Micah's grandpa is sick. In fact, he might not have much time left. Micah is devastated, until he finds out that the Circus Mirandus, from the magical stories his grandpa has been telling him his whole life, is real. Long ago, the Lightbender promised Grandpa Ephraim a miracle, and now it's time to collect. But first Micah and his friend Jenny have to find the elusive circus, and then, Micah has to make Jenny believe. He also has to convince the Lightbender to make good on his years-old promise, which won't be easy.
I really could gush about this book for quite some time. Even though I knew long before Micah what Grandpa's miracle had to be, I don't know that kids will figure it out, and even if they do, I don't think they'll care. There are shades of Big Fish, The Princess Bride, and even Harry Potter. There's an inexplicable shivery goodness here that comes with magical realism done right. This is Ms. Beasley's first novel, and I'm putting her on my watch list. I know I would have absolutely inhaled this as a kid, and I think my students will, too. An absolute joy to read.
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