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joyfulme 's review for:
Circus Mirandus
by Cassie Beasley
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)