Circus Galacticus

by Deva Fagan
This title will be released on November 15, 2011
Harcourt Children’s Books
(Ages 9-12)
Review by Debra Louise Scott

Imagine a circus hurdling through the stars. Imagine this star circus sets down in your town. Imagine falling through a mirror….  Circus Galacticus is the story of the daughter of astronaut parents who are killed in a space shuttle accident. This young orphan is sent to a boarding school where she just never seems to fit in. Then the circus comes to town. When Trix sees a message that seems tailor made for her on the circus poster, she is determined to find answers among the carnies and mirror houses. But there is a mysterious man chasing her and in her panic to get away, she falls through a gateway not meant for humans.

Fagan weaves a fun tale about cliques (as in not being part of one), friendship, and making assumptions about others. It is also very much about self-image and measuring ourselves against the abilities of others. It starts a little slow, but soon builds to a more intricate plot with several sub plots woven into the whole. The ending leaves a possibility open for sequels that follow the interesting stories of each of the different characters.

At first I was a bit put off, as it seemed to borrow heavily from Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, and from every other story about an outcast orphan in a boarding school.  The author also seemed to want to write a character specifically for one very well known actor known for his outrageous portrayals of eccentrics. However, once the story got rolling it brought out its own flavor and was enjoyable on its own merits. What would you give to live on a spaceship primarily staffed by young teenagers, who divide their time between ship duties and practicing circus routines?  How would you handle being chased by someone who seems to be able to suddenly appear just about anywhere?  Circus Galacticus brews up some fun adventures and a few nail biting dangers. The talented kids know how to put their talents as equally to mischief as to the task at hand, and aren’t shy about fomenting a bit of rebellion when needed.

Curiously, I found on a search that Circus Galacticus exists as an unpublished graphic novel by Michael Walker and was scheduled in 2009 to be made into a film by Vanguard Films (which employs Michael Walker as a screenwriter/producer).  I don’t know if it is the same story, but certain elements in the promo appear to echo the new book by Deva Fagan. It could be a coincidence, or there could be some agreement for collaboration on the story line, but it is curious that the previous title use is not mentioned in the promotional blurb. Perhaps it will be, as I was given the uncorrected proof to review, not the final version which is due out in November 2011