Customer Reviews

The Circus Lunicus

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For generations, girls have dreamed of having their problems magically put into focus via a fairy godmother, no matter how bleak their lives (with or without ugly-hearted step families) might be. Young MEN now have a hero in mysterious shoes, courtesy of charming and prolific children's author, Marilyn Singer. Thanks to an absentee mother, a work-weary father, a nasty stepmother and two creepy step bros, Solly has it tough. But stumbling on (and in) to the Circus Lunicus will definitely put a new spin on his odd little life. Peeking in on Solly's curious adventure is sure to delight readers from 8 to 10 (not to mention the grown-ups smart enough to snuggle up and read it with them).

Writers have always been attracted to circuses and carnivals. Marilyn Singer is no exception. But in her circus, there's more going on than meets the eye (or claw). Solly, her main character, has been stepped on by life (and especially by his step mother and step brothers). But when the circus enters his life, along with various lizards, the scales start to tip in his direction. Why does the ring master seem to know so much about him? Who is the mysterious little girl he keeps running into? And why does his father have such a strange reaction to lizards? Everything is tied together with wit and humor, making this book a fun and satisfying read.

This is an odd little story with some bizzare twists and turns that ultimately entertains but does not satisfy the reader. Solomon Yanish is the youngest of three boys in a disfunctional family. Solly quickly realizes there is a connection between his mothers disappearance six years ago and the return of the Circus Lunicus. The first half of the book reads like a whimsical mystery as Solly creeps around the circus trying to discover it's secrets. The second half of the book is a science fiction farce. Solly's toy lizard becomes a real six foot tall reptile named Freeble. She helps Solly become a reptile too! Solly finds out that the whole circus crew are from planet Reptilia. Eventually, we find out that Solly's mom is a reptilian and that they came back to reclaim Solly as one of their own. In one of the more "realistic" passages, Solly and his stepmother argue and she smacks him. While this is a bizzare enough tale to hold a child's attention, it lacks focus and meaning.