This year’s Young Readers League selection is Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley.

In the spirit of One City One Story, Young Readers League is designed as a community-wide reading celebration. The goal is to bring kids, families, and educators together to explore a book’s themes through discussion, activities, art, and more.  Over thirty tie-in activities and events were scheduled throughout the months of October and November at Pasadena Libraries and Vroman’s Bookstores.  The author of Circus Mirandus, Cassie Beasley, visited several schools before her final event on November 19 at Pasadena Central Library.

Circus Mirandus is a story of magic and hope. Although the target audience for this title is ages 8-14, we strongly believe it will be highly enjoyable to older readers as well.  It is also a great choice for a read-aloud to younger kids.  Here’s a summary:

Even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other—the Man Who Bends Light. Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. The Circus is real. And the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather.

The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn’t want to keep his promise. And now it’s up to Micah to get the miracle he came for.

 

During Saturday’s event, the kid and teen winners of our Young Readers League writing contest shared their stories on stage. Author Cassie Beasley followed with a presentation, Q&A with the audience, then met with fans and signed books. Attendees could then play circus games, win prizes, enjoy snacks, get their face painted, and visit the photo booth.

The Young Readers League is estimated to have reached over a thousand participants.  Circus Mirandus is Cassie Beasley’s debut novel.


Photobooth photos


Photos by Katie Staniford Photography

More about Young Readers League

The 2016 Young Readers League selection committee were:  Pasadena Public Library librarians Jane Gov & Jennifer Driscoll; Vroman’s Bookstore managers Danielle Borsch & Ashlee Null; PUSD educators Alyson Beecher & Laura Palmer; and kids: Alex, Tess, Timothy, Jasmine, Ashley, Alicia.

Additional thanks to Vromans staff who helped out:  Jennifer Ramos & Jen Pino

And a huge thanks to the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library for their sponsorship of this program!

Also, here’s the event featured in Publisher’s Weekly In Brief.