“You promised me a miracle…and I have believed through all these years that if I had need of you, you would come.
…I need you now.”
All his life, Micah Tuttle has heard stories of the wondrous Circus Mirandus, to which his grandfather, Ephraim, gained entry as a child, with a fish caught in his boot acting as a ticket. The circus is a sort of dream world, home to various magical acts and shows, like the Amazing Amazonian Bird Woman, who flies like her exotic birds, and The Man Who Bends Light, a master of illusion who can bring his audiences to shores of an Antarctic iceberg or to the depths of the Amazonian jungle.
But now Grandpa Ephraim’s health is declining, and Micah’s crotchety great aunt Gertrudis is now running the house. When Micah finds out that his grandpa Ephraim has written to request fulfillment of a miracle promised to him by the Lightbender years ago, Micah is sure that the miracle will save his grandfather. With the help of an unexpected new friend, the academically-minded Jenny Mendoza ( “Lightbender…I guess that’s a stage name?” ), Micah sets out to find Circus Mirandis, track down the Lightbender, and save his grandfather with a miracle.
This story was as magical as the circus for which it is named. Micah is trapped in an impossible situation. Aunt Gertrudis is caring for the grandfather he loves, but in the process she suffocates them both, forbidding all talk of magic and often barring Micah from even seeing his grandfather. But just as the desperation of Micah’s situation is palpable, so is the wonder and magic of Circus Mirandus. Micah, in spite of everything, does not doubt or falter. He follows in in the footsteps of Grandpa Ephraim, always pushing ahead, always believing.
Debut author Cassie Beasley alternates chapters about Micah’s and his quest with those about young Ephraim. The characters are well-drawn, the magic world enchanting, and the writing lovely. Also, those illustrations by are a nice addition, contributing to the feel of this novel. It's a celebration of that childlike ability to believe and hope. This is the one to beat. I’m already routing for it to win the Newbery.
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