P. T. Barnum: The World's Greatest Showman - Hardcover

Grade 6-9-In spite of occasional awkward transitions and unclear pronoun antecedents, Fleming's account of the man who was always on the lookout for a money-making scheme is fast-paced and engaging. While the book is essentially a chronological coverage of Barnum's life, the chapters that relate his exploitation of, and relationship with, General Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind are especially interesting. Some of the black-and-white reproductions are of poor quality but are well placed; research value is weakened by the use of quotations without citations or sources. Coverage and information are essentially the same as in Ann Tompert's The Greatest Show on Earth (Dillon, 1987; o.p.), but Fleming's book has a slightly more sophisticated vocabulary.
Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5-8. Fleming does a fine job of presenting P.ÿ20T. Barnum, America's circus showman, providing many insights into his character. She begins with his childhood, then takes a look at several of his careers (he preferred using his wits rather than his hands), each of which increased his wealth. In one intriguing episode, she describes how Barnum's purchase of a New York museum taught him the value of using superlative adjectives to entice people to buy entry tickets. A readable, interesting choice that should appeal to anyone with a love of the circus or things flamboyant. Patricia Braun