LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS

A farm girl learns to ride an ostrich.

The year is 1920, and the place is Burr Oak, Michigan. Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles has grown a bit tired of her small-town life, working her father’s farm with her siblings. She feels an itch to explore the world, but no one in her family encourages her to give that itch a scratch. When Fred, Suzy’s ne’er-do-well uncle, moves back to the farm only to skip out on his chores every morning, Suzy decides to follow him to figure out what he’s doing with his time. This leads her to legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her amazing ostriches. It doesn’t take long for Suzy to become wrapped up in the world of traveling entertainers; a spark is lit within her to grab on tight to this ticket out of Burr Oak. Readers will find Suzy an engaging protagonist, feeling simultaneously thoroughly contemporary and classic in a story whose narrative arc is well-crafted. Suzy’s itch to leave the farm is balanced by an earnest appreciation for those who are contented to stay behind—the author makes it clear that what’s good for them isn’t exactly good for Suzy, and there’s no fault or shame on anyone’s plate. Small’s energetic illustrations are expressive and humorous, vividly evoking the time and setting. Main characters default to White.

A wonderful character piece.