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Seven Moon Circus
The Adventures of a Wild Boy in a Space Traveling Circus. The Wild Boy has no idea what a human may be . . . much less that he is one. But then a family of animal experts from a space traveling circus spots him from their hot air balloon. When they land in the Cloud Forest to investigate, he drops from his home in the trees and befriends them. Soon he must choose between the only life he's ever known--living with wild animals--and his only chance to live with his own kind. His fateful decision draws him into a human world of circus freaks, daring stunts, space ship adventures and . . . the battle for power over all of Empire Luna.
318 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 10, 2013
I was over the moon to receive a book from an indie author who belongs to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, SCBWI. That’s the first clue that a children’s author knows what he’s doing. The second clue is that he went to the trouble of hiring a well-respected professional team of editors and illustrators for the book, and a common core teaching expert to write the educator’s guide. The third clue is in the writing itself. I found a well-crafted, entertaining story. Actually, it’s three. The paperback includes three individual titles combined in one volume. Bonus!
Now for what I liked. Characters first. As the mother of four wild boys, I liked Marz the best, although I would have preferred more of the wild boy’s point of view. I kept wondering how much he understood about what was going on around him and never found out. Although I didn’t get to see enough of what he was thinking for my taste, I also know that kids like less thinking and more action. For a middle grade book, the author has to go with the target age group’s preferences. I also liked Elizabelle, in that difficult age where adults think she’s a child, yet she wants to be an adult. I also liked seeing a book where the parents were not absent or bad, but a positive influence and presence. Of course there was a bad guy I loved to hate, but a bad woman governor, Mai-Kellina, pulled most of the poison strings. Then there was Tricka, who took the cake for the most interesting character I’ve met in a long while.
The pacing was a little slow at the start, but it soon picked up with Marz, lots of monkey business—“Rule one do fun”—and fur-raising escapes. Each time Mars thought he’d found freedom, another obstacle popped up. The Hawken family seemed defeated by Mai-Kellina until important allies entered the story, including the Quagga, an extinct species of zebra featured in the educator’s guide. The story arc included a royal dilemma involving a missing queen, genetics experiments, and power plays, enough to keep an adult entertained and wondering. Although I guessed where things were going, the author got there in ways I didn’t guess.
Of course as a geek, I loved the scientific wonders like view-gems. That’s the only one I’ll mention, but there were others. I also loved the wordplay and songs. I almost laughed aloud when I read about the wonderful Buzzard of Boz. I had to sing other parts where I recognized the tunes. Oh yes, the names have significance I didn’t notice until the author explained. If you want to know, you’ll have to ask him yourself. Suffice it to say, it will be more fun if you figure it out. I also enjoyed how Mars skunked his opponents. Shoko candy not so much. You’ll see what I mean when you read.
The only thing I didn’t like was where the author went into omniscient point of view. My limit is one person per section because I can’t identify myself as two people without a little break in between. Kids won’t notice, and it doesn’t happen often. A couple of parts strained my credibility, and I already mentioned I would like to see more of Marz’s point of view. But the book was great overall. Like any series book, there were things reserved for the next installment, but the story arc was otherwise complete. I highly recommend Seven Moon Circus, especially to teachers for classroom use. Four stars for a young-at-heart adult, five stars for kids. I’m definitely on board whenever the next circus train comes to town.
Now for what I liked. Characters first. As the mother of four wild boys, I liked Marz the best, although I would have preferred more of the wild boy’s point of view. I kept wondering how much he understood about what was going on around him and never found out. Although I didn’t get to see enough of what he was thinking for my taste, I also know that kids like less thinking and more action. For a middle grade book, the author has to go with the target age group’s preferences. I also liked Elizabelle, in that difficult age where adults think she’s a child, yet she wants to be an adult. I also liked seeing a book where the parents were not absent or bad, but a positive influence and presence. Of course there was a bad guy I loved to hate, but a bad woman governor, Mai-Kellina, pulled most of the poison strings. Then there was Tricka, who took the cake for the most interesting character I’ve met in a long while.
The pacing was a little slow at the start, but it soon picked up with Marz, lots of monkey business—“Rule one do fun”—and fur-raising escapes. Each time Mars thought he’d found freedom, another obstacle popped up. The Hawken family seemed defeated by Mai-Kellina until important allies entered the story, including the Quagga, an extinct species of zebra featured in the educator’s guide. The story arc included a royal dilemma involving a missing queen, genetics experiments, and power plays, enough to keep an adult entertained and wondering. Although I guessed where things were going, the author got there in ways I didn’t guess.
Of course as a geek, I loved the scientific wonders like view-gems. That’s the only one I’ll mention, but there were others. I also loved the wordplay and songs. I almost laughed aloud when I read about the wonderful Buzzard of Boz. I had to sing other parts where I recognized the tunes. Oh yes, the names have significance I didn’t notice until the author explained. If you want to know, you’ll have to ask him yourself. Suffice it to say, it will be more fun if you figure it out. I also enjoyed how Mars skunked his opponents. Shoko candy not so much. You’ll see what I mean when you read.
The only thing I didn’t like was where the author went into omniscient point of view. My limit is one person per section because I can’t identify myself as two people without a little break in between. Kids won’t notice, and it doesn’t happen often. A couple of parts strained my credibility, and I already mentioned I would like to see more of Marz’s point of view. But the book was great overall. Like any series book, there were things reserved for the next installment, but the story arc was otherwise complete. I highly recommend Seven Moon Circus, especially to teachers for classroom use. Four stars for a young-at-heart adult, five stars for kids. I’m definitely on board whenever the next circus train comes to town.
September 9, 2013
A space circus that travels around the home planet and 7 moons, what a wonderfully fun setting! The author does an excellent job of getting you hooked in the first chapter and keeping you hooked. There is so much for the imagination. I loved reading about the different circus acts and soon after, being on edge while space ships shoot at each other. I learned about an extinct zebra called a Quagga and wondered about how acrobats can fly through the air like they do. This book is wonderfully written, thought provoking and entertaining for young teens all the way up to adults. I can't wait for more books!
For teachers out there, there is an educators guide to this book that gives wonderful ideas to enhance learning after reading this book. You can read about it on amazon in the discription. Your kids will LOVE this book!
For teachers out there, there is an educators guide to this book that gives wonderful ideas to enhance learning after reading this book. You can read about it on amazon in the discription. Your kids will LOVE this book!
September 10, 2013
This is a well written book. It has a nice balance of action, adventure and a little intrigue, enough to keep young adult readers, especially boys, interested.
I read Seven Moon Circus before giving it to my 9 year old nephew as a birthday gift. The characters, both young and adult are well developed and the dialogue is very real and comfortable.
I was made aware of this book before it was actually published and was not disappointed with the finished product.
I read Seven Moon Circus before giving it to my 9 year old nephew as a birthday gift. The characters, both young and adult are well developed and the dialogue is very real and comfortable.
I was made aware of this book before it was actually published and was not disappointed with the finished product.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews