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Flor and Miranda Steal the Show
Enjoy carnival rides and deep fried pickles in this warm, funny middle grade novel about family and friendship.
Miranda is the lead singer in her family's musical band, Miranda y Los Reyes. Her family has worked hard performing at festivals and quinceañeras. Now, they have a shot at the main stage. How will Miranda make it a performance to remember?
Flor's family runs the petting zoo at Mr. Barsetti's carnival. When she accidentally overhears Mr. Barsetti and Miranda's dad talk about cutting the zoo to accommodate Miranda y Los Reyes's main stage salary, she knows she has to take action. Will she have the heart for sabotage once she and Miranda actually start to become friends?
Miranda is the lead singer in her family's musical band, Miranda y Los Reyes. Her family has worked hard performing at festivals and quinceañeras. Now, they have a shot at the main stage. How will Miranda make it a performance to remember?
Flor's family runs the petting zoo at Mr. Barsetti's carnival. When she accidentally overhears Mr. Barsetti and Miranda's dad talk about cutting the zoo to accommodate Miranda y Los Reyes's main stage salary, she knows she has to take action. Will she have the heart for sabotage once she and Miranda actually start to become friends?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 12, 2018
15 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 10, 2018
*I am reviewing an ARC provided by the publisher which does not affect my opinion.*
This book was everything I expected it to be and a little bit more. I absolutely adore carnivals, and although I haven’t been to one in a while, reading this book made me want to go to one this summer! Just like a carnival, this book was fun, light, and easy. It was full of great people and greasy food! Plus I have never related to the family so hard!
What I Liked:
Characters:
They were all so saucy!!! I loved it!! Flor is a character I was immediately drawn to. Her spunk and passion for her family’s petting zoo is adorable and admirable. She is willing to do everything she can if it means saving her family’s business and staying in the one place that truly feels like home. Then there is Miranda who at first I was a little meh towards but as the story gets deeper, I begin to understand her a lot more. Especially with her desire to have everyone like her or at least not think she is a bad person. I understand it. Miranda is also very passionate though a little too hesitant to take hold of her own choices. I’m not saying she is a push over, but she has been quite pushed over. This story explores her venture into taking even just a bit of control of her own decisions and the length she is willing to go to make them. In the end, I related to her a lot especially with her struggle to get the right Spanish accent! XD
Both girls are intelligent and funny. They have their flaws, fears and triumphs and I really enjoyed reading both of their perspectives.
The Plot:
The story is quite easy to follow and very entertaining. The whole books spans a matter of hours and many things happen in between. I liked Flor’s story and her plan to take down Miranda by pretending to befriend and trick her into missing her show. It was a devilish act and nothing goes according to plan, but she doesn’t give up. Miranda’s story was also fun. As she falls for Flor’s tricks, she is making her own plans to be free of her father’s planning and learning the ways of the carnival. Both stories interlace quite nicely, but I do feel there was just a bit more emphasis on Flor’s arc.
The Atmosphere:
I loved the carnival setting. I have to hand it to Torres, she knew exactly how to invoke all the feelings of the carnival. From the stands of delicious food, to the games to the rides and let’s not forget the sweltering heat! I have been to quite a few carnivals in my time and the fictional one in this book had all the essentials! It was so much fun exploring the grounds with Flor and Miranda, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was there at the fair with them!
The Family/Cultural Values:
If there is one thing you can get out of this book, it is how important family is. Both girls come from Latinx families and while they have their differences, they are quite similar. Both girls’ families struggle with money, a very important motif in the story. It is the centre of everyone’s worry and yet it is what brought both girls together (sort of). Money may not be the most important thing in the world, but it definitely is hard to live without.
I also liked that it showed the general structure of a Latinx family. Both had the head patriarch followed by the mom and then the kids. The patriarch was the one in charge of making sure the family had enough money to live and they are the ones who make all the big decisions (Which isn’t always the best thing.) Obviously, neither family is perfect and this book does a wonderful job of exploring that despite their imperfections, family is always #1.
Relate. Relate. Relate.:
On top of this book having a great portrayal of Latinx family structure, the way they act and behave was sooo relatable. When Latinx people go anywhere, we are literally not willing to spend a penny on something we can easily get at home. At least that is how it was when I was growing up. When I used to go to the carnivals, we would get a free pizza lunch and free ride-all-day passes as part of the package we got to enter the fair. And that was it. Dinner was packed by my mother, we brought our own water and snacks. No one was allowed to waste money on those game stands or frozen drinks with the cool drinking straws. If I wanted a slushie, my dad offered to shave me ice and drench it in syrup when we got home. I have never seen anything like this written in a story, until now! AND I WAS HOWLING. When Miranda mentioned how her mom used to sneak snacks into stadiums/movies, I was just nodding and nodding. That was my entire childhood experience at the carnival. Have fun, enjoy, but don’t waste money on things we didn’t need.
