Flor and Miranda Steal the Show

March 1, 2018

Gr 3-6-Narrated in the first person and alternating the perspectives of two 11-year-old girls, Flor and Miranda, this story takes place in the course of one day at a traveling carnival where the girls' families work. Flor's father runs the Maldonado Petting Zoo, which barely ekes out a living, while her mother must live apart to sustain them through other work. Miranda is the lead singer in her siblings' band, "Miranda y Los Reyes." After hearing the carnival owner muse about cutting the zoo to raise the band's salary, Flor sets out on a mission to prevent Miranda from a successful first performance on the main stage. The two meet and spend a day filled with stomach-churning carnival foods and fast-moving rides, and their growing friendship is tested when Flor's true motives are revealed. The protagonists' voices are very similar, which might create confusion for intermediate readers, despite visual clues as to who is narrating each chapter, namely, titles with the protagonists' names, the time of day, and analog clock images representing the time. VERDICT A wide range of middle grade readers are likely to see aspects of themselves in both Flor and Miranda. A solid secondary purchase.-Ruth Quiroa, National Louis University, Lisle, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2018
The bright lights and screaming laughter of the carnival midway are not all they are cracked up to be for two young women hoping to help support their families on the fair circuit.Flor Maldonado and Miranda "Randy" Reyes share much in common. Both are Latina, both feel the pressure to help their families financially, and both call the road home as members of the Barsetti & Son All American Extravaganza traveling carnival. With so much in common, fast friendship would seem likely, but their goals are at odds. Flor discovers that success for Miranda and her family's band on the main stage might spell the end of the road for her family's petting zoo, as Mr. Barsetti cannot afford to keep both attractions on the tour. The first-person narrative shifts between Flor and Miranda chapter by chapter. Their voices and motivations are so similar, especially early on, that it may take readers a beat or two to recognize the change in perspective. Though the plot is a fairly straightforward one, the explorations of Flor's and Miranda's inner turmoil shine, providing windows into a unique lifestyle that feels authentic. Readers cannot help but root for both heroines, who feel like two regular girls with universal struggles despite their uncommon circumstances.Feelings of summer fun and smells of funnel cake will follow readers home from this engaging story of family and friendship. (Fiction. 8-12)

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April 23, 2018
Eleven-year-olds Flor and Miranda both help out with their families’ acts at a traveling carnival: Miranda sings in a ranchera band with her siblings, and Flor helps out in her own family’s petting zoo. But while Miranda’s star is on the rise (the band has just been given an opportunity to perform at the center stage), interest in the petting zoo is dwindling. In fact, Flor overhears Miranda’s father ask for a raise, and when he’s told that another act would need to be cut to cover the cost, he suggests axing the petting zoo. This triggers the novel’s daylong adventure, during which Flor, playing tour guide, tries to prevent Miranda from performing in order to blow the band’s shot at center stage. Meanwhile, Miranda grapples with her desire to sing a song that she, not her dad, has chosen. From the fried-pickle stand to the Cloud Chaser swing ride, the spot-on details in this lively, fast-paced adventure help bring readers into the intriguing life of carnival workers, as well as the struggles both girls face living on the road. Lessons about friendship and standing up for oneself are organically woven into this entertaining romp. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

April 1, 2018
Grades 3-6 Flor's family's petting zoo, Rancho Maldonado, has been a part of the carnival for years, while Miranda's family and her band, Miranda y Los Reyes, have just started out. Miranda's family's band is pulling in such huge crowds that Flor's family's petting zoo, whose numbers are dwindling, might get dropped. Distraught, Flor decides to try to sabotage Miranda's act, but as the two girls spend more time together, they not only find friendship but also realize what is truly most important to them. Flor's and Miranda's unique voices are presented in alternating chapters, which detail the challenges they both have endured and the sacrifices they each have made. Flor and Miranda both have hopes and dreams and must deal with the difficulties of getting their loved ones to understand them, but they also gradually come face-to-face with the reasons why their families have to make certain choices. Readers will enjoy getting to know both protagonists and will root for them till the last page.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)