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

A gripping 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 6'9" 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 Babe’s love for Euclid (a chimp) and Jupiter (a bear) keeps her anchored, and in Professor Renoir’s Collection of Oddities, Curiosities, and Delights, she is among her own kind.Enter Carlotta Jones, billed as the world’s smallest girl, whose elephant act leaves much to be desired. At thirty inches tall, Carlotta is beautiful, spoiled, and demanding and has very little talent—Egypt, her elephant, dances better than she does.How can a giant like Babe and a dwarf like Carlotta ever see eye to eye? They don’t at first, but soon they understand that a common enemy can bring anyone together—even 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.” —BooklistOne giant girl with a gift for animals. One tiny girl with a talent for trouble.19th Century Historical Fiction: Step into the mud, sawdust, and torchlight of an 1896 traveling carnival, where wonders and dangers are equally real.A Giant and a Dwarf: Fourteen-year-old Babe is too big for the world. Carlotta is too small. When they’re targeted by a common enemy, they discover their differences might be their greatest strength.Heartwarming Animal Friendships: Babe’s only friends are Euclid the chimp and Jupiter the bear. She’ll do anything to protect them from the cruelty of the show—a promise that puts her on a collision course with the ringmaster.A Place to Belong: Among the circus's collection of oddities and curiosities, Babe and Carlotta are no longer just outcasts. They are part of a family—one they will have to fight to keep.