1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fleming, Candace. 2009. THE GREAT AND ONLY BARNUM: THE TREMENDOUS, STUPENDOUS LIFE OF SHOWMAN P.T.BARNUM. Ill. By Ray Fenwick. New York, NY. Random House. ISBN 978037594597
2. SUMMARY
Most of us probably know P.T. Barnum for his famous traveling circus. What readers may not know until reading Fleming's book is that the circus career for Barnum did not begin until he was sixty years old!
This autobiography details Barnum’s rise from his beginnings as a childhood prankster to his rise as an iconic figure in American history. \A brilliant business man, from a young age, developed one of the earliest style museums with it grand “saloons” exhibiting mummies, art work, animal taxidermy, skeletons and people with unusual conditions like the Swiss Bearded Lady. Barnum was the first in the US to have a public aquarium and a hippopotamus on display as well. After losing his museum twice due to fire Barnum spent time traveling the world with his show of oddities- Tiny Tim and the singing Swedish Nightingale for example.Then, much later in life, developed what is known to most as the three ring circus. As a shrewd businessman, politician, abolitionist and a "hum bugger", Barnum has left a lasting legacy.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
With its imaginative illustrations, ephemera, photographs and added extras this book was a thrill to read!
The tone of Flemings book takes on a circus like production. It is written with sidebars for more interesting tidbits as well as lots of exclamation points scattered throughout. The design gives it an old time feel. With just over 100 pages it makes it a quality biography with lots of fun! The author included a bibliography, index, Internet site page and source notes. A nice addition if you are wanting to research further.
Fleming takes on the life story of an American forefather in the sense that P.T Barnum was the first in many of his accomplishments. Although, a man with out fault, the author does not dwell on the unpleasant aspects of his career choices, family and the way he sometimes immorally made his living. Her tone keeps it right at the age its intended for the young audience and allows the reader to make the decision to research further about Barnum.
4. REVIEWS/AWARDS
NEW YORK TIMES review: “Lively… an engrossing portrait… honest and fun.”
BOOKLIST review: “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.”
KIRKUS Review: "As revealing as it is entertaining."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: An outstanding choice for all middle level and secondary collections."
ALA Best Books for Children 2010
ALSC Notable Book 2010
BOOKLIST Top Ten Biographies for Youth 2010
KIRKUS REVIEWS Best Young Adult Book 2009
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book 2009
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults 2010 nominee
5. CONNECTIONS
Authors website includes classroom activities.
http://www.candacefleming.com/index.html
Have students develop a circus poster to help promote biographies, featuring Barnum.
Explain to students what a biography is and how it differs from an Autobiography.
Create a timeline while reading this book with your class
Take a virtual tour of The Barnum museum. Two have burned down in the past and the current museum was struck by a tornado in 2010. A circus is helping to raise funds for the nearly 6 million in damages.
http://www.barnum-museum.org/core.htm
Another great website allows you to visit the original Barnum Museum and assist in solving the mystery of how the museum caught fire…and who the suspects may be! My favorite when furthering my research!
http://www.lostmuseum.cuny.edu/home.html
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