For children discovering who they are and finding courage in their unique path, this Victorian tale explores family, belonging, and the magic of the circus.
A parent should reach for this book when their child feels caught between two worlds or is hesitant to share what makes their family unique. Based on the true story of Pablo Fanque, a Black circus proprietor in Victorian England, the novel follows his son, Ted. Ted attends a formal boarding school and hides his vibrant circus life from his friends, feeling he must choose one identity over the other. This story beautifully explores themes of self-confidence, belonging, and the courage it takes to embrace your whole self. It's an excellent choice for starting conversations about identity, family pride, and finding strength in being different, all wrapped in an exciting historical adventure.
Protagonist experiences loneliness, shame, and identity struggles.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with identity and the feeling of being an outsider. It also addresses the racism and classism of Victorian England in a direct but age-appropriate way. Characters express prejudice against Ted for his race and his family's circus background. The resolution is hopeful, as Ted finds strength and community by embracing his heritage, and his true friends accept him for who he is.
Ideal Reader
An 8-11 year old who feels pulled between different social groups, cultures, or family expectations. It's perfect for a child who is just beginning to navigate social pressures and might feel shy or insecure about what makes their family different. Also, an excellent choice for a young reader interested in history who is looking for a story from a non-traditional perspective.
Parent Prep
A brief conversation about Victorian England could be helpful context, especially explaining that Pablo Fanque was a real, successful Black entertainer from that era. Parents should be prepared to discuss the instances of prejudice and classism depicted in the book, using them as a chance to talk about fairness and history. No specific scenes require pre-reading, it can be read cold. A parent observes their child being reluctant to invite friends over, or hears them say something like, "Why can't our family be normal?" The child may be engaging in code-switching or hiding parts of their home life or culture out of fear of being judged by peers.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely focus on the adventure, the fun of the circus setting, and the conflict with the villain. They'll connect to the idea of having a secret, exciting life. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the nuanced themes of identity, social pressure, racism, and class structure. They will understand the depth of Ted's internal struggle and the courage required for his self-acceptance.
What Makes It Special
This book's most unique quality is its perspective. It's a historical fiction set in Victorian England centered on a Black protagonist, whose story is based on a real historical figure. This provides a crucial and rarely seen viewpoint, moving beyond the typical narratives of the era and combining it with the timeless, kid-friendly appeal of a circus adventure.
Read plot summary
The story follows Ted, the son of the real-life Black Victorian circus owner, Pablo Fanque. Ted attends a boarding school and feels ashamed of his family's profession, trying to keep his two lives separate. He admires the upper-class world of his school friend and feels torn about his future. When a rival circus owner threatens his family's livelihood through sabotage and scheming, Ted must embrace his circus heritage and use skills from both his worlds to help save the family business, ultimately finding pride in his unique identity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ted tries to keep his school life and his circus life separate. Why do you think he was afraid to tell his friends about his family? Have you ever felt like you had to hide a part of yourself to fit in?
2
At the beginning, Ted thinks Mr. Maynard's school offers a 'better life' than the circus. How does his idea of a 'better life' change by the end of the story? What does he learn is most important?
3
Pablo Fanque, Ted's father, was a real historical person. How does knowing this is based on a true story change how you feel about Ted's journey and his family's accomplishments?
4
Ted uses skills from both his school education (like writing letters) and his circus life to solve problems. Can you think of a time when you used different skills you learned from different places to figure something out?
