Abandoned as a baby at Chipchase’s Travelling Circus Louie dreams of becoming a “showstopper” one day. But the circus owner, who seems to have some unspoken attachment to Louie, only lets her sell tickets. In secret Louie practises her tightrope act dreaming of becoming like her hero, Blondin, who was the first tightrope walker to cross Niagra Falls. After a terrible accident the circus needs Louie’s help and she finally gets her wish to perform. Chasing her dreams she runs to America to join the great Wellbeloved’s circus, but on the way her illusions of her hero Blondin and of the world of the circus are cruelly ripped apart. Louie's bravery is tested not just on the highwire but in confronting her past and Mr Wellbeloved’s plans for her.
I love stories set in the magical time of the 19th century and this book will enchant, surprise, upset and delight children with a good imagination.