm kind of obsessed with stories set in or about a circus and this one did not disappoint. While I initially expected an absolute happy story, this book dealt with issues of death, letting go, and always believing. It was presented in a way that young readers could definitely understand, and as an adult reader I did not feel bored as I was listening to the story.
I listened to this on audiobook and thought the narrator did an excellent job. The voices were distinct and I was able to follow who was talking without having to pay super close attention.
Overall, I really did enjoy this story. I'm kind of obsessed with stories set in or about a circus and this one did not disappoint. While I initially expected an absolute happy story, this book dealt with issues of death, letting go, and always believing. It was presented in a way that young readers could definitely understand, and as an adult reader I did not feel bored as I was listening to the story.
Used in my class (grades 2-4). Some lovely passages, but the story itself felt front-loaded in development. At the end, a lot of action happens v. quickly, and it left a bit of a discordant feeling pacing-wise. I wish the circus was more fleshed out; there was a lot of telling, not showing.
I needed a little whimsy to combat quarantine and the serious journey of Wild. This hit the spot. I love Micah and Ephraim's interest in knots and knotting (something I should practice again) and the circus was interesting - I think I'd like to know more about the Circus. Thoroughly disappointed in Victoria and everything about her. Can we get some complex villainry in kid's books? .