Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

The New York Times called Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley a "An ineffable arena of magic in a beguiling first novel."

...but is it distinguished?

I hope others will comment. I read about 1/3 of the book and then had to return it to the library. I am not really inclined to request it again, but maybe someone can convince me.

I LOVED this book. I loved the beginning "Four small words. That was all it took to set things into motion". I loved the characters-Micah (so much like James in James and the Giant Peach!), his evil aunt, his super smart best friend, Jenny (so much like Hermione!). I loved the magical aspects as well as the realism. I loved the heart of this book.

Kristen wrote: "The New York Times called Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley a "An ineffable arena of magic in a beguiling first novel."

...but is it distinguished?"

I think it is quite distinguished. Bravo for it being the author's first novel.

I think if you take into consideration that a young woman wrote this and that it is her first book then yes, it is distinguished. Not everyone will appreciate the many layers of this novel but I would bet that there are kids looking for circus tents that only they can see. On a side note, I just finished "Chasing Secrets" by Gennifer Choldenko and it is wonderful historical fiction. September's pick?

The first 2/3 of the book really didn't excite me, but I did like the last 1/3 a lot more. I bought the book based on the rave reviews on Twitter and so many people stating it was their favorite so far of 2015. If I hadn't bought the book, I probably would have abandoned the book. I guess I am one of those readers that couldn't appreciate the many layers the novel. I really hope it is not considered for Newbery.

I found Circus Mirandus very enjoyable, but fantasy is my favorite genre by far. I really liked the main kid characters along with Grandpa and enjoyed the outrageous aunt. I truly wanted Micah to find an alternative to having to go live with her! While I enjoyed it personally I don't foresee it getting the Newbery. (Echo & the War that saved my life are my top contenders.) Also, I would have ended the story differently but I don't want to be a spoiler so I'll keep those ideas to myself.

Czechgirl wrote: "The first 2/3 of the book really didn't excite me, but I did like the last 1/3 a lot more. I bought the book based on the rave reviews on Twitter and so many people stating it was their favorite so..."

Maybe I'll pick it back up and give it another chance because of your comments.

Julie wrote: "I found Circus Mirandus very enjoyable, but fantasy is my favorite genre by far. I really liked the main kid characters along with Grandpa and enjoyed the outrageous aunt. I truly wanted Micah to..."

The War That Saved My Life is definitely at the top of my list this year. If you have not listened to the audio version...do it! It is beautiful. This will definitely be on my reread list during hard core Mock time!! (Do I have time to reread? Yikes!) Echo is at the top as well. If feel like this year there are less distinguished books for N and C. Not that there aren't a lot of great books out there, just not as many distinguished. Still waiting to read Lost in the Sun.

While I appreciated some of the creative ideas that went into constructing the plot, I thought there was a lot to be desired in the writing. This book felt like a draft to me, that needed some editing and refining. Also, I agree with Julie, above, that there could have been some other, more satisfying options for the ending.

I would not be surprised to see this on everyone's short list at the end of the year, but mainly because there just aren't a lot of real contenders yet. I'm hoping for great things from this fall's releases.

I thought this book was beautiful! Especially the characters. Beasley did do a fantastic job. I'm hesitant to say it's a winner because I found the ending a tad disappointing. Not quite the fulfillment I was looking for. Did anyone else feel that way?

I really like this book--it reminds me of an adult favorite of mine : Night Circus by Morgenstern. I liked the conflict with the aunt, and the friendship with the smart girl who thought she could fix anything and the mysterious people. The ending seemed a little pushed together. This definitely a book I'll recommend. Right now I think I like The War That Saved My Life and Echo better.

LauraW wrote: "I hope others will comment. I read about 1/3 of the book and then had to return it to the library. I am not really inclined to request it again, but maybe someone can convince me."

I'm halfway through and I'm really enjoying it. I've not made up my mind as to whether it is Newbery worthy or not. But I know several students who will enjoy it and I have it on the reading list for my 4th & 5th Grade Book Club.

I loved this book, but I, too, love fantasy. I thought the characters were nicely developed and the plot was unique.

The thing I like about this book is how the knots become another alphabet and communication system. I like conveying the idea to children that there are multiple ways of thinking and expressing ourselves.
The thing I don’t like about this book is the cruelty of the grandmother, Victoria. The scene where she kills all her birds is horrifying. The scene where Gertie jumps off the roof is heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed this book. I agree with others that the first 2/3rds were a bit slow. The last 1/3 more than made up for it. I loved Micah and Ephraim. I love the end where you realize that love is the real magic.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were likable except for the aunt. I like the addition in there about how the aunt came to not believe in the circus. The Bird Lady was so mean. That was sad to see. The fact that an adult (or another human being) could crush a child's dreams is hurtful to read about; but it was needful for the book.
Very enjoyable book!!!

This is not my usual genre book to read, but the plot drove me to finish. With magic, there has to be a platform from which to suspend the disbelief and that's where the problem came in for me.

Gail wrote: "With magic, there has to be a platform from which to suspend the disbelief and that's where the problem came in for me."
I actually thought one of the strengths of this book was the believability of the magic circus. I liked the way the author used the Peter Pan model requiring that the character had to believe in order to be able to see the circus.

I meant it in the reverse. I really believed all of the magic. It was his home life that seemed lacking in credibility. The relationship with his aunt was the hardest part for me

I found this book to be undercooked. Important characters were not well developed, the circus setting was not fully imagined, plot points seemed arbitrary rather than essential to the narrative.

Not distinguished in my opinion (particularly in comparison to the gorgeous NIGHT CIRCUS - which wasn't written for children, of course!)

Fantasy is not my favorite genre, and it took me some time to get interested in Circus Mirandus. The last third of the book was interesting. I could feel the love between the boy and the grandfather, but I did not understand why the aunt hated the circus. I liked the magic of the circus. I liked the ending of the book. I do not see this as a Newbery candidate. Echo is still at the top of my possible Newbery list.

As other commenters have noted, this book is similar to one of my absolute favorites: Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus. Circus Mirandus isn't quite as fulfilling, but I was totally in for the world-building Beasley accomplished. My favorite parts were the chapters that read like short stories, particularly those with the ultimately vicious Amazonian Bird Woman.

Now: is the book distinguished? I liked it, but I'm not sure if it created quite the impact that my current favorite (Echo) had.

I've read quite a few contenders and Echo is my front runner for Newberry. My second choice is the one I'm currently reading; Way to Stay in Destiny. The main character Theo is easy to relate to. I'm rooting for him every page I read!

Started reading CM, but just couldn't get into it. Finally got to download the audio version and listened to it, but still had trouble getting into it. Not a strong contender for me.