Could This Kid's Book Be An Award Winner?

By FREYA HOOPER (Star Patcher)

I’ve got one this week which has rumblings of the Newbery award around it. Whether that turns out to be the case or not, Circus Mirandus is a wonderful book with a dreamlike, magical quality to it. It has been so well received that the movie rights have already been purchased. So make sure you read it soon, because as you know, the book is always better than the movie!

Don’t forget to visit my website at www.onegreatbook.com for more inspired book choices for kids Preschool - Eighth Grade.

Title: Circus Mirandus

Author: Cassie Beasley

Target: Grade 4-7

Series: No

What this book is about:
Micah’s grandfather Ephram is dying and he is the sole caregiver for Micah. His great aunt Gertrudis, who every bit as bad as her name implies, comes to care for Micah and his grandfather. She makes life miserable for everyone around her, a perfectly perfect villain. But when Micah learns that his grandfather has a wish that was granted to him during a trip to a magical circus and that he now wants to use it, Micah is hopeful that maybe, just maybe his grandfather can be cured. The stories and magic that Micah believed in all these years surely must be real enough to help!

Why I love this book:
I went into this read a little worried that it would be too sad for me. I love a good chuckle to accompany my stories and a dying grandfather just didn’t feel like a barrel of laughs.

However, while this story does have some heartbreaking moments, it was absolutely wonderful for me. It weaves a family history of magic and intrigue into a story of a boy who is looking to save the most wonderful person in his life by summoning the magic that has ignited the imagination of children who are willing to believe.

The characters and their motivations are beautifully complex and drive the story to unexpected places. I think kids will be surprised and fascinated at the outcomes and they will want to believe because believing takes you to much more interesting places.

Who this book is for:
Great for kids who enjoyed books by Road Dahl, because in his books there exist both disappointment and hope.

Final thoughts:
I was never particularly fond of the circus, but Circus Mirandus made me a believer.

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I am a mom of three with a passion for literature! No matter what book series our kids devour, as they come to an end, we as parents ask the inevitable question - what is next? I am ever on the job, trying to answer that question. I try to do it with a variety of books. Some are silly, some true to life, some pure fantasy, but in the end I hope they make my children love words, explore new ideas, and laugh!