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Twelve-year-old Owen and his eight-year-old brother, Zach, have been left at The Home for Destitute and Friendless Youth in Pittsburg, PA. While there, the boys prepare for a trip west on the orphan train. But Owen feels Zach might fare better on his own and comes up with a plan. After seeing his brother safely aboard the train, Owen sneaks away.
Wandering the streets, Owen follows a crowd to a gigantic ship with a circus inside. Solomon, a free black deckhand, sneaks Owen aboard for a peek at the show. Caught without a ticket, the boy is brought before Lord Hathaway, the money-hungry owner. Solomon agrees to take Owen on as an assistant to pay off the debt. It is the beginning of a new life for the homeless child, who now finds a different kind of family amid the strange circus troupe. When Yellow Fever, a damaging storm, and slave catchers threaten to take it all away, Caleb must make some difficult decisions.
The Floating Circus is a fascinating read. Including many interesting facts and anecdotes regarding circus history, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer spins an enticing tale of loss and hardship befitting the times; there is no happily ever after here. In fact, I felt somewhat cheated as the ending arrived, leaving many loose ends. But, then, maybe that is Zimmer’s strategy. She has, no doubt, left enough questions in Owen’s account to leave her readers wanting more. Could there be a sequel planned?
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The Floating Circus