SuitabookPoverty, wealth and social position
The circus community is living through the Great Depression, while Kit and Rosina are each described as escaping different economic circumstances.
Loading your next page
Book details
Belinda Murrell - Author
A historical adventure with a strong mystery engine: an unusual brooch opens a path into 1932, where circus friendships, a rescue mission and questions about identity draw Claire into the story.
In an exciting timeslip tale, Claire finds an old trunk filled with her grandmother's treasures, including an old star-shaped brooch covered in sequinsWhy does Claire's wealthy grandmother own such a cheap piece of jewelry? The mystery deepens when the brooch hurtles Claire back in time to 1932. Australia is in the grip of the Great Depression and people seek distraction from their problems through entertainment. There's the famous horse Phar Lap, cricket hero Don Bradman, and then there are circuses. Claire finds herself stranding in the camp of the Sterling Brothers Circus. Rescued by Princess Rosina, a beautiful trick rider, Claire is given a job in the camp kitchen. Life is hard, but she makes friends with Rosina and Jem, and a boy named Kit who comes to the circus night after night to watch Rosina perform. When Kit is kidnapped by a fanatical political group, it's up to Claire, Rosina, and Jem to save him. But Claire is starting to wonder just who Kit and Rosina really are. One is escaping poverty and the other is escaping wealth -- can the two find happiness together?
Book Brief
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceA historical adventure with a strong mystery engine: an unusual brooch opens a path into 1932, where circus friendships, a rescue mission and questions about identity draw Claire into the story.
The circus community is living through the Great Depression, while Kit and Rosina are each described as escaping different economic circumstances.
Claire joins the circus camp, works in its kitchen and becomes friends with Rosina, Jem and Kit.
The brooch links Claire to her grandmother’s treasures, while Claire questions who Kit and Rosina really are.
Kidnapping, hardship and a fanatical political group are central pressures. Consider whether the reader would value discussing danger and inequality alongside the story’s friendships and adventurous momentum.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: the current material supports only a cautious reading; another book-specific source is still needed.
Book information
Limited information
Anything not established here remains open; it is not being treated as absent or safe.