Son of the Circus: A Victorian Story
by E L Norry, illustrated by Alette Straathof
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 10+
Published by Scholastic, 2019
About this book
Ted is a 12-year-old boy living with his mother and brother in South Yorkshire in 1867. But his whole world is flipped upside down when a man rolls into town, announcing himself as Ted’s father and a well-respected circus owner, looking to get his son involved in the family business of horse tricks and acrobatics.
Based on real people and historical events, Son of the Circus is a tale of triumph, perseverance, fitting in and standing out in a crowd. With a real feel of Victorian Britain, the story deals delicately with the experience of being a person of colour in the latter part of the 19th century, and delights readers with the intricacies of circus life.
A perfect read for history buffs, as well as those wanting a sneak peek behind the curtain of circus life. Additionally, it’s a great story for all about overcoming adversity and finding your own unique talent.
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Lists of recommended reads
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Books set in Victorian times
These fiction books are all set in the nineteenth century, and are suitable for ages 7-11. They provide an insight into Victorian lives, shining a light on different aspects of society, with settings as varied as Cardiff, London and a travelling circus. They are all realistic stories.
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Children's books set in Yorkshire
If you live in or are from Yorkshire (or just going there on your holidays), you may be looking for books set there to share with your child. After all, a familiar location can sometimes help them relate to the story and feel a bigger connection. Here are just a few of our favourites for you to check out.
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Black History Month
For Black History Month we have put together a booklist of historical stories from Black History around the world.
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Books set in the North of England
Northern England is rich in landscape, culture and history – and that has inspired some incredible stories. If you live in or are from the North (or just going for your holidays), you may be looking for books set there to share with your child. After all, a familiar location can help them relate to the story and feel a bigger connection. Here are just a few of our favourites for you to check out.