Professor Renoir's Collection of Oddities, Curiosities, and Delights

Agripping historical fiction friendship story that will grab everyone by the heartstrings and never let go.A giant, a dwarf, and three doomed circus animals . . .By her fourteenth birthday, Babe Killingsworth measures 69 and weighs 342 pounds. In 1896, what other options does a giant have but to join a carnival?Her only real talent is handling animals: Critters is folks to me. The cheap outfit her feckless father sells her off to offers critters galore; an escape from Neal, Idaho; and a bit of fame. It also opens the doorway to exploitation and neglect.But Babes love for Euclid (a chimp) and Jupiter (a bear) keeps her anchored, and in Professor Renoirs Collection of Oddities, Curiosities, and Delights, she is among her own kind.Enter Carlotta Jones, billed as the worlds smallest girl, whose elephant act leaves much to be desired. At thirty inches tall, Carlotta is beautiful, spoiled, and demanding and has very little talentEgypt, her elephant, dances better than she does.How can a giant like Babe and a dwarf like Carlotta ever see eye to eye? They dont at first, but soon they understand that a common enemy can bring anyone togethereven a giant and a dwarf.'Platt proves again she is unafraid to tackle intensely emotional issues for young readers in this beautifully written piece. Like its title, it inspires both curiosity and delight. Booklist