It was the best.
What I Disliked:
I liked this book far too much to think of something that was not satisfactory. But if I have to be 100% honest, the ending was left really open. There wasn’t a clear resolution to any of the girls’ problems which I think was the intention. I would have liked some more clarity, but that’s just me.
Overall, this story was a breath of fresh air. It was light, fun and oh so fast. I finished it in one day and considering how slow of a reader I am, I’d say that’s an accomplishment. It has a great message about friendship and family. It has amazing characters and the whole carnival setting itself was so much fun, I ache to get to one myself this summer!
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars!
Recommend: Need a fast middle grade with some fun themes, I definitely say you should read this!
This book was everything I expected it to be and a little bit more. I absolutely adore carnivals, and although I haven’t been to one in a while, reading this book made me want to go to one this summer! Just like a carnival, this book was fun, light, and easy. It was full of great people and greasy food! Plus I have never related to the family so hard!
What I Liked:
Characters:
They were all so saucy!!! I loved it!! Flor is a character I was immediately drawn to. Her spunk and passion for her family’s petting zoo is adorable and admirable. She is willing to do everything she can if it means saving her family’s business and staying in the one place that truly feels like home. Then there is Miranda who at first I was a little meh towards but as the story gets deeper, I begin to understand her a lot more. Especially with her desire to have everyone like her or at least not think she is a bad person. I understand it. Miranda is also very passionate though a little too hesitant to take hold of her own choices. I’m not saying she is a push over, but she has been quite pushed over. This story explores her venture into taking even just a bit of control of her own decisions and the length she is willing to go to make them. In the end, I related to her a lot especially with her struggle to get the right Spanish accent! XD
Both girls are intelligent and funny. They have their flaws, fears and triumphs and I really enjoyed reading both of their perspectives.
The Plot:
The story is quite easy to follow and very entertaining. The whole books spans a matter of hours and many things happen in between. I liked Flor’s story and her plan to take down Miranda by pretending to befriend and trick her into missing her show. It was a devilish act and nothing goes according to plan, but she doesn’t give up. Miranda’s story was also fun. As she falls for Flor’s tricks, she is making her own plans to be free of her father’s planning and learning the ways of the carnival. Both stories interlace quite nicely, but I do feel there was just a bit more emphasis on Flor’s arc.
The Atmosphere:
I loved the carnival setting. I have to hand it to Torres, she knew exactly how to invoke all the feelings of the carnival. From the stands of delicious food, to the games to the rides and let’s not forget the sweltering heat! I have been to quite a few carnivals in my time and the fictional one in this book had all the essentials! It was so much fun exploring the grounds with Flor and Miranda, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was there at the fair with them!
The Family/Cultural Values:
If there is one thing you can get out of this book, it is how important family is. Both girls come from Latinx families and while they have their differences, they are quite similar. Both girls’ families struggle with money, a very important motif in the story. It is the centre of everyone’s worry and yet it is what brought both girls together (sort of). Money may not be the most important thing in the world, but it definitely is hard to live without.
I also liked that it showed the general structure of a Latinx family. Both had the head patriarch followed by the mom and then the kids. The patriarch was the one in charge of making sure the family had enough money to live and they are the ones who make all the big decisions (Which isn’t always the best thing.) Obviously, neither family is perfect and this book does a wonderful job of exploring that despite their imperfections, family is always #1.
Relate. Relate. Relate.:
On top of this book having a great portrayal of Latinx family structure, the way they act and behave was sooo relatable. When Latinx people go anywhere, we are literally not willing to spend a penny on something we can easily get at home. At least that is how it was when I was growing up. When I used to go to the carnivals, we would get a free pizza lunch and free ride-all-day passes as part of the package we got to enter the fair. And that was it. Dinner was packed by my mother, we brought our own water and snacks. No one was allowed to waste money on those game stands or frozen drinks with the cool drinking straws. If I wanted a slushie, my dad offered to shave me ice and drench it in syrup when we got home. I have never seen anything like this written in a story, until now! AND I WAS HOWLING. When Miranda mentioned how her mom used to sneak snacks into stadiums/movies, I was just nodding and nodding. That was my entire childhood experience at the carnival. Have fun, enjoy, but don’t waste money on things we didn’t need.
