The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom

Gr 4–7—Since Lizzie Brown's mother and brother passed away, she has been surviving in a horrendous situation. Her lazy father has become more abusive and spends more time drunk than ever before. Lizzie hates living as a beggar, and she is determined to do something about it. When her father hears this, he threatens Lizzie for the last time, and she makes a break for it into the streets of London. There, she encounters Fitzy's Traveling Circus and is determined to do whatever it takes to join them. Lizzie quickly falls into step with the circus performers, most of whom are happy to add her to their rag tag group. The girl discovers that she has the power to see into the future and possibly even prevent crimes, like those of the masked Phantom who has been plaguing London. While the story is fun and the circus life is a draw, Lizzie's ability to abandon her father without a second thought seems a bit far-fetched. The protagonist and her closest companions are well depicted, but some of the characters come across as flat. The phantom story is mentioned at the beginning of the novel but is mostly abandoned until the end, while Lockwood lays the groundwork for Lizzie's integration to circus life. Readers who are looking for a mystery to keep them guessing will probably be a bit disappointed at the lengthy setup, but those more drawn to the historical fiction and the circus aspect will certainly enjoy this offering.—Ellen Norton, White Oak Library District, Crest Hill, IL