Big Top Burning: The True Story of an Arsonist, a Missing Girl, and The Greatest Show On Earth
$5.17
Description
Book Synopsis: International Literacy Association Award Winner for Intermediate Nonfiction 2016 Eureka Children's Book Honor 2016
On July 6, 1944, thousands of fans made their way to Barbour Street in Hartford, Connecticut, to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance. Not long after the show’s start, a fire broke out and spread rapidly as panicked circus-goers pushed and scrambled to escape. Within 10 minutes the entire big top had burned to the ground, and 167 people never went home. Big Top Burning recounts the true story of one of the worst fire disasters in US history. It follows the tragic stories of the Cook family—including children Donald, Eleanor, and Edward, who were in the audience that day—and 15-year-old Robert Segee, a circus employee with an incendiary past. Drawing on primary sources and interviews with survivors, author Laura Woollett guides readers through several decades of investigations and asks, "Was the unidentified body of a little girl nicknamed “Little Miss 1565“ Eleanor Cook? Was the fire itself an act of arson—and did Robert Segee set it?" Young readers are invited to evaluate the evidence and draw their own conclusions.
Combining a gripping disaster story, an ongoing detective and forensics saga, and vivid details about life in World War II–era America, Big Top Burning is sure to intrigue any history or real-life mystery fan.
Details
If you're a history or mystery buff, then Big Top Burning: The True Story of an Arsonist, a Missing Girl, and The Greatest Show On Earth is a must-read that will have you captivated from start to finish. Winner of the International Literacy Association Award for Intermediate Nonfiction and Eureka Children's Book Honor, this book takes you back to the fateful day of July 6, 1944, when tragedy struck the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance in Hartford, Connecticut.
Imagine being part of the crowd, excitedly watching the circus unfold, only to have your world turn upside down in a matter of minutes. The fire that broke out during the show's start engulfed the entire big top in just 10 minutes, leaving 167 people dead and countless others scarred for life. Through meticulous research, author Laura Woollett brings this harrowing disaster to life, drawing on primary sources and interviews with survivors to unravel the truth behind the tragedy.
But that's not all. Big Top Burning also delves into the intriguing story of Robert Segee, a circus employee with a troubled past. Was he responsible for setting the fire? Did he play a role in the tragedy? Woollett expertly presents the evidence, leaving young readers to become their own detectives and draw their own conclusions. This gripping detective and forensics saga will keep you on the edge of your seat, unable to put the book down until the very end.
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the captivating era of World War II America, as Woollett's vivid descriptions transport you to a different time and place. Feel the tension in the air as the nation grapples with the hardships of war, while trying to make sense of the devastating circus fire. Big Top Burning is a compelling page-turner that combines history, mystery, and real-life drama in a way that will intrigue and engage any reader.
Ready to uncover the truth behind one of the worst fire disasters in US history? Dive into Big Top Burning and join the investigation today.
Get Big Top Burning now and be prepared for a gripping journey through history and mystery. Don't miss out on this unforgettable read!
Discover More Best Sellers in Law & Crime
Shop Law & Crime
$29.99
Law & Crime - Blink Mini - Compact indoor plug-in smart security camera, 1080p HD video, night vision, motion detection, two-way audio, easy set up, Works with Alexa – 1 camera (White)
Ketanji Brown Jackson (Biographies of Diverse Heroes)
$8.95
Law & Crime - Ketanji Brown Jackson (Biographies of Diverse Heroes)
The United States Constitution (Documenting U.S. History)
$8.99
Law & Crime - The United States Constitution (Documenting U.S. History)
We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States
$1.41
Law & Crime - We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States
Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation (Inquire and Investigate)
$14.74
Law & Crime - Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation (Inquire and Investigate)
Unbelievable Pictures and Facts About Iowa
$12.98
Law & Crime - Unbelievable Pictures and Facts About Iowa
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Chicago Gangster! (You Wouldn't Want to…: American History)
$17.34
Law & Crime - You Wouldn't Want to Be a Chicago Gangster! (You Wouldn't Want to…: American History)
