Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby
Rating: 3/5
Circus’s are a recent trend in literature and it’s easy to see why. They captivate the imagination and allow you to step into another world, all while keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground. But there’s also a dark side of circus life. Those same “freaks” who are on display have no other way to make a living and have been shunned by society. The nomadic lifestyle makes it difficult to raise a family or have a normal life. Barnaby explores these themes in Wonder Show.
If you’re looking for an uplifting tale of the circus, don’t look here.Eerily reminiscent of a Grimm’s fairy tale in its conception of childhood, Barnaby’s story focuses on Portia Remini a young girl who runs away from a group home to join the circus. But it isn’t just any circus — Mosco’s Traveling Wonder Show is full of freaks and curiosities ranging from the Fat Woman to the Albino Family. What follows is a jaunt through 1939 America that will leave you curious for more.
If you’re looking for a book that explores history in a new way, check out Wonder Show. It’s perfect for teens who want novels without dystopian themes or vampires/werewolves/mermaids. Barnaby handles themes of loneliness, friendship, and loss with care.
Read-a-likes:
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Library of Alexandra 
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