The Circus

Gr 9 Up—Levez's latest follows 16-year-old Willow as she runs away (not for the first time) from her father and pregnant soon-to-be stepmother's wealth to the unstable world of the streets. Willow quickly meets Suz, a homeless, fire-eating street performer who first presents herself as an enemy—stealing Willow's remaining savings and disappearing in a crowded restaurant. But when they reunite, Suz grows into a friend, instructing Willow on the ins and outs of survival on the streets and how to perform and bringing Willow closer to her dream of being part of a circus troupe—just like the mother she's never met. Unfortunately, this story leans heavily upon the "misunderstood rich kid" trope without adding authenticity to the narrative. Though readers could forgive the protagonist for starting out with a healthy dose of unchecked privilege, they may not be able to overlook that she begins and ends the novel with relatively the same sheltered outlook. More troubling, even after almost 300 pages, Willow never seems to view Suz (and the truly tragic traumas she has suffered—mysteries that unfold over the course of the plot) as more than an exotic vehicle for bringing meaning to her own journey of (stunted) emotional growth and rebellion. Instances of rape, drug addiction, underage drinking, and mature language make this title more appropriate for older readers.