The Circus of Stolen Dreams
on Goodreads (809)
What’s inside...
A dream world turns haunting nightmare in this spellbinding debut novel, perfect for fans of Circus Mirandus and The Night Gardener. After Andrea's brother, Francis, disappeared, everything changed. Her world turned upside down, and there was nothing she could do to right it. So when she discovers a magical dream world called Reverie in the woods near her home, Andrea jumps at the chance to escape her pain and go inside. But the cost of admission is high: Andrea must give up a memory in order to enter. And she knows exactly which memory she'd like to give up. Once inside, Andrea discovers tent after tent of dreams come alive; she can fly on a gust of wind, brave swashbuckling pirates and search for buried treasure, reach for--and wish on--a tangible star, and much, much more. But Andrea soon realizes that not all of Reverie's dreams are meant to delight, and the Sandman behind the circus tents seems to have plans of his own. When Andrea finds a tent in which her brother's darkest nightmare has been brought to life, she realizes the dark truth: Reverie is not an escape; it's a trap. Will Andrea and her new friend Penny have what it takes to find Francis, figure out what's really going on in Reverie, and break free from this nightmarish dream world? A wonderfully inventive, deliciously creepy debut novel that is sure to linger in readers' minds long after the last thrilling page has been turned.
Age
10-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Andrea
Sandman
Discussion points
How did the concept of dreams and nightmares make you feel while reading the book?
Why do you think the characters reacted the way they did to their stolen dreams?
What would you do if you were in Andrea's place and found the circus?
How do Andrea's feelings about her brother change throughout the story and why?
What does the circus teach us about facing and overcoming our fears?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own dreams; ask if they've had a dream they remember well and discuss it.
Discuss the motivations of characters like Andrea and Mr. Weaver to understand different perspectives and help your child build empathy.
Use examples from the book to talk about handling difficult emotions and the importance of confronting instead of avoiding fears.
Highlight scenes within the circus that sparked emotions, asking your child what they felt during those moments to foster emotional awareness.
Ask your child to imagine their own magical world like the circus in the story. Discuss what it would contain and what adventures they might experience there.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of confronting and processing grief
Explanation: In 'The Circus of Stolen Dreams', the protagonist, Andrea, enters a magical circus to escape the pain of her brother’s disappearance. Throughout her journey, she learns that facing her sorrow is necessary for healing.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that it's okay to feel sad and that dealing with their emotions is a part of healing, rather than avoiding them which can be applied when they experience loss or major changes in life.
Example Lesson: Resilience and courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: Andrea demonstrates resilience as she tackles various challenges within the circus to find her brother and confront the sinister forces.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of perseverance and bravery when encountering obstacles, encouraging them to tackle their own challenges with determination.
Example Lesson: The power of hope and imagination
Explanation: The circus in the story, created from the dreams of children, symbolizes how hope and creativity can create magical experiences even in tough times.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use their imagination as a powerful tool to overcome difficulties and envision positive outcomes, promoting creative problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Understanding empathy and the experiences of others
Explanation: Andrea meets various characters in the circus, each dealing with their own struggles, teaching her to understand and empathize with different perspectives.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop empathy by recognizing emotions in others and understanding that everyone has unique challenges, fostering a more compassionate approach to relationships.