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.