The Night Circus
- Genre: Fiction; historical fantasy
- Originally Published: 2011
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 950L; college/adult
- Structure/Length: 5 parts; approx. 391 pages; approx. 13 hours, 40 minutes on audio
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: Celia and Marco, two young magicians with Le Cirque des Rêves, are locked in a fierce competition where there can be only one winner. When they fall in love, they set off a series of events that have dangerous consequences for everyone involved.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Child abuse, suicide, death of a parent, animal death, fantasy violence, alcoholism, physical abuse
Erin Morgenstern, Author
- Bio: Born in 1978; American artist and author; studied theater and studio art at Smith College; created the Phantomwise tarot deck; was rejected by 30 literary agents before signing with Inkwell Management; has participated in National Novel Writing Month since 2003; lives in New York City
- Other Works: The Starless Sea (2019)
- Awards: Dragon Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2020); Alex Award (2012); Locus Award for Best First Novel (2012)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:
- The Passage of Time
- Good Versus Evil
- Free Will
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:
- Develop an understanding of the social and historical contexts regarding the concept of free will that impact Celia and Marco’s conflict.