The World Traveler

People like to cheer the underdog. It's why this story of homeless orphan Clarence Duval is one you'll love. He'll warm your heart and touch your conscience with his adventures, which are based on a true story. It's the year 1889. Clarence, age 12, is good at two things—singing and dancing. Homeless and on the verge of starvation, he gets an incredible opportunity: the chance to travel around the world with a group of entertainers. All he must do is dance and entertain the crowds. In book 2, Clarence's adventures take him from Australia to India, Egypt, Italy, France, and Great Britain. He'll see the Great Pyramids, the Roman Catacombs, and Rome's Colosseum. Throughout his travels, however, Clarence faces one of the most relentless villains in all American history: most of his companions hate him because he's an African American. Some take every opportunity to tear Clarence down and kill his spirit. Don't lose the chance to join Clarence on his search for the belonging, acceptance, and dignity that all of us want and deserve. He's not a traditional hero. Clarence is a hero who real people who have faced bullying or discrimination can relate to. His adventures will have you cheering for him even as you question why people would hate and torment a child. This book is suitable for young adult and adult readers.