Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley is a book for kids of all ages who want to believe that magic is real.

Ten-year-old Micah Tuttle believes in magic. He’s grown up hearing his Grandpa Ephraim’s stories about the magical Circus Mirandus with its flying birdwoman and master illusionist, the Man Who Bends Light.

But now Grandpa Ephraim is dying, and Micah’s Great-Aunt Gertrudis, who does not believe in magic, has come to take charge of the household.

Micah’s only hope is to find the Circus Mirandus and convince the Man Who Bends Light to give his grandfather the miracle he once promised him. And with the help of his new friend Jenny, he’s determined to do just that.

This book will have you listening for the special music that means the Circus Mirandus is in town.

Micah has had a happy life, growing up with his grandfather Ephraim's stories of the magical Circus Mirandus. It is not until his grandfather becomes ill that Micah learns that all those stories were true. A promised miracle from the Circus's most magical performer is now Ephraim and Micah's only hope. 

Ephraim's past visit to the Circus and what happened to him after is slowly played out alongside his grandson's current story, and it's more complicated than it seems at first. This is a magical story, at times bittersweet, that reminds you to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary. Even something as simple as a knot in an old bootlace. I look forward to finding out what happens to Micah ne

Micah’s grandfather, who cares for him, is dying, so his Great Aunt Gertrudis comes to stay. She’s mean and uncompassionate and doesn’t believe the stories that Michael’s grandfather tells about the magical Circus Mirandus.

Micah believes every word. Along with his friend, Jenny, he sets out to help his grandfather collect on the “miracle” the Lightbender man from the circus promised his grandfather when he was only a boy. Micah, of course, wants the Lightbender to save his grandfather, but even a magical circus worker has his limits. As the reader, you really don’t want the magical circus worker to have his limits. Micah and his grandfather are so endearing and wonderful, you want only good, magical things to happen to them. But that’s not the way life works, and Beasley captures this beautifully: realistically AND magically. 

Circus Mirandus is a wonderful read, full of heartbreaking and heart-lifting moments. I came away from it feeling both more wide-eyed and wise. 

The sequel, The Bootlace Magician, is out now. It is, of course, on the top of my TBR pile.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley is the first of a series (book 2 was just released earlier this month, October).
Do you believe in magic? Micah, thanks to the stories the grandfather whose raised him has told him, definitely does. When Micah’s grandfather descends into poor health his unsympathetic great aunt arrives to care for the both of them while showing how much she does not want to be there. 
Grandpa Ephraim has one last shot at a miracle, when he was a boy Circus Mirandus called to him and he was promised a miracle from the Lightbender. He’s ready to call upon the Lightbender for his miracle and Micah is going to help him, and get the adventure of the lifetime in the meanwhile.
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This is a beautiful middle grade book told in alternating chapters for a bit from both Micah and Grandpa Ephraim, when he was younger and his interactions with the circus. It’s a story about family and friendship, love and loyalty,  belief and magic. Micah may think he knows what his grandpa is asking for but he’s going to learn a lot more important things before the story is done. 
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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a cute story that I would love to share with my 9 year old. I’m not usually into magic, but the story had just enough to keep me going. I feel in love with Micah and Grandpa and can’t wait to see where Micah’s adventures take him next! Thank you to Penguin Publishing and Netgally for the opportunity to read and review this book!

What an amazing story of magic. It carries you away, and makes your soul hope there is something better beyond our realm of reality. Each reader takes away a different perspective on the book, per their emotional level. Much to my joy, the author has written a second book relating to this, so my reading time has been extended to the magical circus!

Circus Mirandus is the first book in the Circus Mirandus series by Cassie Beasley. Originally published in 2016, this re-format and re-release coincides with the release of the second book in the series, The Bootlace Magician (1st Oct). Aimed at middle grade readers, it's a hefty 304 pages and is available in most formats.

Although this book is ostensibly written for the middle grades, it's a beautifully written human fantasy which worked perfectly well for my middle aged tastes. I really loved this one a lot. The everyman protagonist, Micah, is an intelligent, empathetic, kind boy, and a good friend. He has a very special relationship with his grandfather, with whom he lives. When Grandpa Ephraim becomes seriously ill, Aunt Gertrudis, descends on them to 'help out'. She isn't a bit like Grandpa Ephraim and doesn't seem to like much, including 10 year old boys named Micah.

This book is full of fantasy, whimsy, pathos, love, and longing. Along with the slightly angsty kids vs. adults plot twists are huge overarching timeless themes of what constitutes family, loyalty, love, and how people become who/what they are.

It's written in alternating backstory (Grandpa Ephraim's past history) and current (Micah's current life) timelines. They're clearly delineated and I had no problems keeping the timelines separate in my mind. The secondary characters are beautifully rendered and believably motivated. The dialogue flows naturally and well. I didn't find myself being yanked out of my suspension of disbelief one time during reading, which is saying something with a plot that turns around magical fish, a phoenix, and a never-ending invisible magical circus.

I read this in one sitting and turned around and re-read selected chapters again immediately after.

This would make a truly superlative bedtime read or classroom circle read. An amazing book; an author to watch for in future.

Five stars.

If you believe in magic [and, thanks to Grandpa Ephraim, Micah Tuttle does], perhaps you will find yourself entering Circus Mirandus [as Micah’s grandfather once did]. When Ephraim was Micah’s age, he found Circus Mirandus and the Lightbender made him a promise. 

Circus Mirandus may seek children who believe in magic, but Micah has a special reason for his mission to find the magical circus. Grandpa Ephraim is dying and Micah needs the Man Who Bends Light to honor his promise.

He’s going to ask the Lightbender to give his grandfather a miracle.  

Written for middle grade readers, Micah is a typical middle grade student. Turmoil and angst fills Micah’s life. There’s schoolwork, the surprise [and difficulty] of making a new friend, the strain of having an unsympathetic aunt living in his home to care for his grandfather, and the very real possibility that his beloved grandfather may die. 

The characters are believable, the enchanting plot has several unexpected twists, and the story draws the reader into the telling of the tale. It’s entertaining and, at the same time, heart-rending and miraculous. It’s also filled with magic and hope and love. For readers of all ages, it’s a gorgeous, not-to-be-missed story.

Highly recommended. 

I received a free copy of this eBook from Penguin Young Readers/Puffin Books and NetGalley 
#CircusMirandus #NetGalley