tamarayork's review
4.0
3.5 stars. Newbery Challenge 192/415. This is a biography of General Tom Thumb, the dwarf that helped P. T. Barnum rise to fame. It was written in 1942, so it lacks modern political correctness and sensibilities. Besides that, I found this book rather interesting, especially after watching (and loving) The Greatest Showman.
triscuit807's review
1.0
1 star not just because of the writing, although that was folksy and overly cute, but because I found the subject matter and how it was presented to be appalling. I felt like I was reading a novelization of a reality show like "Honey Boo Boo". I wish that someone had had more concern for the child who was Charles Stratton, who was marketed as Tom Thumb. Yes, he was unique; yes, his mother (and later his father, too) accompanied him; yes, he met the leaders of many lands; yes, child stars of tv and film are treated similarly today - but none of that makes it right. I cannot recommend this book. I read it for my 2019 Reading Challenge and my Newbery Challenge, (Honor book, 1943).
scaifea's review
2.0
A biography for kids of Charles Stratton (a.k.a. General Tom Thumb), who was groomed from a young age into an traveling attraction by P.T. Barnum. For its subject matter, this Newbery Honor Book could have been really interesting. Reader, it wasn't.
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