The Museum of Extraordinary Things / Alice Hoffman / 368 p.

Two unusual young people, on the fringes of society, find each other in turbulent New York City in the early 1900's. A little bit romance, a little bit mystery, a little bit historical fiction--it is framed by two historic fires--and very much about the constrains created by circumstances of birth. Coralie's physical deformity, enhanced by her father for his "museum" of freakish things and people, is both on display and hidden from others. Eddie, scraping by on sheer defiance and determination, has rejected his origins and found hope behind the lens of a camera.  They must overcome self-doubt, a controlling father, poverty and a murderous thug in order to be together.  And enjoyable read.