Girl in the Shadows

Gr 8 Up—Moira Mitchell takes center stage alongside the Maronis and Garcias in this follow-up to Girl on a Wire. Moira is a talented escape artist and wants to prove to her father and the world that she has what it takes to make it as a successful headliner. When she joins the Cirque American, she knows she must step up her game and not get distracted by the handsome knife thrower, Dez. Getting out of a straitjacket while trapped inside an airtight glass coffin and escaping from handcuffs while dangling from a giant Ferris wheel are just some of the amazing feats that The Miraculous Moira showcases. The teen has never believed in actual magic but soon learns that it is very real. She must control her own powers if she is going to survive her illusions; Moira also has to stop a group of magic users—including her long-lost mother—from gaining control of the magical coin from the previous novel. Bond combines a strong female lead with circus culture, magical realism, and a bit of romance for a fresh and interesting read. Like Jules in Girl on a Wire, Moira pays tribute to historical female magicians who have been overshadowed by their male counterparts. This title can be read on its own but will be more enjoyable to readers who are already familiar with the "Cirque American" books.