It was the best.
What I Disliked:
I liked this book far too much to think of something that was not satisfactory. But if I have to be 100% honest, the ending was left really open. There wasn’t a clear resolution to any of the girls’ problems which I think was the intention. I would have liked some more clarity, but that’s just me.
Overall, this story was a breath of fresh air. It was light, fun and oh so fast. I finished it in one day and considering how slow of a reader I am, I’d say that’s an accomplishment. It has a great message about friendship and family. It has amazing characters and the whole carnival setting itself was so much fun, I ache to get to one myself this summer!
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars!
Recommend: Need a fast middle grade with some fun themes, I definitely say you should read this!
August 1, 2018
So super cute - another contemporary novel with diverse characters that reminds me of a Disney Channel movie in the best way. Hand this to tweens who enjoy friendship stories and unusual settings.
April 13, 2023
Battle of the Books 2023-24
Book 9 of 16
3.5 stars
I thought this would be a mystery, but instead it's a story of family and friendship. I enjoyed it more than I expected. Not only is the setting unusual, but I really liked the two main characters—both are struggling with a major feature of childhood: lack of control. The title was a little misleading, however. I expected the two of them to be teamed up—partners in crime, if you will—but instead.. well I'll leave it to the reader to find out.
Full List of 2023-24 OBOB selections 3-5 Grades
The List of Things That Will Not Change ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ways to Make Sunshine ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rez Dogs ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show ⭐⭐⭐1/2
Allergic ⭐⭐⭐
Swim Team ⭐⭐⭐
Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (not the graphic novel) ⭐⭐
Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story ⭐⭐
A True Home ⭐⭐
The Jumbies
The Lion of Mars
The Midnight Children
New from Here
When You Trap a Tiger
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Book 9 of 16
3.5 stars
I thought this would be a mystery, but instead it's a story of family and friendship. I enjoyed it more than I expected. Not only is the setting unusual, but I really liked the two main characters—both are struggling with a major feature of childhood: lack of control. The title was a little misleading, however. I expected the two of them to be teamed up—partners in crime, if you will—but instead.. well I'll leave it to the reader to find out.
Full List of 2023-24 OBOB selections 3-5 Grades
The List of Things That Will Not Change ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ways to Make Sunshine ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rez Dogs ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show ⭐⭐⭐1/2
Allergic ⭐⭐⭐
Swim Team ⭐⭐⭐
Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (not the graphic novel) ⭐⭐
Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story ⭐⭐
A True Home ⭐⭐
The Jumbies
The Lion of Mars
The Midnight Children
New from Here
When You Trap a Tiger
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
September 6, 2018
Flor's family runs the petting zoo at the traveling carnival; Miranda is the lead singer in the new family band. These girls should be friends, but worry about their families' futures puts them at odds instead.
April 6, 2018
Engaging, satisfying middle grade fiction with interesting contrasts between parenting styles and family situations. (Plus, what kid doesn't secretly harbor a wish to live with a traveling carnival?) Every bit as enjoyable as Stef Soto, Taco Queen!
January 30, 2020
Miranda is the lead singer in the family band Miranda y los Reyes. When traveling carnival owner Mr. Barsetti sees her sing, he offers the band a chance to join the performer roster. It'll mean the biggest crowds the band has ever seen! But in order to make this dream happen for them, Mr. Barsetti feels he'll have to cut someone else from the team (to make the carnival finances work out). It looks like the one potentially up on the chopping block is Flor and her family's petting zoo attraction.
Knowing how her family's livelihood depends on the success of crowds at the petting zoo, Flor sets out to try to sabotage Miranda's performances. But can she honestly go through with her plans? Flor also feels a little guilty once she learns that Miranda's life is not as rosy and blessed as it might seem to an outsider. Though she loves to perform, Miranda is kept very much under her father's thumb --- she's forced to go where he says to go, perform only songs he wants, the way he wants them, and nothing else. Certain aspects of Miranda's life felt like Torres might have pulled at least a little inspiration from the life of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez (the early years). Miranda and her siblings also largely live off of whatever food is left over from carnival food vendors at each stop on the tour.
