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A review by cornmaven
Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley
4.0
Another wonderful Bluebonnet Award nominee! Also a debut novel, so I expect more good things from Beasley.
So, first, the title. “mirandus” is Latin for something which is to be wondered or marvelled at. The circus in this story is nothing like Ringling Bros. It is simply magical. It does not exist in normal time or space. It is only for kids who believe in magic, much like the bell in the Polar Express. To find it you must believe.
We meet Micah Tuttle, grandson to Ephraim Tuttle. Micah’s growing up has been filled with Ephraim’s tales of Circus Mirandus and its wonders. He loves the stories. But now Grandpa Ephraim is dying, his rather nasty Aunt Gertrudis has come to care for him, and makes Micah’s life miserable.
Then there’s the “wish.” The Lightbender, a man who does magical things in the circus, gave Ephraim one wish when he was a boy. Ephraim chose to hold onto it for later. So he sends a message that he wants to use his wish/miracle now. Micah learns about it and begins to work hard to bring the circus to town. Because Micah needs his grandfather to get well and continue to raise him. That's the miracle for him. Micah’s new friend Jenny doesn’t believe, but goes along for the ride, which takes them on amazing adventures, and Micah learns about his family heritage and where he came from. More than anything, CM is a story about faith in the impossible. It’s about loving and letting go, about sacrifice for those you love. It’s about wishes and miracles, hope, and finding where you belong.
The illustrations are exceptional, and I think a lot of kids will vote for this one to win the Bluebonnet Award.
NOTE: This review will appear on my library's book review social media channel in the future.
So, first, the title. “mirandus” is Latin for something which is to be wondered or marvelled at. The circus in this story is nothing like Ringling Bros. It is simply magical. It does not exist in normal time or space. It is only for kids who believe in magic, much like the bell in the Polar Express. To find it you must believe.
We meet Micah Tuttle, grandson to Ephraim Tuttle. Micah’s growing up has been filled with Ephraim’s tales of Circus Mirandus and its wonders. He loves the stories. But now Grandpa Ephraim is dying, his rather nasty Aunt Gertrudis has come to care for him, and makes Micah’s life miserable.
Then there’s the “wish.” The Lightbender, a man who does magical things in the circus, gave Ephraim one wish when he was a boy. Ephraim chose to hold onto it for later. So he sends a message that he wants to use his wish/miracle now. Micah learns about it and begins to work hard to bring the circus to town. Because Micah needs his grandfather to get well and continue to raise him. That's the miracle for him. Micah’s new friend Jenny doesn’t believe, but goes along for the ride, which takes them on amazing adventures, and Micah learns about his family heritage and where he came from. More than anything, CM is a story about faith in the impossible. It’s about loving and letting go, about sacrifice for those you love. It’s about wishes and miracles, hope, and finding where you belong.
The illustrations are exceptional, and I think a lot of kids will vote for this one to win the Bluebonnet Award.
NOTE: This review will appear on my library's book review social media channel in the future.