Long Road to the Circus

Product Description

The story of a girl who rides an ostrich straight to her dreams from the
award-winning writer and librarian Betsy Bird, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small.
 
“Beautifully told by one of our best librarians.” —Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature

Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles is tired of summers filled with chores on her family farm in Burr Oak, Michigan, and desperate to see the world. When her wayward uncle moves back home to the farm, only to skip his chores every morning for mysterious reasons, Suzy decides to find out what he’s up to once and for all. And that’s when she meets legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her ostriches. Before long, Suzy finds herself caught-up in the fast-paced, hilarious world of ostrich riding, a rollicking adventure that just might be her ticket out of Burr Oak.

Review

“Do not read this book unless you are planning to run away and join the circus. Beautifully told by one of our best librarians. And just as beautifully, and inevitably, illustrated by David Small.” —Jon Scieszka, The First National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature

“Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to ride an ostrich?! This is a grand, classic tale of finding one’s own weird way through the world. Suzy—and her feathered friend, Gaucho—will become lifelong companions of the reader lucky enough to spend time with them.” —Eliot Schrefer,
New York Times bestselling author

“What a cheer-worthy, galloping, heartfelt adventure! Suzy and Madame are my new inspirations. It is indeed a long road to the circus, but worth every step.” —Catherine Gilbert Murdock, Newbery Honor-Winning author of
The Book of Boy and the bestselling Dairy Queen series

“An appealing main character and a quirky plot make this historical novel a page-turner. By the time kids reach the celebratory yet bittersweet ending, they’ll appreciate that it takes
hard work and determination to achieve goals.” –
Parents Magazine
 
“This unconventional tale is a hoot and an encouraging call to live an adventurous life on one’s own terms.” —
Booklist
 
“Readers will find Suzy an engaging protagonist, feeling simultaneously thoroughly contemporary and classic in a story whose narrative arc is well-crafted . . . A wonderful character piece.” –
Kirkus
 
“[A] spirited historical adventure . . . Caldecott Medalist Small’s expressive, humorous b&w illustrations infuse the narrative with further personality.” –
Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library, and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. Betsy reviews for
Kirkus, served on the 2007 Newbery Award committee, and her children’s literature blog, A Fuse #8 Production, is hosted by
School Library Journal. Her books include
Funny Girl, an anthology of humorous stories, and the picture books
Giant Dance Party and
The Great Santa Stakeout. Betsy was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband and offspring. Visit her at her blog, a Fuse #8 Production on slj.com, or follow her on twitter @FuseEight.

David Small won the Caldecott Medal in 2001 for
So You Want to Be President and received two Caldecott honor awards. He is the author/illustrator of
Imogene’s Antlers,
Ruby Mae Has Something to Say, and
Stitches, a graphic novel memoir, which was a National Book Award finalist. He lives with his wife in Michigan in the very house in which
Long Walk to the Circus is set. Visit him online at davidsmallbooks.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

One 
“Strongest grip in a girl I’ve ever saw,” Daddy said, not without some pride. 
I looked down at my palms, rubbed raw where earlier I’d clung to the elm tree in our front yard with my no-good, stinking brother Bill pulling on my leg to get me down. He’d called me in for mealtime and I didn’t want to jump to obey his word, so there’