The kids get competitive once they realize there's an opportunity for them to earn a little extra money, sort of on the down low. For five bucks a day, their job is to walk around the fairgrounds carrying giant stuffed animals (the idea is to look like everyday kids having fun at the carnival, who just won a huge prize). Walk by kids with their parents in the midway strip and get an extra fifty cents for every kid they get to play a game. The idea also comes up to take one's rival to the most questionable food trucks at the fair, load up on food, and then take them on all the super spinny rides! LOL
So yeah, we get some laughs, along with an ultimately sweet story about rivals finding empathy and making unexpected new friends. The story covers a single day in the lives of Flor and Miranda, with each chapter starting with a time stamp to show how much time has elapsed before, you know, the "big conflict / resolution" finale moment. While the story had its cute moments and the setting was fun, I thought the ending rang a little weak.
Knowing how her family's livelihood depends on the success of crowds at the petting zoo, Flor sets out to try to sabotage Miranda's performances. But can she honestly go through with her plans? Flor also feels a little guilty once she learns that Miranda's life is not as rosy and blessed as it might seem to an outsider. Though she loves to perform, Miranda is kept very much under her father's thumb --- she's forced to go where he says to go, perform only songs he wants, the way he wants them, and nothing else. Certain aspects of Miranda's life felt like Torres might have pulled at least a little inspiration from the life of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez (the early years). Miranda and her siblings also largely live off of whatever food is left over from carnival food vendors at each stop on the tour.
The kids get competitive once they realize there's an opportunity for them to earn a little extra money, sort of on the down low. For five bucks a day, their job is to walk around the fairgrounds carrying giant stuffed animals (the idea is to look like everyday kids having fun at the carnival, who just won a huge prize). Walk by kids with their parents in the midway strip and get an extra fifty cents for every kid they get to play a game. The idea also comes up to take one's rival to the most questionable food trucks at the fair, load up on food, and then take them on all the super spinny rides! LOL
So yeah, we get some laughs, along with an ultimately sweet story about rivals finding empathy and making unexpected new friends. The story covers a single day in the lives of Flor and Miranda, with each chapter starting with a time stamp to show how much time has elapsed before, you know, the "big conflict / resolution" finale moment. While the story had its cute moments and the setting was fun, I thought the ending rang a little weak.
June 10, 2018
Huge thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for this ARC!
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show was a book I didn't even have on my radar. Going to HGBC ARC list, I read the synopsis and decided to give it a whirl because it felt like something children at my library branch would enjoy. For such a such book, it took me awhile to read -- not because it was bad, but because it was rich in entertainment and meaningful discussion.
Miranda is the lead singer in her family's ranchera band, while Flor is a girl who works in her family's petting zoo. When the carnival states that they are losing funds, Flor over hears that the petting zoo is in danger and that the money will go towards Miranda's ranchera band, which is growing in popularity. This premise tells you a lot about the story on the surface, but what it doesn't show is just how intense Miranda and Flor's friendship is.
This is a book about family trials and tribulations and how desperate stakes can affect a friendship, and this element is done so well. You feel for both Flor and Miranda, you see how their friendship is in jeopardy, but you also see how the girls work to try and show value for each other and their families. The book also shows the level of sacrifices the girls are willing to make to take care of each other, which is crazy unheard of in middle grade.
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show is a wonderfully crafted middle grade story that focuses on so many different topics, and does it with humour and heart. It's a story that shows how friends can work together to overcome difficult challenges, and even how they can advocate for each other. I adored this carnival tour, and I cannot wait to share this book with younger readers.
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show was a book I didn't even have on my radar. Going to HGBC ARC list, I read the synopsis and decided to give it a whirl because it felt like something children at my library branch would enjoy. For such a such book, it took me awhile to read -- not because it was bad, but because it was rich in entertainment and meaningful discussion.
Miranda is the lead singer in her family's ranchera band, while Flor is a girl who works in her family's petting zoo. When the carnival states that they are losing funds, Flor over hears that the petting zoo is in danger and that the money will go towards Miranda's ranchera band, which is growing in popularity. This premise tells you a lot about the story on the surface, but what it doesn't show is just how intense Miranda and Flor's friendship is.
This is a book about family trials and tribulations and how desperate stakes can affect a friendship, and this element is done so well. You feel for both Flor and Miranda, you see how their friendship is in jeopardy, but you also see how the girls work to try and show value for each other and their families. The book also shows the level of sacrifices the girls are willing to make to take care of each other, which is crazy unheard of in middle grade.
