From the Publisher
"A hair-raising, exhilarating, big-top mystery." – Kirkus Reviews
"The Marvelwoods are mighty interesting...The suspenseful plot moves quickly, and Zahler vividly portrays the unbearable pain of losing an innate part of one's self...Bound to entice voracious and reluctant readers alike." – School Library Journal
"This is a wonderful tale of bravery, friendship, and mystery under the big top!" – School Library Connection
"Zahler has created realistic characters with believable emotions, and the circus setting is dynamic and full of exciting activity. (A)n engaging, well executed fantasy." – Booklist
School Library Journal
07/01/2017
Gr 4–6—The Marvelwoods are mighty interesting. Each member of the family has a particular talent. Eleven-year-old Mattie can read minds. Her brother Bell can disappear at will, her little sister Tibby levitates, her mum tells fortunes, and her dad can create illusions. After the family's old van suffers yet another breakdown, they end up in a small town right as a traveling circus is visiting. Invited to perform by the charismatic but menacing Ringmaster Master Morogh, the Marvelwoods meet fascinating and kind performers. Mattie makes a close friend and finds satisfaction in being in one place with the same people instead of constantly being on the road. The Marvelwoods have a tendency to distance themselves from others so that no one learns that their talents are real. Mattie is the only one to notice that performers' special abilities are disappearing, one by one, while Morogh seems to be gaining abilities apace. After her best friend and her family members are targeted, she realizes they must do something to stop the evil Morogh. The suspenseful plot moves quickly, and Zahler vividly portrays the unbearable pain of losing an innate part of one's self. VERDICT Bound to entice voracious and reluctant readers alike. Hand this one to fans of Ingrid Law's Savvy and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes.—B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA
DECEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
Narrator Sarah Zimmerman captures the wonder in this middle-grade mystery set against the backdrop of a traveling circus. Mattie’s family, the Marvelwood Magicians, are traveling performers whose talents—mind reading, fortune-telling, even invisibility—are entirely real. The Marvelwoods never seem to fit in, but when they join Master Morogh’s Circus of Wonders, all that changes. Zimmerman sensitively conveys Mattie’s shy delight at finding friends and a place to call home while also depicting her maturing understanding of the choices her parents have made. When tragedy strikes and the circus is put in danger, Zimmerman brings forth Mattie’s determination to protect her loved ones and set things right. Ringing with sincerity, this dynamic and captivating audio is a perfect choice for family listening. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2017-06-14
Mathilda "Mattie" Marvelwood wants a normal life: friends, school, and a home in one place.Instead, the five Marvelwoods travel all year in a cramped caravan, making a living performing at carnivals, fairs, and circuses. Each Marvelwood boasts a special talent: mom Maya is a fortuneteller; dad Simon is a master illusionist; 11-year-old Mattie is a mind reader; her 9-year-old brother, Bell, can disappear at will; and their sister, 4-year-old Tibby, can levitate. A big secret separates the Marvelwoods from other performers: their talents are real. After the family joins Master Morogh's Circus of Wonders, Mattie discovers the shady ringmaster is stealing his performers' talents. When he takes Bell's and Maya's powers, Mattie offers up what the ringmaster covets most: her mind-reading skills. Mattie doesn't want her ability, anyway; she's tired of being different, and Maya and Bell will get their powers back. However Mattie discovers life without mind reading isn't as liberating as she thought it would be. Can she defeat Morogh and recover her talent? The close-knit family of diverse circus folk is the book's highlight. Mattie's da is from a Scottish Traveller clan, and Maya is Indian. There's an Italian family of aerialists; a Sumatran tiger tamer; a quintet of Hungarian tumblers; and a dark-skinned tightrope walker. A hair-raising, exhilarating, big-top mystery. (Fantasy/mystery. 8-13)
