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When a group of young performers take on the world’s greatest showman, can their abilities overcome his power?
In an alternate 1899, Solomon Hunt leaves home after his father’s death to seek income for his family, only to stumble into the adventure of a lifetime when he rescues the Seer, a young genius showman, from captivity in a sideshow.
Together, the duo flee across the terrifying, entertainment-obsessed Empire of America, evading a group of vicious pursuers led by Leopold J. Coop, who not only dominates the Empire through his circus-like extravaganzas, but seeks to be president too.
From Buffalo to New Orleans, Denver to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between, Solomon and the Seer befriend and recruit diverse young performers trapped in shows, including a human cannonball, a giant acrobat, a blues musician, an outlaw gunslinger, a talking gorilla, and more. As Coop closes in and vile secrets are revealed, the ragtag troupe prepare an explosive, groundbreaking performance intended to save them all.
In an alternate 1899, Solomon Hunt leaves home after his father’s death to seek income for his family, only to stumble into the adventure of a lifetime when he rescues the Seer, a young genius showman, from captivity in a sideshow.
Together, the duo flee across the terrifying, entertainment-obsessed Empire of America, evading a group of vicious pursuers led by Leopold J. Coop, who not only dominates the Empire through his circus-like extravaganzas, but seeks to be president too.
From Buffalo to New Orleans, Denver to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between, Solomon and the Seer befriend and recruit diverse young performers trapped in shows, including a human cannonball, a giant acrobat, a blues musician, an outlaw gunslinger, a talking gorilla, and more. As Coop closes in and vile secrets are revealed, the ragtag troupe prepare an explosive, groundbreaking performance intended to save them all.
276 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2025
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Shane Peacock
37 books133 followersShane Peacock was born in 1957 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of four brothers. He attended school in the northern town of Kapuskasing, Ontario, before attending university, where he studied History and English literature. A biographer, journalist, and screenwriter, he is also the author of eighteen novels, a picture book and three plays, and has been won and/or been nominated for numerous awards including two Arthur Ellis Awards for crime fiction, the Geoffrey Bilson Award for historical fiction, the Violet Downey Award, the Libris Award, seven times honored with Junior Library Guild of America selections, and has been on three shortlists for the Canadian Children's Literature Award, and one for the Governor-General's Award. His books have been published in 20 languages in 18 countries. He and his wife, journalist Sophie Kneisel live in Cobourg, Ontario and have two daughters and a son.
Series:
* The Dylan Maples Adventures
* The Boy Sherlock Holmes
The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim
The Seven Series
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2008): Eye of the Crow
The Arthur Ellis (2013)
The Violet Downey Award
The Libris Award
The Geoffrey Bilson Award
The Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Award
Anne Izard Storyteller Choice Award
Junior Library Guild of America Selection (7 times)
Governor-General's Award (shortlist)
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award (shortlist)
Series:
* The Dylan Maples Adventures
* The Boy Sherlock Holmes
The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim
The Seven Series
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2008): Eye of the Crow
The Arthur Ellis (2013)
The Violet Downey Award
The Libris Award
The Geoffrey Bilson Award
The Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Award
Anne Izard Storyteller Choice Award
Junior Library Guild of America Selection (7 times)
Governor-General's Award (shortlist)
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award (shortlist)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 18, 2025
Shane Peacock’s CV is quite impressive: an Ontario author, journalist, screenwriter, published in 20 languages and 18 countries. He’s won a sheaf of awards, both genre and literary, and been short-listed for a GG.
His YA novel, Show, is published by an imprint of Cormorant Books in Toronto.
First, the marketing blurb:
In an alternate 1899, farm boy Solomon Hunt leaves home after his father’s death to seek income for his family, only to stumble into the adventure of a lifetime when he rescues a young genius showman from captivity in a sideshow.
Together, the duo flee across the terrifying, entertainment-obsessed Empire of America, performing for a living while evading a group of vicious pursuers led by Leonard J. Coop, who not only dominates the Empire through his circus-like extravaganzas, but seeks to be president too.