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show is a wonderfully crafted middle grade story that focuses on so many different topics, and does it with humour and heart. It's a story that shows how friends can work together to overcome difficult challenges, and even how they can advocate for each other. I adored this carnival tour, and I cannot wait to share this book with younger readers.
December 23, 2019
Wow! I loved this book so much. Moving down from teaching middle school to teaching 4th grade this year, my classroom needs have definitely changed, but my love of deep middle grade fiction that gets to the heart of what it means to be human has not. Flor and Miranda not only stole the show, but my heart. I loved the dual narration and how it really set off how much the girls do not know each other or what their lives are really like in the beginning. I loved the setting (a county fair) and the look at carnival life from the other side. Living in northern California, I find that a lot of books set in our state are about LA or SF. Set in the Central Valley of California, this book captures what being a Californian is really like. So many nuances of this book make it a story my students can relate to, from showing 4H animals to learning Spanish when the rest of your family members speak it. The real magic of this book, however, is its themes of friendship, family, and sacrifice. The length is also spot-on for middle grade readers.
July 23, 2018
Thanks to Little, Brown, and Company for the advance copy.
This was a really nice story about friendship, family, and finding yourself. The characters' emotions were very relatable, and I really liked the unique setting of the carnival/state fair. It offered a new and fresh background to the common themes of contemporary/realistic fiction for middle grade. In addition, there were diverse characters leading their normal lives that many could relate to, without overtly calling attention to the diversity, which was fantastic.
This was a really nice story about friendship, family, and finding yourself. The characters' emotions were very relatable, and I really liked the unique setting of the carnival/state fair. It offered a new and fresh background to the common themes of contemporary/realistic fiction for middle grade. In addition, there were diverse characters leading their normal lives that many could relate to, without overtly calling attention to the diversity, which was fantastic.
April 29, 2021
I loved this book. The interesting setting is what drove me to read it initially, and it was an integral part of the tale. Two eleven year old girls' families live and work with a traveling carnival. With carnival funds short, Miranda's singing family might just bump Flor's family's petting zoo right off the carnival circuit. Will Flor be able to trick Miranda into missing her key performance and save the animals? This book is perfect for that 7-10 age group with its themes of friendship and family.
September 8, 2021
A perfect short, sweet, heartfelt book about Flor, whose family owns a petting zoo with a traveling carnival, and Miranda, whose family recently joined the carnival as musical performers. I plan on giving to fans of the Netflix Selena show for sure!
February 25, 2023
I wasn’t a huge fan, the concept of the book was ok, but it wasn’t really one I would recommend. I myself am not fluent in Spanish so I didn’t understand most of the words, I would’ve understood it better if it had a glossary at the back, but it didn’t, and that made it very difficult to enjoy.
October 9, 2023
The lie-spiral and unnecessary animosity that I thought would jump-start the story ended up being the entire story. Still, a short and mostly likeable ride through a travelling carnival. Not Jennifer Torres's best, but if you've finished the rest...
May 15, 2019
This was a great story set at a carnival, and I liked how it flowed well in such a short amount of time.
August 29, 2019
I would have liked it better if it had had a better ending.
January 2, 2021
A book about friendship.
August 12, 2021
The carnival setting is a lot of fun and I like how high the stakes are for the kids and how Flor does something she really regrets.
July 31, 2022
I absolutely adored this book! It was so relatable and the character development was perfect.
November 15, 2023
I loved this story and the people in it!
December 7, 2023
The characters were well-written and relatable, but the didn't really go anywhere.
October 18, 2025
I express my extreme displeasure with this literary work and wish that rodents ascend into your anal orifice.
did-not-finish
January 20, 2026Putting this aside not because I dislike it, there's just another book by this author I would rather try.
August 30, 2018
This was such a sweet and heartwarming read! The carnival setting was fantastic and unique, the plot was great, and I loved Flor's petting zoo. I loved Miranda from the beginning, she was a little awkward and shy and she was trying to learn more Spanish. (I can relate)
While it took me a second to really like Flor because of her dislike of Miranda and her sabotage plan, I could understand why she did it and why she felt the way she did. Both girls learn lessons and become good friends and I loved the conclusion. I fell in love with Jennifer Torres' writing last year with Stef Soto, Taco Queen and this book did not disappoint. I highly recommend for fans of middle grade contemporary and Selena ages 6 and up
Rating: 5 Stars!
