Piper Morgan Joins the Circus

Piper Morgan #1

by Stephanie Faris

In this charming new chapter book series, eight-year-old Piper Morgan is adjusting to a new home and all the new places and faces she meets along the way, as she and her mom look for the perfect place to plant their feet.

When Piper Morgan and her mom have to move, Piper is sad to leave her friends behind, but excited for the new adventures coming her way. Her mom is looking for the perfect place for her and Piper to settle down, and dives into a series of odd jobs.

Mom’s first job? An assistant to the head of the Big Top Circus. And Piper is excited to learn she will be a part of The Little Explorers, a group made up of the circus workers’ kids. They may be small in size, but they play a big part in the circus, as they kick-off the big elephant routine in the show.

But during Piper’s debut as a Little Explorer, her high kicks and pointed toes don’t go quite as planned—and after causing a dance disaster, she has to prove to everyone—especially queen of the Little Explorers, Lexie—that she belongs in the spotlight.

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens

112 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 2016

About the author

Stephanie Faris is the author of the middle grade books 30 Days of No Gossip and 25 Roses, as well as the Piper Morgan chapter book series. When she isn’t writing books for children, she writes technology, finance, and business content for a variety of websites. She currently lives in her hometown, just north of Nashville. Visit her online at StephanieFaris.com.

Reviews

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. We read one in the series and now are going back to start from the beginning. I'm pretty sure we've read this one before but it wasn't bad to read again. Piper's mom takes a bunch of temporary jobs. This one is in the circus and Piper LOVES it. She's a part of the Little Explorers and she messes things up a few times but the moral of the story is that everyone makes mistakes and its okay. We all deserve grace and sometimes it even works out for the better!

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute chapter book. I liked Piper Morgan, she was a spunky lil' ball of energy. Loved the little factoids about the circus.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her mom gets a temporary job in the circus, 7-year-old Piper Morgan is excited to become a performer and make friends of all ages and sizes (even an elephant!). There are many great messages in this book: how it’s okay to make mistakes, how others (her circus family) are always there to help each other out, and how sometimes it can be hard to say goodbye to friends, but it can be fun to meet new friends, too. There are interesting Fairground Facts at the end of each chapter. A fun series for ages 6 to 9!

[Kate]

Piper Morgan Joins the Circus was the third book I read front the series. This was my favorite book from them. It was cute and fun. I liked how the author describe everything in it. It was would be a great one to use in a read-aloud in the classroom.

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

yay piper Morgan

This was very cute but fast paced.it was an ok read.would recommend to younger readers.it teachers kids about kindness and compassion and how to deal with moving around a lot.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and fun early chapter book. The circus facts at the end of each chapter were interesting and a great idea to include!

[Barbara Hazan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this but because it was very cute and I like the little explorer

[Cathrina Constantine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly delightful book for young children, and I learned a few things too!! At the end of each chapter, Stephanie Faris gives her readers a few fairground facts.

Piper's mom gets a job with the circus. Piper is both sad and happy. Sad to leave her friends, and happy for a new adventure. Piper thrives in the circus. She loves the animals especially Ella the elephant. You will read about Piper's mishaps, calamities, and how they help her learn and grow. And endearing new circus friends is the cherry on the Big Top.

[Rachele Alpine]

Piper Morgan is a character that readers are going to fall in love with! She's got the spunk and heart that makes you root for her, even when she's messing things up (which she does all too often!). She reminds me a bit of myself when I was young, and I think young readers will relate to her. She's a bit stubborn, but that just makes you like her more. She has the best intentions in mind (to help keep her mom at her job), but things never go quite as planned. I also love the Fun Facts that separate each chapter. Stephanie Faris provides the readers with little tidbits about the circus, which were interesting and engaging. I can't wait to see what adventures Piper gets into next!

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper is travelling with her mother, who has a series of odd jobs coming up. One of these jobs is for the circus. Piper will miss her friends, but she'll make new ones at this setting. There are animals and new people to meet. She joins a group called The Little Explorers, but Piper isn't the most graceful of performers.

Seeing Piper mess up isn't the best of things, but viewing her attempts to get back on track and make things right with others is heart-warming and will make readers cheer for her. The illustrations are cute and there are interesting circus facts at chapter endings.

[Linnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper's mother gets a temp job as an assistant at a Circus. Piper must adjust to a big move and make new friends. After each chapter there is a page or two about circus facts. Part of a series...each looks like it will highlight different jobs.

In Charge - mother works at principals office
To the Rescue -working at a shelter


Good for the Ivy & Bean/Hedi Hecklbeck crowd

[Tali Balas · Rating 2 out of 5]

1st-2nd grade. A perfectly fine addition for those moving beyond early readers. Piper comes off as light and fluffy, especially compared to what seems to be a pretty serious substory about moving because of financial hardship. Seems a bit incongruent but young readers won't care.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy-to-read chapter book with fun premise: Mom gets a temporary job with the circus, and Girl gets to come along for the ride. "Fairground Facts" at the end of each chapter was a nice touch.

[Tyrean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper Morgan joins the circus, becomes a Little Explorer, and learns important lessons in friendship and forgiveness. Stephanie Faris is an excellent writer and her pacing of both fact tidbits about the circus and chapters for younger readers is superb!
Take a bow, Piper Morgan!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faris, Stephanie Piper Morgan Joins the Circus, illustrated by Lucy Fleming. CHAPTER BOOK. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2016. $5.99. Content: G.

Eight-year-old Piper Morgan experiences a few coveted weeks at the circus while her mom works a temp job there. But how can Piper fulfill her dream of becoming a star performer if she keeps messing up the show?

The colorful cover and high-interest topic are likely to attract readers, and many will enjoy Piper's matter-of-fact voice. She does come across as rather self-centered much of the time, however, and it is difficult to truly have a stake in whether or not she finds lasting friendships because her mother's temporary position means they would have to move on soon anyway. Those who are easily embarrassed for characters may find some of Piper's in-ring mess-ups a bit painful. (I know I did.) Others may just find them entertaining and will appreciate perhaps that she eventually learns how to make the show go on despite disasters.

EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
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