The Blue Moon Circus by Michael Raleigh is a nostalgic look at life in a small American circus during the Great Depression. The story revolves around Lewis Tully and his rag-tag band of performers. The acrobats, wrestlers, animal trainers, riders, and magicians are a little long in the tooth and worn around the edges but able to amaze and entertain the simple small town folk whose towns they raise their tent in.
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Lewis had rolled up his tent for the last time until a judge orders him to go back on the road or face jail time for a gambling violation. Lewis rounds up the old gang, some new faces, an old flame, and his nine year old nephew, Charley. He must also try to avoid rival Hector Blainey and his larger circus show. The journey west has some unexpected twists and turns. In the end the show must go on and so must Tully.
The Blue Moon Circus could be a child's story of hopes and dreams filled with the magical allure of running away to join the circus, if not for the more adult themes that run throughout. The story is well-crafted and fast-paced full of villains, bad luck, romance, hard work, sweat, and grime.
The review of this Book prepared by David Fletcher
