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GIVEAWAY & BLOG TOUR: Short Circus by Stephen V. Masse (Book Review 2010-96)

By 50 Comments

Product Description

Back to school, but not so fast! Jem Lockwood’s first assignment is to write a composition on what he did during the summer, and he tells the teacher he could write a book. Short Circus is Jem’s own story about his remarkable adventures with his Big Brother, Jesse Standish, and a host of neighbors and friends, plus a mysterious enemy who keeps sabotaging the swimming pond. There are bike jumping contests, fistfights, motorbikes, visits to seaside towns for festivals, and swimming in a waterfall. What begins as a glorious summer is very nearly ruined when Jem discovers that his Big Brother’s rented house is about to be sold, and Jesse Standish may be forced to move away.

About the Author

Stephen V. Masse was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote his first practice novel at age 13, handwritten into a school composition book. Educated at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he studied creative writing, and was author of a weekly newspaper column, “Out of Control”. His first novel for children, Shadow Stealer was published by Dillon Press in 1988. Short Circus is his second novel for chldren. In addition to children’s books, Masse has written A Jolly Good Fellow, winner of the Silver Medal in the 2008 Independent Publisher Book Awards, as well as honorable mention in the 2008 New England Book Festival for best books of the holiday season.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 184 pages
  • Publisher: Good Harbor Press (March 15, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0615320570
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615320571

SOURCE:  AUTHOR

LIKED IT

This is a wonderful book that should interest boys which are a hard target to hit.  I enjoyed the first person accounts of Jem, a twelve year old boy, whom you can tell doesn’t have the easiest life and it doesn’t get him down.  The story delves into his relationship with his Big Brother, Jesse and how Jem helps him cope with the issues of losing a home and being a good person.  Jesse doesn’t have the easiest life either and it is great to see this relationship develop.

I think this can safely be read by children from 10 years and up since it really goes in to detail about consequences of your actions.  There is a lot of important issues mentioned and they are dealt with in a non-preachy manor.  It truly is told with the voice of a twelve year old boy. This really reminded me of a combination of the Hardy Boys and Tom Sawyer.  This is a  great book for summer reading.

WANT TO WIN MY COPY OF THIS BOOK?

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Contest is open to anyone with a US mailing address (PO Boxes ARE ok!)
Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 7.1.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen

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Comments

  3. says

    I was thinking as I was reading that it would make a great book for boys over the summer. So important to keep them reading! Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  7. says

    His other novel, A Jolly Good Fellow, looks good too. The description reminds me of The Ransom of Red Chief, where there is an adult not sure of how to run a kidnapping.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  24. says

    I found your review to be intriguing and one that I would take pleasure in reading.

    Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  50. says

    tradingbooks2009 has won my copy of Short Circus….

    Thanks to all who entered.
    An email has been sent to the winner and they have 48 hours to respond with a mailing address or another winner will be chosen.

    Reply

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