This is a fantastic adventure story, well-packaged with an arresting cover, end paper maps, photographs, and delightful insect appointments. Our main character, ten year old Henri (Henry, not On-Ree) Bell, can talk to insects. He has been sent to live with his great aunt in America after his father has disappeared while working for the British East India Company in Malaya. His mother has gone in search of her missing husband. Henri has run away to the circus to escape his great aunt's neighbor, Mrs. Black. Unfortunately, the circus has a fortune teller, Madame Noir, who bears a frightening resemblance to Mrs. Black. Despite his success with the circus (He's in charge of the fleas...), he feels compelled to search for his father and the Goliathus Hercules, and fears that Madame Noir is after the same thing...for very different reasons. Why does she have a mourning pin with a picture of Henry's father and a label that reads "George B." It is often said that embarking on an adventure can be a life-changing experience. Out protagonist indubitably undergoes a radical change...and demonstrates spectacular respect for life/elders, friendship and family ties.
"Great scientists and explorers must possess imagination. It's what allows them to speculate and theorize."
Mark Twain Award Preliminary Nominee 2015-16
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