Ephemia Rimaldi is an irrepressible girl thrust into challenging circumstances. Effy's Great-aunt Ada has died, and her other relatives, a committee of vultures, are bent on stealing her education trust fund for themselves. Twelve-year-old Effy's only hope is to locate her long lost poppa—who has control of her fortune—before time runs out. But Phineas Rimaldi, the ringmaster of a travelling circus, seems an unlikely ally. Can Effy dazzle the ringmaster so he'll help her save her trust fund and her new friend—a circus elephant?
Set on the eve of the 20th century, when female performers were one of the earliest groups to demand equal pay for equal work, this historical adventure offers important themes for today's readers. The suffragist movement and early circus life serve as a backdrop for a feisty heroine who champions equality for all.
Linda DeMeulemeester is the author of many notable middle grade books, including the best-selling Grim Hill series which includes The Secret of Grim Hill, a Silver Birch winner. Linda has worked in the fields of literacy and education for many years as a teacher and program advisor. She lives in British Columbia.
"Ephemia Rimaldi is a wonderful mix of adventure (Let's run away with the circus!), mystery (WHERE is the cursed sapphire?), and historical novel (?Circus workers were one of the first groups to demand equal pay for equal work?).
"I'm loath to add the word "educational" to the mix, as that seems just too dry for this bit of fun. But as with all my favourite reads as a young person, I always appreciated those I learned from, especially when the learning was absorbed with a spoonful of story-sugar.
"Ephemia Rimaldi illustrates friendship and connection, not to mention valuing and honouring others."
— The British Columbia Review
"Linda Demeulemeester explores many interesting topics in this novel, including: feminism, suffrage for women, protest movements, circus life, grief, education, family relationships, friendship, animal rights, and courage. Ephemia Rimaldi: Circus Performer Extraordinaire has a powerful message for readers, "Everyone needed to be listened to and respected, not just people in refined society."
Highly Recommended"
— CM Magazine
On the 2024 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
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