Kirkus Reviews

P.T. Barnum is likely to bring to mind the famous circus, but there is much more to the legendary showman, and Fleming brings all of him boldly to life. Born into poverty, Barnum's love for money came at an early age; his first foray into entertainment was the purchase of Joice Heth, reputed to be a 161-year-old slave formerly owned by George Washington's father. When the hoax was revealed, Barnum's name became forever linked with humbug, but he discovered that people did not mind being fooled if they were entertained. The author takes readers on a riveting tour of Barnum's seemingly cursed American Museum, where they encounter such fascinating characters as Siamese twins Chang and Eng and the "Living Skeleton." Much as she admires her subject, she does not flinch in revealing Barnum's notable faults—his cruelty as a husband, indifference as a father, corrupting influence on the dwarf Tom Thumb and exploitation of animals and the deformities and handicaps of human "curiosities." Handsomely designed, the book is abundantly illustrated with circus posters and handbills, photographs, etchings and other visuals. As revealing as it is entertaining. (Biography. 10-14)

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

When the popular kids from Soundville High start disappearing, anxiety escalates in the rich and privileged town. This gleefully trashy teen thriller uses several narrative forms--including first person, third person, IMs, and blog posts--to deliver a spine-tingling (albeit absurd) plot about the search for a serial killer.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The life of showman Phineas Taylor Barnum gets show-stopping treatment in Fleming's (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">The Lincolns) latest biographical work. Presented as clever, resilient and ever-consumed with making a buck, the Barnum of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is brought to life in anecdotes over 11 chapters. Nicknamed “Tale” as a boy, he “hated farmwork” (“I was always ready to concoct fun, or lay plans for money-making, but hand-work was decidedly not in my line”). His personal struggles with alcohol and a less-than-happy marriage are detailed alongside his many public successes (and hoaxes). A tour of his famed American Museum and an account of a day at the circus (complete with descriptions of the human curiosities Barnum employed) set readers in the middle of the singular late 19th-century entertainment scene. As in a real circus, the large-format pages include plenty to grab readers' attention: white-on-black sidebars that put the entrepreneur's feats in context (“African Americans were barred from entering Barnum's American Museum except on certain days”), b&w photos and advertising posters. Audiences will step right up to this illuminating and thorough portrait of an entertainment legend. Ages 8–12. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Sept.)

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Starred Review In this sweeping yet cohesive biography, Fleming so finely tunes Barnum's legendary ballyhoo that you can practically hear the hucksterism and smell the sawdust. It's a quintessentially American tale: born poor in 1810, Phineas Taylor Barnum stormed through the nineteenth century as a small-time pitchman, museum founder, traveling exhibitionist, and finally, circus owner. Along the way he improvised (kick-starting his career with the impulsive purchase of a "161-year-old" slave), misled (a "mermaid" that was no more than creative taxidermy), and persevered through the kind of fiery calamities that would've squashed most men. Fleming lingers on Barnum's American Museum, guiding us through each exhibit as if we were the ones plunking down 25 cents to see the Swiss Bearded Lady or the Living Skeleton. Fleming doesn't shrink from the Prince of Humbug's dark side, either, painting him as a heavy drinker, a potential corrupter of the dwarf Tom Thumb (who was smoking cigars by age seven), and a cruel husband who hastily married a woman 40 years his junior. The material is inherently juicy, but credit Fleming's vivacious prose, bountiful period illustrations, and copious source notes for fashioning a full picture of one of the forbearers of modern celebrity.

School Library Journal (Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Gr 6 Up-It is unlikely that Barnum ever actually said "There's a sucker born every minute," but he freely admitted to being a master of the "humbug"a spectacle that both fooled and entertained the public. This highly readable biography uses primary sources, including Barnum's own words, to trace the man's roller-coaster life from his boyhood in Connecticut to his early career as the creator of the country's most famous "museums" (comparable to sideshows) to his later role as the master of enormously successful circuses, winning and losing several fortunes along the way. Fleming captures Barnum's exuberant personality and describes how his gift for promotion and dedication to delivering what the public wanted made him the world's most famous showman. She also reveals the private Barnum, a man who valued culture, had deep religious beliefs, and devoted considerable time and funds to charity and public service. Fleming is admiring of Barnum, but does not dismiss his weaknesses and faults. The text is supplemented with sidebars and reproductions of period photos and illustrations, including several of Barnum's advertisements. The bibliography includes Web sites and a selection of primary- and secondary-source books, and notes are done in paragraph format. This book goes beyond traditional biography to give students an objective and informative glimpse into the sometimes-exploitative world of 19th-century entertainment. An outstanding choice for all middle level and secondary collections. Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Voice of Youth Advocates

Abandon all preconceived notions about P. T. Barnum, ye who enter here. Settle down and enjoy this delightful, illuminating, illustrated biography of one of AmericaÆs more fascinating characters. Fleming tells the riveting story of showman Barnum, who invented aquariums, reinvented museums and circuses, never stopped working, bounced back from numerous catastrophesùbankruptcy, total business losses from fireùand was a surprisingly hardworking public servant whose agile intellect also found pleasure in hosting a popular literary salon. FlemingÆs work is rich in photographs, engravings, and frequent sidebars that add texture to the flavor of the American psyche that was ripe for what Barnum was offering. She puts into perspective the attraction for human curiosities (bearded women, skeleton men, Tom Thumb, Chang and Eng) during the nineteenth century, a practice that is rightfully repugnant by todayÆs standards. BarnumÆs ability to think outside the box time and again is a study in entrepreneurship. He thrived on risk-taking and rarely failed. Although he was a self-admitted humbugger, fooling his audiences with hoaxes, he was so good-natured about it that they clamored for more. Fleming offers a terrific accessible insiderÆs view of an important piece of AmericaÆs cultural and entertainment history.ùBeth E. Andersen.