The close-knit Burr Oak community is difficult to escape; almost no one leaves the rural Michigan neighborhood, and those who do leave eventually return, like Suzy's wayward uncle Fred. Twelve-year-old Suzy loves her deeply rooted family and friends, but she secretly dreams of setting off to see the world. After noticing her uncle's frequent absences from their farm and tailing him at sunrise, Suzy is astonished to discover that he's been working for a local circus legend, the extraordinary Madame Marantette--and with her flock of ostriches! Suzy begs to be included, and as her relationship with Madame Marantette deepens, Suzy wonders if her new human (and feathered) friends may be a ticket to a different kind of life. The sunny story seems delightfully far-fetched, but Madame Marantette was a real person (ostrich photos are included), and Bud, her horse trainer, is a fascinating amalgamation of her actual trainer and a successful Black jockey. This unconventional tale is a hoot and an encouraging call to live an adventurous life on one's own terms.

A farm girl learns to ride an ostrich. The year is 1920, and the place is Burr Oak, Michigan. Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles has grown a bit tired of her small-town life, working her father's farm with her siblings. She feels an itch to explore the world, but no one in her family encourages her to give that itch a scratch. When Fred, Suzy's ne'er-do-well uncle, moves back to the farm only to skip out on his chores every morning, Suzy decides to follow him to figure out what he's doing with his time. This leads her to legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her amazing ostriches. It doesn't take long for Suzy to become wrapped up in the world of traveling entertainers; a spark is lit within her to grab on tight to this ticket out of Burr Oak. Readers will find Suzy an engaging protagonist, feeling simultaneously thoroughly contemporary and classic in a story whose narrative arc is well-crafted. Suzy's itch to leave the farm is balanced by an earnest appreciation for those who are contented to stay behind--the author makes it clear that what's good for them isn't exactly good for Suzy, and there's no fault or shame on anyone's plate. Small's energetic illustrations are expressive and humorous, vividly evoking the time and setting. Main characters default to White. (Note: Bird is a freelance contributor to Kirkus.) A wonderful character piece. (historical notes) (Historical fiction. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this spirited historical adventure set in 1920, tenacious 12-year-old narrator Suzy Bowles longs for a life beyond her farm in small-town Burr Oak, Mich., and finds purpose under the tutelage of a former circus queen. Using a colloquial first-person narration, Bird (The Great Santa Stakeout) effectively portrays Suzy's longing for a larger life, and her curiosity as she follows her recently returned, purportedly "deadbeat" uncle Fred to his secret job with the nearby Madame Marantette, a former circus performer who is attempting to train her ostrich Gaucho to pull a carriage alongside a horse. Tension and comedy escalate as Suzy volunteers to ride cantankerous Gaucho, and Madame invites Suzy to weekly teas for lessons in comportment. Caldecott Medalist Small's expressive, humorous b&w illustrations infuse the narrative with further personality. All characters cue as white, and an author's note chronicles the life of the actual Madame Marantette who inspired the novel. Ages 10--up. Author's agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)