Published in the 'A Puffin Book' series of best-loved classics, along with BALLET SHOES, THEATRE SHOES, TENNIS SHOES and PARTY SHOES.In CIRCUS SHOES by Noel Streatfeild Gus the clown is Peter and Santa's only living relative and escape to the circus seems a better idea to them than an orphanage. But Gus will keep the children only if they make themselves useful - and they have to fight hard to become a genuine part of the circus.Noel Streatfeild was born in Sussex in 1895 and was one of three sisters. Although she was considered the plain one she ended up leading the most glamorous and exciting life! After working in munitions factories and canteens for the armed forces when WWI broke out, Noel followed her dream of being on stage and went to RADA where she became a professional actress. She began writing children's books in 1931 and Ballet Shoes was published in 1936. She quickly became one of the most popular authors of her day. When she visited Puffin exhibitions, there were queues right out of the building and all the way down The Mall. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983. Noel Streatfeild lived in London. She died in 1986.
This book features in the following series: Childrens Classics And Modern Classics, Puffin .
This book has been graded for interest at 8-12 years.
There are 464 pages in this book. This book was published in 2015 by Penguin Random House Children's UK .
Noel Streatfeild wrote for children and adults, including the famous "Shoes" series. She was also a stage actress, a book critic and a lecturer on children's books. Noel Streatfeild died on 11th September 1986.
This book contains the following story:
Circus Shoes
When the aunt who raised them dies, 12-year-old Peter and his 11-year-old sister, Santa, face their greatest fear: being sent to separate orphanages. Vowing to stay together, they track down their only remaining relative. Uncle Gus, the black sheep of the family, has been with Cob's Circus since the war. Peter and Santa arrive just in time to see the caravans pull up. Almost before their eyes, the tents appear and an extraordinary world comes to life. They meet Alexsis Petoff and his family of acrobats; the Schmidt twins and their amazing sea lions; Lorenzo, the ornery waltzing-horse; and a trick poodle named Mis. Soon, Santa is practicing tumbling and Peter is learning to ride. They feel like they are part of the circus community. But life under the big top is hard work, and Santa and Peter will have to rise to the challenge or leave the one place they can finally call home.
