Oh what a circus! Oh what a show!

I've just finished reading 'Flying Tips for Flightless Birds' the debut novel by my writing pal Kelly McCaughrain, published by Walker books. And Roddy Doyle is right - it really does sparkle. The young adult novel is set in a circus school in Belfast and features twins, Finch and Birdie Franconi as it's main protagonists. Their family circus school is facing closure and they have to come up with a plan for how they can save the school.

I love the title - it's very apt to the story on a number of levels. There is excellent storytelling and great characters emerge as the story develops. Granny Lou is a gem, along with Kitty and the Bond girls and trainee clown Hector Hazzard. There's great drama when Birdie is no longer able to perform her trapeze stunts and everyone rallies round to put on the show, though up until the last minute it's still not clear if it will go ahead as planned. I love Birdie's blogposts - they are clever on a number of levels and enable her to have a voice throughout the story.

As well as enjoying the novel, I'm delighted that Kelly has agreed that I can be Finch and Birdie's honorary auntie - but you have to read the book to understand why!