Long Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird, David Small
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 0593303938
Pages: 256
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Long Road to the Circus

 

At twelve years old Suzy knows that she wants more to  life than her endless farm chores in 1920 Michigan.  One day she follows her uncle to find out why he is always appearing to be sneaking out to escape from farm work.  What Suzy finds is completely not what she expected.  Her famous neighbor, Madame Marantette, is a former circus performer who was able to escape small-town life, but then returned.

Not only does Suzy want answers, but there are ostriches, in Michigan!

Suzy begins to train a particularly ornery ostrich, Gaucho, to pull a surrey in unison with a horse, as Madame tries to break a world record and Suzy attempts to learn to ride Gaucho with a side-saddle.

This book is based on ancestors from the author’s family history, as readers learn in the final sections.

The illustrations are excellent and they tie into the text perfectly.  This book is heartedly recommended for middle graders and for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland