Toby Tyler; Or, Ten Weeks with a Circus

"Toby Tyler; Or, Ten Weeks with a Circus" by James Otis is a 19th-century children's tale where a young boy named Toby Tyler seeks adventure by joining a traveling circus, dreaming of an exciting life away from his strict Uncle Daniel. Initially captivated by the circus's arrival in his small town, Toby's desire for something more leads him to become an assistant to a candy vendor. As he enters this new world, he quickly discovers that circus life isn't as glamorous as he imagined, especially when dealing with his difficult boss; however, Toby starts an unlikely friendship with an old monkey named Mr. Stubbs, which hints at the valuable lessons and bonds he will make throughout his ten-week journey.