Cirque Du FreakCirque Du Freak

Author: Darren ShanAuthor: Darren ShanDate published: 2003Date published: 2003Type of book: Fiction Type of book: Fiction

Report by Johnell Nemons IIReport by Johnell Nemons IIOctober 31, 2011 Ms. Brown Per 4October 31, 2011 Ms. Brown Per 4

The SettingThe Setting

Cirque Du Freak is a series of books. This is Cirque Du Freak is a series of books. This is the first book of twelve. The author takes the first book of twelve. The author takes us back to the year of 1995. The author us back to the year of 1995. The author keeps the setting mysterious. What we do keeps the setting mysterious. What we do know is the story takes place in one of the know is the story takes place in one of the four islands in Japan. Most of the story four islands in Japan. Most of the story takes place in the main character’s house. takes place in the main character’s house. The two-story midnight blue house has The two-story midnight blue house has two doors, five windows and is in the two doors, five windows and is in the suburbs. suburbs.

CharactersCharacters Darren is the main character of the book. His hair brown-black is combed Darren is the main character of the book. His hair brown-black is combed

down over his forehead and stops right his eyes. The novel does not tell down over his forehead and stops right his eyes. The novel does not tell how tall, but the pictures in the book shows he is average height and how tall, but the pictures in the book shows he is average height and Darren is a fifth grader who is loves spiders.Darren is a fifth grader who is loves spiders.

Steve is the main character’s best friend. His hair is blonde all around his Steve is the main character’s best friend. His hair is blonde all around his really isn't blonde it is natural brown. Steve is in the fifth grade also and really isn't blonde it is natural brown. Steve is in the fifth grade also and knows a lot about vampires.knows a lot about vampires.

Annie is Darren’s younger sister. Her hair is always in pig tails and is Annie is Darren’s younger sister. Her hair is always in pig tails and is blonde. Also she is in love with playing with her big brother. blonde. Also she is in love with playing with her big brother.

Mr. Cresply is a vampire, but only Steve knows this information because he Mr. Cresply is a vampire, but only Steve knows this information because he saw his face in the comic book he read. His hair is a little orange with saw his face in the comic book he read. His hair is a little orange with brown in it. Later on in the novel, Darren will become Mr. Cresply’s slave. brown in it. Later on in the novel, Darren will become Mr. Cresply’s slave. Mr. Cresply is always wearing a red captain's suit for his performance in the Mr. Cresply is always wearing a red captain's suit for his performance in the circus.circus.

The Plot – The ProblemThe Plot – The Problem

The plot tells us of Darren and Steve going to the The plot tells us of Darren and Steve going to the circus to see the show. Steve discovers Mr. circus to see the show. Steve discovers Mr. Crespsly in the circus and he realizes he is the Crespsly in the circus and he realizes he is the same Mr. Vur Horston in the comic book he same Mr. Vur Horston in the comic book he reads. Because Steve loves vampires, he wants reads. Because Steve loves vampires, he wants Mr. Crespsly to bite him and become a vampire. Mr. Crespsly to bite him and become a vampire. When the vampire bites Steve, he says that he When the vampire bites Steve, he says that he is evil and decides not to suck his blood. is evil and decides not to suck his blood.

Darren is Steve’s best friend and wants his friend Darren is Steve’s best friend and wants his friend to be happy and decides to steal Mr. Crespsly’ to be happy and decides to steal Mr. Crespsly’ spider. This is revenge on Mr. Crespsly. spider. This is revenge on Mr. Crespsly.

The Plot – The ResolutionThe Plot – The Resolution

Darren enjoyed having Mr. Crepsly's spider. He Darren enjoyed having Mr. Crepsly's spider. He even taught it tricks and how to dance when he even taught it tricks and how to dance when he played his flute. After having the spider for two played his flute. After having the spider for two weeks, he builds confidence to invite Steve over weeks, he builds confidence to invite Steve over to tell him about the spider. Mr. Crepsley finds to tell him about the spider. Mr. Crepsley finds Darren’s home to get his spider back and now Darren’s home to get his spider back and now he wants revenge on Darren. When the spider he wants revenge on Darren. When the spider bites Steve, Mr. Crepsley agrees to save bites Steve, Mr. Crepsley agrees to save Steve’s life, but Darren must now become a Steve’s life, but Darren must now become a vampire’s assistant. After a few hours, Darren vampire’s assistant. After a few hours, Darren finally agrees to become an assistant to save his finally agrees to become an assistant to save his best friend Steve. best friend Steve.

My OpinionMy Opinion

Wow! Wow!

What a great book! It was fascinating, What a great book! It was fascinating, adventurous, and mysterious. I thought adventurous, and mysterious. I thought the book was filled with love, friendship the book was filled with love, friendship and compassion.and compassion.

About Darren ShanAbout Darren Shan

Born July 2, 1972 and raised in London, Born July 2, 1972 and raised in London, England.England.

He attended college in New York.He attended college in New York.He has written a serious of Cirque Du He has written a serious of Cirque Du

Freaks novels.Freaks novels.He is a real life arachnid.He is a real life arachnid.His real name is Darren O’Shaughnessy.His real name is Darren O’Shaughnessy.

Test TimeTest Time

1. How does Darren take Mr. Crepsley 1. How does Darren take Mr. Crepsley spider?spider?

2. What do you call people who have a 2. What do you call people who have a love for spiders?love for spiders?

3. What is the setting of the story?3. What is the setting of the story?4. What are the ages of the main 4. What are the ages of the main

characters?characters?5. When were freak shows banned.5. When were freak shows banned.

SummarySummary

Cirque Du Freak is a great story between Cirque Du Freak is a great story between two boys who are best friends. They both two boys who are best friends. They both have different things they enjoy and one of have different things they enjoy and one of them is the circus. The story tells us of them is the circus. The story tells us of their adventure to the circus and what they their adventure to the circus and what they discover while they are there. One friend discover while they are there. One friend tries to save the other’s life and during this tries to save the other’s life and during this his life is changed forever. his life is changed forever.