Ahhh… who doesn’t love a little magic to kick off what promises to be an excellent summer reading season? Circus Mirandus, Cassie Beasley’s debut novel is the most magical book I’ve read in a long time. This book has all the right stuff.
First: protagonist Micah Tuttle has no parents, which instantly establishes undeserved misfortune. Second: what he does have is a close and loving relationship with his grandfather, Ephraim Tuttle, a man we care deeply about. Third: Ephraim has filled Micah’s life with magical stories of a long lost (possibly made up and nonexistent) circus from Ephraim’s youth. Fourth (and most importantly): There is the promise of a miracle.
The story begins with Micah and Ephraim needing a miracle in the most profound way. Ephraim is ill, possibly dying and Aunt Gertrudis (Ephraim’s younger sister who lives in Arizona) will not be a suitable substitute as parent/guardian.
Fortunately, Ephraim has the promise of a miracle from The Lightbender — a powerful magician from Circus Mirandus. All Micah has to do is track down the elusive circus and convince The Lightbender to pay a visit to his grandfather.
I won’t ruin the story by giving any more details, suffice to say the journey (read) is extra sweet with this one.
by Cassie Beasley
Dial Books
304 pages
pub date: June 2, 2015
