2020 Battle of the Books

"Thrilling -- a spirited, poignant coming-of-age vignette and an intriguing window into a little-known chapter in vaudeville history." -Kirkus Review starred review) In 1908, a visiting troupe of vaudeville performers is about the most exciting thing to come to Muskegon, Michigan, since baseball. They're summering in nearby Bluffton, so Henry has a few months to ogle the elephant and the zebra, the tightrope walkers, and -- best of all -- a slapstick actor his own age named Buster Keaton. Henry longs to learn to take a fall like Buster, "the human mop," but Buster just wants to play ball with Henry and his friends. With his signature nostalgic touch, Scott O'Dell Award-winning graphic novelist Matt Phelan illuminates a bygone era with lustrous color, dynamic lines, and flawless dramatic pacing.