The Story of Cirrus Flux

Gr 4—7—Twelve-year-old orphan Cirrus Flux has spent his entire life in a foundling hospital with no knowledge of his parents. He spends his days in the nearby fields with his best friend and dreams of being selected for an apprenticeship. Meanwhile, Pandora, a girl from the same hospital, is sent to work for the frightening mesmerist Madame Orrery. She soon discovers that Madame is after Cirrus Flux who unknowingly possesses a mysterious substance known as the Breath of God which was left to him by his seaman father. Pandora sets off to warn Cirrus, and the book soon turns into a wild race across London with a variety of intriguing characters battling to get to Cirrus first. This fast-paced, action-packed tale (Delacorte, 2010) by Matthew Skelton is set in 1783. Jon Smith's narration does a nice job of reflecting that tempo. He also adeptly gives convincing and unique voices to the large cast of characters. Athough listeners will be left wondering what power the Breath of God possesses and why so many people wanted it, this breathless adventure will satisfy most listeners.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT