Watch Out for Flying Kids

August 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-Levinson brings together the story of nine young people of different backgrounds, religions, races, and socioeconomic status who all share a common love-the circus. Circus Harmony in St. Louis, MO-a city known for its racial turbulence-is made up of both black and white and inner-city and suburban youth. Readers meet Kellin Quinn Hentoff-Killian, who has been around the circus since he was an infant and who mastered the art of juggling as a toddler while watching his older siblings. Kellin's mother, Jessica Hentoff, is the artistic and executive director of Circus Harmony, a nonprofit that teaches kids circus skills with the goal of encouraging them to learn cooperation, develop perseverance, and meet and befriend those from different backgrounds. The book also focuses on the Galilee Circus in Israel, directed by Marc Rosenstein and one of the few places in the country where Arab and Jewish youth could come together. Hentoff and Rosenstein decided that these two cultural ambassador circuses should meet. With sidebars and easy-to-read short vignettes, this book nevertheless packs in a lot of information. The accompanying photos break up the dense text, but readers may prefer to approach the book in small doses. More inspiring than investigative, this title may find more of an audience among adults looking for ways to motivate youth. VERDICT Suitable for larger libraries with multicultural or inspirational collections.-Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
Welcome to a particular type of circus-where the child performers may just change the world "one acrobat, contortionist, and flyer at a time." The mission of a youth social circus is to bring together young people who don't ordinarily meet and to teach them to work together as circus performers. The young performers of Circus Harmony in St. Louis and the Galilee Circus in Israel demonstrate what happens when people of different backgrounds work together to perform-to "fly above the fray" and "walk the tightrope of politics and friendships." Levinson expertly establishes the historical context behind the circuses-the legacy of racial segregation in St. Louis and the troubled history of Arabs and Jews in Palestine-and shows that, in spite of the world around them, "Jews and Arabs...blacks, whites, Muslims, Christians-all kids-can get along. And that circus is an especially enchanting means in which to do so." The text itself is a juggling act as she follows nine young performers, two circus directors, and the coaches in telling the story, based on 120 hours of personal interviews. Color photographs, sidebars, and a lengthy pronunciation guide to Arabic and Hebrew names, words, and expressions used in the text round out a thoroughly enjoyable volume. Enchanting indeed-and inspiring as well. (Nonfiction. 9-14)

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June 1, 2015
Grades 5-8 Social circus exists as a way to provide a positive, safe environment for kids of different backgrounds to come together as a unified troupe. This book looks at two such youth circusesone in the United States (the St. Louis Arches), the other in Israel (the Galilee Circus)to tell the story of how a shared passion can change lives. After presenting the origin of both circuses, Levinson profiles the founders and troupe members, highlighting racial diversity and the socioeconomic challenges facing many involved. A good deal of Israel's cultural and political history is covered, but readers will be most interested in the descriptions of acrobatics, juggling, contortion, and aerial acts. When the two groups begin traveling and performing together as the Galilee Arches, their mission of unification is taken to a new level. This inspirational story easily lends itself to classroom use, as it encompasses a broad spectrum of values and subjects. Ample photos, an Arabic and Hebrew pronunciation guide, and youth-circus resources round out the text.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)