FRED STONE AND THE FRONTIER CIRCUS

Fred Stone and the Frontier CircusThis book is inspired by the childhood of author P.J. Sloane’s grandfather, Fred A.Stone, who created the role of the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” on Broadway in 1903.In 1883, nine-year-old Fred yearns for adventure. When the Coleman Circus comes to town, he attends a high wire demonstration by the Great Alonzo in the main street, afterwards vowing to become the greatest tightrope walker in the world.He practices on a rope in his front yard, every day, for one year, teaches himself all the tricks he saw the Great Alonzo perform. When the circus returns the following summer, Fred dazzles the crowd when climbs the high wire outside the Big Top, landing him a job with the greatest show on earth! His younger brother, Ed, an acrobat, joins him on this life-changing and exciting adventure.Fred and Ed befriend Mattie, a little girl with a dog act and the other youngster in the circus, Jacks, a black 10-year-old who works in the food tent. Mattie ignores him until a frightening incident has her reevaluating her own beliefs about him.A violent storm, the death of an animal, an outlaw, a lost dog, were not something ten-year-old Fred Stone expected to encounter. When the circus is robbed of all its money, Fred, along with his friends, attempt to find the thief and recover the cash. But time is running out.Without funds, the circus could close forever! Can Fred save the day before it’s too late? Read more