Circus Mirandus

A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with the illness or impending loss of a grandparent, and needs a story that balances deep sadness with enduring magic. It tells the story of ten-year-old Micah Tuttle, whose beloved Grandpa Ephraim is dying. Micah's only hope is to find the magical, secret Circus Mirandus his grandfather visited as a boy, and ask the Lightbender, a powerful magician, to grant the miracle he promised Ephraim decades ago. This beautiful story weaves together themes of profound love, anticipatory grief, and the power of belief. For ages 8 to 12, it directly addresses the pain of losing a loved one but does so through the gentle, wondrous lens of magical realism. It's an excellent choice for a sensitive child because it validates the desire for a magical solution while offering a comforting, hopeful way to understand that love and memory are their own powerful forms of magic that last forever.