From Buffalo to New Orleans, Denver to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between, Solomon befriends and recruits diverse young performers trapped in shows, including a human cannonball, a giant acrobat, a blues musician, an outlaw gunslinger, a talking gorilla, and more. As Coop closes in and vile secrets are revealed, the ragtag troupe reaches little Hollywood, California, where they present an explosive, groundbreaking performance intended to save them all.
All sounds vaguely current events and familiar, a thinly-veiled bit of political satire aimed at youth, full of hi-jinks, pathos, and action. Peacock very much explores the sense of freak and misfit in this story, what I couldn’t help but think of as a heavy hand wielding a sledgehammer, in order to explore what many young people experience by way of alienation and isolation, not just now, but throughout history.
Peacock then marries that pathos to what is very much a transparent political satire of Trump and the current circus the world is witnessing. There are those who might think I’m stretching things a bit. For me, however, it was all too clear this was Peacock’s way of sending a clear message to youth about the dangers of buffoonery and deceit in our leaders. And I must admit, this transparent bombardment wore a bit thin for me, in fact rankled, because I couldn’t help but feel there was a disingenuous message and vehicle here which was as much an attempt at indoctrination as any overt, government-sanctioned program, and a bit questionable on the part of a Toronto publisher of YA and children’s books. Not that I in any manner support what’s happening to our neighbours to the south. But I do get a bit squeamish about indoctrination of youth.
Having said that, the story is a passable one, mildly entertaining. The characters, despite their extraordinary appearances and abilities, are mildly identifiable. The pacing is mildly captivating. The writing is mildly engaging. The whole novel, for this reader, was just, well, mild, sort of beige, an escapist read for a few hours if you can get past the political satire.
If I still had youths in my family would I purchase this novel for them? Maybe. If I couldn’t find anything else more engaging for them at the moment. But don’t let my own tepid response be a guide for you. Go and read Show for yourself and see what you think.
His YA novel, Show, is published by an imprint of Cormorant Books in Toronto.
First, the marketing blurb:
In an alternate 1899, farm boy Solomon Hunt leaves home after his father’s death to seek income for his family, only to stumble into the adventure of a lifetime when he rescues a young genius showman from captivity in a sideshow.
Together, the duo flee across the terrifying, entertainment-obsessed Empire of America, performing for a living while evading a group of vicious pursuers led by Leonard J. Coop, who not only dominates the Empire through his circus-like extravaganzas, but seeks to be president too.
From Buffalo to New Orleans, Denver to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between, Solomon befriends and recruits diverse young performers trapped in shows, including a human cannonball, a giant acrobat, a blues musician, an outlaw gunslinger, a talking gorilla, and more. As Coop closes in and vile secrets are revealed, the ragtag troupe reaches little Hollywood, California, where they present an explosive, groundbreaking performance intended to save them all.
All sounds vaguely current events and familiar, a thinly-veiled bit of political satire aimed at youth, full of hi-jinks, pathos, and action. Peacock very much explores the sense of freak and misfit in this story, what I couldn’t help but think of as a heavy hand wielding a sledgehammer, in order to explore what many young people experience by way of alienation and isolation, not just now, but throughout history.
Peacock then marries that pathos to what is very much a transparent political satire of Trump and the current circus the world is witnessing. There are those who might think I’m stretching things a bit. For me, however, it was all too clear this was Peacock’s way of sending a clear message to youth about the dangers of buffoonery and deceit in our leaders. And I must admit, this transparent bombardment wore a bit thin for me, in fact rankled, because I couldn’t help but feel there was a disingenuous message and vehicle here which was as much an attempt at indoctrination as any overt, government-sanctioned program, and a bit questionable on the part of a Toronto publisher of YA and children’s books. Not that I in any manner support what’s happening to our neighbours to the south. But I do get a bit squeamish about indoctrination of youth.
