Once Lizzie escapes from drunken, thieving Pa's greedy grasp and stumbles upon Fitzy's Traveling Circus, a new world opens for her. There she finds death-defying high-wire acts, acrobats on horseback, trained elephants, and, most important of all, a welcoming community for a young runaway. Well, fortuneteller Madame Aurora is not so welcoming after Lizzie replaces her. But Lizzie has a gift of visions, and so she begins to solve the mystery of the Phantom burglar-mugger who is terrorizing London. Expect plenty of action and suspense, especially when Lizzie and her young circus cohorts try to track down the evildoer. The surprise twist at the end piles on the melodrama, yet Lockwood's vivid rendering of the circus pageant against the backdrop of London's dicey nineteenth-century street life grabs readers. The author also weaves in elements of class tension between a populace happy to be entertained while looking down on lower-status entertainers. Lizzie will be back for more big-top escapades in this new series.- Anne O'Malley * Booklist *
...a twisty mystery that will keep pages turning until the book's finale. Surprises abound as this mystery works its way out. Middle-grade readers will gobble up this delicious little novel, with its admirable protagonist and the fascinating crew of Fitzy's Traveling Circus, who take her in. - Kirkus * Kirkus *
After escaping an abusive parent and the slums of 19th century London, Lizzie joins a traveling circus. Here she discovers that she has true psychic powers. While doing a psychic reading, Lizzie discovers clues that may solve the mystery of the local phantom, a thief that has been terrorizing London. When the phantom discovers Lizzie may lead to his downfall, he comes after her. The action is fast-paced, the characters are realistic, and good descriptions keep the reader engaged. The first in a series, this book will have students anxiously awaiting the sequel. Recommended-Susan Boatwright, Teacher-Librarian, Prairie Crest Elementary, Cedar Rapids, Iowa * Library Media Connection *
