*This was another middle-grade title that I obtained during the #alavirutal2020 event. Penguin Random House has a list of books readers could download from their virtual exhibit. I knew nothing of the title or author so was excited going into the reading experience.
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1. *Andrea and her parents haven't been the same for the last three years.What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
2. *That was when her younger brother, Francis, disappeared and was never heard from again.
3. *When Andrea finds out her parents are ready to get rid of Francis' things, she freaks out, and flees from their home.
4. *While she is on her own thinking, Andrea stumbles across a "circus" called Reverie.
5. *It is here she meets several other children, a mysterious leader called "The Sandman", and learns her brother may actually be inside the circus.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1. *As I've stated before in other posts, magical realism, isn't my favorite genre, but I certainly did enjoy the story.
2. *Andrea was a thoughtful, sensitive, and realistic character I enjoyed getting to know through the pages of the story.
3. *The author did a tremendous job of slowly revealing what happened the night Francis disappeared.
4. *I found the world under the circus tents to be full of imagination, suspense, and mystery.
5. *On the surface, the reader may not recognized the depth of important themes and life-lessons, but there is a lot to think about and discuss.
Who Should Read It:
*The novel is just over 300 pages, the story line is a bit complex, and the pacing can be a bit slow and detailed during certain sections. For these reasons, I would recommend the book for readers in grades five and six along with the middle-school reader. The novel will be released in September of 2020. Happy Reading!
Rating: 4 STARS out of 5 Stars
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