Having said that, the story is a passable one, mildly entertaining. The characters, despite their extraordinary appearances and abilities, are mildly identifiable. The pacing is mildly captivating. The writing is mildly engaging. The whole novel, for this reader, was just, well, mild, sort of beige, an escapist read for a few hours if you can get past the political satire.
If I still had youths in my family would I purchase this novel for them? Maybe. If I couldn’t find anything else more engaging for them at the moment. But don’t let my own tepid response be a guide for you. Go and read Show for yourself and see what you think.
March 8, 2025
Robin Hood, move over. This fun, enthralling tale is the new gold standard for a merry troupe of youths doing good while romping across the Wild West and barely outwitting pursuers. Indeed, Shane Peacock, award-winning author of 30 books, has outdone himself in this lively, gripping read, appropriate for both middle grade and young adults. (The cover is also great!)
Told in the third-person point of view of 15-year-old Solomon, who joins forces with the secretive and talented Seer after freeing him from his managers’ enslavement, it’s a colorful journey that takes them from Canada (called New Britain) to Hollywood and all stops between by steam train, hot-air balloon, boat and stagecoach. Barely dodging those who would keep them locked up between events to grasp all profits, they develop their own show while on the run, freeing fellow teen talents along the way.
The writing is excellent -- not just the action scenes, but the descriptive passages, which also reveal Solomon’s conscience:
They moved north, just as the posters directed. Though they saw many wealthy people — men in velvet bowler hats, women in billowing silk dresses and carrying sun umbrellas — the endless number of poor people almost brought tears to Solomon’s eyes.
Chicagotown: It was difficult not to stand and gawk upwards. Solomon felt as though he were in a fantasy world, as if the buildings were made of mammoth marshmallows or towering candy sticks and sugar. This city was a symbol of the incredible growth of the Empire, its spread westward.
The men wore colourful suits and straw hats and thrust out their chests, the ladies displayed themselves in tight dresses that jutted out at their behinds and revealed the lower parts of their legs above high-heeled boots.
Color also imbues the bad guys, of whom there are several:
Out from the swinging doors of the entrance came none other than Sudsy Randolph himself, his heeled, spurred boots smacking on the wooden veranda, his tall, lean frame dressed in a black suit with waistcoat and gold watch chain, bearded, long-haired and sporting a cowboy hat tipped back on his head. A crocodile-skin gun belt with full holsters was slung low under his belly. When he stepped out the door everyone within sight of him paused for a moment before walking on. This was obviously a man of influence in Denver City.
From Buffalo to New Orleans, Denver to Los Angeles, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, Solomon (a contortionist) and the Seer recruit a remarkable variety of young performers trapped in shows, including a human cannonball, a giant acrobat, a blues musician, a gunslinger, a talking gorilla who does Houdini-style escapes, a fighter, an inventor, a girl with trained ravens, “the most beautiful woman in the world” and more. These characters also define diversity, in that there’s a mute person, a blind person and teens representing almost every color and race. Further, “First Inhabitants” (indigenous people) and their plight are mentioned regularly.
But nothing in this story takes itself too seriously. It’s pure fun and tension, the droplet of magic realism (talking gorillas and ravens) easy to take in stride. By the time the troupe numbers a dozen, it’s a little difficult keeping them all straight, but the action moves too fast to work up concern about it. The concept of no one noticing a gorilla hidden beneath a blanket as he’s hustled through public places and transferred from one mode of transport to another is a little hard to swallow. And it’s a little over-convenient that they happen upon a former entertainment businessman who sympathizes with their plight and gives them crucial information in the nick of time.
But the turn-of-the-century journey itself, and its colorful cast of both pursuers and escaped performers, is the focus – from start to climactic finish. This one’s an all-out winner.
NOTE: THIS REVIEW ALSO APPEARS AT https://yadudebooks.ca, a book-review site that connects boys with reading.
