Ghost Boy - (Laurel-Leaf Books) by Iain Lawrence (Paperback)

About the Book

Fourteen-year-old Harold Kline is an albino. Folks call him Ghost Boy. When the circus comes to town, Harold runs off to join it. The circus seems like the answer to his loneliness. He's eager to meet a sideshow attraction who's an albino, too. Even at the circus, though, two groups exist--the freaks, and everyone else. Fitting in comes at a price, and Harold must recognize the truth beneath what seems apparent.

Book Synopsis

Harold Kline is an albino--an outcast. Folks stare and taunt, calling him Ghost Boy. It's been that way for all of his 14 years. So when the circus comes to town, Harold runs off to join it.

Full of colorful performers, the circus seems like the answer to Harold's loneliness. He's eager to meet the Cannibal King, a sideshow attraction who's an albino, too. He's touched that Princess Minikin and the Fossil Man, two other sideshow curiosities, embrace him like a son. He's in love with Flip, the pretty and beguiling horse trainer, and awed by the all-knowing Gypsy Magda. Most of all, Harold is proud of training the elephants, and of earning respect and a sense of normalcy. Even at the circus, though, two groups exist--the freaks, and everyone else. Harold straddles both groups. But fitting in comes at a price, and Harold must recognize the truth beneath what seems apparent before he can find a place to call home.

Review Quotes

"This touching novel, [set a few years after World War II], will speak especially to readers who consider themselves different, flawed, or misunderstood."
--School Library Journal, Starred

About the Author

Iain Lawrence is a journalist, travel writer, and avid sailor.