FTC DISCLAIMER: I received this book in exchange for an honest review
While it took me a second to really like Flor because of her dislike of Miranda and her sabotage plan, I could understand why she did it and why she felt the way she did. Both girls learn lessons and become good friends and I loved the conclusion. I fell in love with Jennifer Torres' writing last year with Stef Soto, Taco Queen and this book did not disappoint. I highly recommend for fans of middle grade contemporary and Selena ages 6 and up
Rating: 5 Stars!
FTC DISCLAIMER: I received this book in exchange for an honest review
January 31, 2024
Oregon OBOB Book
3-5 Division
2024 Competition
Cute book! Fun way to tell the story from two POV. Main themes: friendship, loyalty, communication, honesty.
3-5 Division
2024 Competition
Cute book! Fun way to tell the story from two POV. Main themes: friendship, loyalty, communication, honesty.
July 25, 2021
This is a book I picked up off my library’s shelves. I looked at the blurb and was like, “okay, I’ll read this.” I ended up loving Flor and Miranda, and how they become sorta friends. It’s full of fair food, which contains a lot of butter, carbs, and Cajun sauce; it’s full of friendship, and lastly, full of fuzzy animals. (Cue the “awww”s.) Great book!
Want to read
March 13, 2018Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2018.
Read
May 17, 2019This is a really solid middle grade novel: well-written with believable characters in an unusual setting that's brought to life with specific, relevant details. It has a clear plot and well-developed themes about the importance of family and friends.* It takes place in just one afternoon, and each chapter is "time-stamped", which is a great idea to introduce to young readers. It's written in alternating first person between the two girls, which is also a great way to see both sides of the story and understand how the two girls can misread each other's motivations.
One of my only criticisms is that the voices of the two characters could have been more distinct - if you picked this book and opened it to a random page without checking the chapter heading, you would probably need to read for a bit before you could figure out whose perspective you were in. The ending is also left very open and some readers may not like the unanswered questions of what becomes of the two families, but I suspect the author may have been leaving room for future Flor and Miranda books, which would be welcome. It could also serve as a good prompt for discussion with young readers - what do they think happened next?
*Here's an excerpt from Flor's perspective that shows how the carnival details, notions of the carnival workers as a family, the current action, and Flor's uncertainty over her own plan are all woven seamlessly together. I also chose this excerpt because it's the end of a chapter that brought back my own vivid memories of goofing around on a half-empty Gravitron ride with my friends. :)
One of my only criticisms is that the voices of the two characters could have been more distinct - if you picked this book and opened it to a random page without checking the chapter heading, you would probably need to read for a bit before you could figure out whose perspective you were in. The ending is also left very open and some readers may not like the unanswered questions of what becomes of the two families, but I suspect the author may have been leaving room for future Flor and Miranda books, which would be welcome. It could also serve as a good prompt for discussion with young readers - what do they think happened next?
*Here's an excerpt from Flor's perspective that shows how the carnival details, notions of the carnival workers as a family, the current action, and Flor's uncertainty over her own plan are all woven seamlessly together. I also chose this excerpt because it's the end of a chapter that brought back my own vivid memories of goofing around on a half-empty Gravitron ride with my friends. :)
Once in a while, if we weren't in a hurry to get back on the road, Mr. Barsetti let us keep a ride or two open after a carnival had closed. Not very often--"soaring cost of electricity, you know"--but sometimes. And on those nights, Mikey and I always used to beg for one of the rides to be the Gravitron. When it was full of guests like this, we had to obey all the rules.
When it was just us carnival kids, though, no one cared if we climbed all the way up to the ceiling or walked sideways across the walls.
Next time, we would have to bring Randy with us. Maybe after the carnival closed that night.
Then I remembered: Whatever happened that night, we probably wouldn't come back to ride the Gravitron together. Miranda and I were not really friends. I didn't want her around. The longer she stayed, the more I had to worry.
The Gravitron began to slow. "Please return to a standing position," Marcus warned. "Your ride is coming to an end."
Everyone booed. The pressure against my shoulders eased. I slid back to the ground, a little at a time. As soon as the Gravitron bumped to a stop, the regular white lights turned back on. The music was softer now, but I could still feel it pulsing in my ears. Randy took off her hat and fanned herself with it.
"That. Was. Amazing," she said.
"I'm glad you liked it." And even though it was hard to admit, I really was.
Marcus was at the door, taking people under the elbow and helping them down, just in case they were too dizzy to get out safely on their own.
When it was our turn to go, he winked at me. Instead of guiding us off the ride, he steered us back around the circle. "One more time?" he said as the music thumped on.
I started to shake my head. But Randy jumped up from behind me. "Yes!"
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