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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I loved Circus Mirandus and Cassie Beasley could not be a nicer person. Micah finds himself under the care of his awful Aunt Gertrudis when his grandfather falls ill and he must find the famed Circus Mirandus his grandfather has been telling him about his whole life. But Circus Mirandus doesn't just appear for anyone, you must believe in magic.
A delightful listen to the audio book read by Bronson Pinchot (oh, hello cousin Balky!). Even though I knew early on what the miracle would be, it was still a nice journey getting there. Made me realize that it might be less obvious to younger readers who wouldn’t assume or understand that [SPOILER ALERT] their parents and grandparents would also wish for the protection of their child/grandchild even at the expense of their own life.
Nothing about the premise told me this was a book for me- magical circus for kids who believe? Not sold. It really did grow on me as it went along though, and while I feel Jenny got the short end of the stick in this story it developed nicely and concluded exactly as it should have.
Yay, this is my kind of story. Okay, so it's probably not the best piece of writing I've ever read. But I love this type of story with a neat kid at the center of it with a best friend who is not at all like him and who has great imagination and the magic of being a kid. I wanted so much for Circus Mirandus and all it stands for to be real. :) I definitely identified with Jenny and I love that she eventually opened her mind because of her love for Micah--a true friend indeed. I definitely did not like Micah's aunt, but I felt sorry for her, especially at the end when she had the chance to take a different course. It made me hurt for her and people like her who are so unbending, they cut themselves off from the good things life has to offer.
This is a very quick read and I'm so excited that I just got my notice from the library that the second book is in, waiting for me, so I can find out the next chapter in Micah's life!
If you like fantasy with humor, whimsy and a little bit of real-life drama ("evil" great aunt) then you should definitely check this one out.
Special thanks to #CassieBeasley, #NetGalley, and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very quick read and I'm so excited that I just got my notice from the library that the second book is in, waiting for me, so I can find out the next chapter in Micah's life!
If you like fantasy with humor, whimsy and a little bit of real-life drama ("evil" great aunt) then you should definitely check this one out.
Special thanks to #CassieBeasley, #NetGalley, and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Warning: Circus Mirandus can only be read in one sitting. One of the best books I've read in a long time for either adults or kids; Circus Mirandus is for the kid in us all. Don't we all want magic to exist? With beautifully poignant phrases and a plot evocative of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this one is set to be a timeless classic. The characters themselves are magical, particularly "The Lightbender." I especially loved the friendship between Micah and Jenny and the powerful love that Ephraim had for Micah.
One can easily argue the virtues of holding a book in your hand vs. a digital version when you see the book jacket. Gorgeous, clever and not sparing of detail...just like the contents within. "You have to believe it to see it."
A screenplay has been purchased. I can smell the popcorn already.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I cannot wait for my students to meet this talented young writer in November when we Skype with her, and I eagerly anticipate her next book. I would read her grocery list in the interim.
"Just because a magic is small doesn't mean it is unimportant," the Lightbender said.
"Sometimes, we need to let go so that other people can have their chance at the magic."
"I'm not special," said Micah.
"Don't you want to be?"
Micah thought about it for a minute. "Doesn't everybody?"
"Children usually ask for things that aren't miracles at all. They want special shows, souvenirs. Extra tickets. Their own pet giraffes. Such little things."
"That seems wasteful."
The Lightbender shook his head."You say that because you have lived the sort of life in which you could have used real miracles. I am sorry for that. Ephraim was the same."
"Remember what I told you about magic. You have more than a bit of it in yourself. Be careful not to let it slip away from you, and you'll always be able to hear the music. Whatever you choose to do with yourself, you are a brave, clever young man, and I know you will go far in life."
"You never need an invitation to go home."
One can easily argue the virtues of holding a book in your hand vs. a digital version when you see the book jacket. Gorgeous, clever and not sparing of detail...just like the contents within. "You have to believe it to see it."