Told in the third-person point of view of 15-year-old Solomon, who joins forces with the secretive and talented Seer after freeing him from his managers’ enslavement, it’s a colorful journey that takes them from Canada (called New Britain) to Hollywood and all stops between by steam train, hot-air balloon, boat and stagecoach. Barely dodging those who would keep them locked up between events to grasp all profits, they develop their own show while on the run, freeing fellow teen talents along the way.
The writing is excellent -- not just the action scenes, but the descriptive passages, which also reveal Solomon’s conscience:
They moved north, just as the posters directed. Though they saw many wealthy people — men in velvet bowler hats, women in billowing silk dresses and carrying sun umbrellas — the endless number of poor people almost brought tears to Solomon’s eyes.
Chicagotown: It was difficult not to stand and gawk upwards. Solomon felt as though he were in a fantasy world, as if the buildings were made of mammoth marshmallows or towering candy sticks and sugar. This city was a symbol of the incredible growth of the Empire, its spread westward.
The men wore colourful suits and straw hats and thrust out their chests, the ladies displayed themselves in tight dresses that jutted out at their behinds and revealed the lower parts of their legs above high-heeled boots.
Color also imbues the bad guys, of whom there are several:
Out from the swinging doors of the entrance came none other than Sudsy Randolph himself, his heeled, spurred boots smacking on the wooden veranda, his tall, lean frame dressed in a black suit with waistcoat and gold watch chain, bearded, long-haired and sporting a cowboy hat tipped back on his head. A crocodile-skin gun belt with full holsters was slung low under his belly. When he stepped out the door everyone within sight of him paused for a moment before walking on. This was obviously a man of influence in Denver City.
From Buffalo to New Orleans, Denver to Los Angeles, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, Solomon (a contortionist) and the Seer recruit a remarkable variety of young performers trapped in shows, including a human cannonball, a giant acrobat, a blues musician, a gunslinger, a talking gorilla who does Houdini-style escapes, a fighter, an inventor, a girl with trained ravens, “the most beautiful woman in the world” and more. These characters also define diversity, in that there’s a mute person, a blind person and teens representing almost every color and race. Further, “First Inhabitants” (indigenous people) and their plight are mentioned regularly.
But nothing in this story takes itself too seriously. It’s pure fun and tension, the droplet of magic realism (talking gorillas and ravens) easy to take in stride. By the time the troupe numbers a dozen, it’s a little difficult keeping them all straight, but the action moves too fast to work up concern about it. The concept of no one noticing a gorilla hidden beneath a blanket as he’s hustled through public places and transferred from one mode of transport to another is a little hard to swallow. And it’s a little over-convenient that they happen upon a former entertainment businessman who sympathizes with their plight and gives them crucial information in the nick of time.
But the turn-of-the-century journey itself, and its colorful cast of both pursuers and escaped performers, is the focus – from start to climactic finish. This one’s an all-out winner.
NOTE: THIS REVIEW ALSO APPEARS AT https://yadudebooks.ca, a book-review site that connects boys with reading.
September 20, 2025
Solomon Hunt leaves the family farm in 1899 after his father's death in a desperate attempt to find work so he can send money home. He is bewildered by the American love for amusements and accidentally becomes embroiled in the affairs of the Seer, a sideshow act, whom he helps escape from jailers led by Leopold J. Coop, showman and candidate for president of the Empire of America. During their seemingly haphazard flight, the Seer and Solomon gather a motley group of special talent to create their own show. Solomon becomes famous in his own right, but he must choose between a life of fame and supporting his family. Along the way, Solomon learns the true meaning of friendship and family and creates memories that will last a lifetime. The idea of creating an alternate history for North America was quite intriguing. I found the pacing to be a bit slow, but persevered to the end.
November 16, 2025
This just may not have been to my taste, but the action was well done and the characters were interesting! I'm suspicious of most historical reimaginings, but... This at least doesn't turn its back on the context of the era while still being interesting. A solid 3.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews