I liked this concept, and did enjoy it, but am still trying to figure out why it didn't quite work for me. I think I would have liked for Aunt Gertrudis to be a little less extreme. I loved Ephraim and Micah's relationship, though I didn't feel very emotional about it. Great cover and art, and the last line of the acknowledgements is nice. Good for 4th-6th graders who like fantasy (and circuses, I suppose.)