Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus

Published in 1880, 'Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus' by James Otis follows a ten-year-old orphan who escapes from a foster home to join a traveling circus. The story contrasts the romanticized view of circus life with the harsh realities faced by performers, particularly under a cruel employer. Through Toby's friendship with a chimpanzee named Mr. Stubbs, the novel explores themes of instinct versus intellect and conscience, making it a notable work in children's literature.