- Genre: Animal Story/Realistic Contemporary
- Grade Level: 4th - 6th
- Reading Level: 4th?
- Length: 272 pages
- Publisher: Harper Collins (February 14, 2017)
- My Rating: 5 out of 4
- Division 1 and Crossover
12 year old Lilly's grandparents and mother are circus performers. Lilly, however, lives with her father and really doesn't care for the circus lifestyle. Her mother left years ago and has not given Lilly a maternal influence at all. Her grandfather is also a caretaker of an elephant named Queenie Grace. Grandpa Bill dies suddenly and Lilly flies to Florida to be with the family. The grief the family shares is also the same grief Queenie Grace, the elephant experiences. The alternating chapters are also from the point of view of Queenie Grace which I always looked forward to
Lilly meets unique characters in this Florida town which is really a place where circus performers vacation during the winter. She meets a boy who is "Alligator Boy" in the circus and they become good friends. All of the characters interact as they deal with the loss of Grandpa Bill. . Conflict arises as they realize that the family can no longer afford to take care of Queenie Grace and she needs a new home. The estranged relationship between Lilly and her mother is also addressed.
Lilly meets unique characters in this Florida town which is really a place where circus performers vacation during the winter. She meets a boy who is "Alligator Boy" in the circus and they become good friends. All of the characters interact as they deal with the loss of Grandpa Bill. . Conflict arises as they realize that the family can no longer afford to take care of Queenie Grace and she needs a new home. The estranged relationship between Lilly and her mother is also addressed.
This book reminds me of The One and Only Ivan and Water for Elephants. The circus life is unique but family difficulties are universal. I loved the characters and style of writing and flew through this story. I highly recommend this book.
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