Posts By: Giselle

Having been a big fan of Water for Elephants, I’ve since had a liking for books revolving around the circus, so That Time I Joined the Circus had me instantly intrigued by its title alone. Although it is much different from Water for Elephants; where that book is dark and dangerous, this one is light and cute, I found a similar kind of adoration for it nonetheless. Moreover, the magic of the circus, while less vibrant than the intensely atmospheric Water for Elephants, is present through a different light in this friendship-filled modern day traveling circus venture.

Lexi has always been kind of a loner. She has a couple of very close friends with whom she’s had a falling out with, thus finding herself alone when her father dies. Her situation is undoubtedly sad and very easy to relate to. Even if you’re far from ever having been in such a situation, she has that kind of loneliness that I’m sure we all experienced once or twice during our teens. When she gets hired in the circus, she has to adapt to foreign place and situations that she never thought she’d find herself in and we really see some big character growth happening in the story. She’s a determined and strong soul that I easily found myself rooting for through and through. In a situation where a lot of people would have broken down, she did what had to be done; I commend her for it! 

Friendship and family play the biggest parts in this story, with a setting that brings about a unique and exotic atmosphere filled with lights, magic, and music, and a young girl who truly finds herself, in the middle of it all.