This was a load of fun. The story Poppy Tomato Pym had always heard about her past was that the magician in the circus had pulled her from his hat. The Circus is her life, her family, but she's 11 and she has an offer of a school scholarship to a boarding school and her family aren't about to say no.

She's not prepared for it and they're not prepared for her but she has to adapt and her friends Kip and Ingrid help. When an Egyptian exhibit starts in the school and one of the main exhibits, a ruby that is reputed to be cursed goes missing, Poppy has to investigate.

The story deals with the plausability of the whole thing well, glosses over some details and occasionally implies real magic but without being heavy-handed about it all. It dealt with homesickness and found family and it was a hoot. The illustrations also add to the story. ( )

a wonderful mix of school story mixed with the fun of the circus and the mystery of Ancient Egypt and a curse. Action packed with a great heroine, this is only the start of a series I hope? ( )