A screenplay has been purchased. I can smell the popcorn already.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I cannot wait for my students to meet this talented young writer in November when we Skype with her, and I eagerly anticipate her next book. I would read her grocery list in the interim.
"Just because a magic is small doesn't mean it is unimportant," the Lightbender said.
"Sometimes, we need to let go so that other people can have their chance at the magic."
"I'm not special," said Micah.
"Don't you want to be?"
Micah thought about it for a minute. "Doesn't everybody?"
"Children usually ask for things that aren't miracles at all. They want special shows, souvenirs. Extra tickets. Their own pet giraffes. Such little things."
"That seems wasteful."
The Lightbender shook his head."You say that because you have lived the sort of life in which you could have used real miracles. I am sorry for that. Ephraim was the same."
"Remember what I told you about magic. You have more than a bit of it in yourself. Be careful not to let it slip away from you, and you'll always be able to hear the music. Whatever you choose to do with yourself, you are a brave, clever young man, and I know you will go far in life."
"You never need an invitation to go home."
This novel sucked me in and held me the entire book. I loved the magical and circus elements since children dream of running away and joining the circus. I also love that it didn't shy away from hard realities that a lot of children face like the death of a loved one and an uncaring guardian. I totally forgot I was reading a children's book. The best part was that my 10yo son heard my description of the book, picked it up, and finished it before I did! We are anxiously awaiting the sequel arriving at our local public library. I can't wait to see where the story goes!
Middle Grade. I have looked and looked to see if any other readers have compared this title to The Chronicles of Narnia (Lewis) series before posting my review. Not a single mention which really surprises me. While fantasy, chapter after chapter is full of biblical symbolism. The last line absolutely solidified it for me "It's never too late to return home."
Magic can be deemed so negative but as a parent we encourage it in my household. Building up leprechauns traps, celebrating tooth fairies & tooth pirates to capture the unseen. Long before becoming a parent I read that raising children to follow the Lord can start with a strong understanding of the unseen. Fantasy is the perfect place to do that.
Magic can be deemed so negative but as a parent we encourage it in my household. Building up leprechauns traps, celebrating tooth fairies & tooth pirates to capture the unseen. Long before becoming a parent I read that raising children to follow the Lord can start with a strong understanding of the unseen. Fantasy is the perfect place to do that.
This story has your imagination going from the first chapters, especially when Grandpa Ephraim tells Micah the stories are true. Micah challenges himself to find Circus Mirandus for his sick grandpas miracle. It is a great novel showing love, imagination, and magic.
While I'm not really the target-audience for this kind of book (and I don't even really like YA), I enjoyed the heck out of CIRCUS MIRANDUS. Beasley's phrasing is excellent, and the book was filled with lines that made me want to break out a highlighter and take note.
What I liked most about the book, I think, is its willingness to go in some strange places. In particular, Beasley doesn't pull back from some of the sadder moments of the story, or from some of the emotionally complicated moments either (e.g., the situation with a character named Victoria). That CIRCUS MIRANDUS was willing to go in those directions was refreshing and exciting without being "too adult" for younger readers.
I'd be remiss, however, if I didn't mention how fun much of the book is. When two characters go to the movies, when Ms. Chintzey gets sassy, when a character rides a balloon -- it's all a lot of fun. I do wish it was a bit longer, as I would have enjoyed spending more time with Micah Tuttle.
What I liked most about the book, I think, is its willingness to go in some strange places. In particular, Beasley doesn't pull back from some of the sadder moments of the story, or from some of the emotionally complicated moments either (e.g., the situation with a character named Victoria). That CIRCUS MIRANDUS was willing to go in those directions was refreshing and exciting without being "too adult" for younger readers.
I'd be remiss, however, if I didn't mention how fun much of the book is. When two characters go to the movies, when Ms. Chintzey gets sassy, when a character rides a balloon -- it's all a lot of fun. I do wish it was a bit longer, as I would have enjoyed spending more time with Micah Tuttle.