Worlds Afire [Paperback]

Paul B. Janeczko (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2007

"Riveting. . . . A memorable historical fiction selection, similar in intensity to Karen Hesse’s OUT OF THE DUST and WITNESS." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)

One summer afternoon in 1944, hundreds of circus lovers crowded under the big top in Hartford, waiting for the show to begin. Minutes later, a fire broke out and spread through the tent, claiming the lives of 167 souls and injuring some 500 more. Paul B. Janeczko recalls that tragic event by bringing to life some unforgettable voices -- from circus performers to seasoned fans, from firefi ghters to ushers. Using the lyrical power of language to render tragedy with a human face, this spare, startling book in verse leaves an emotional impact young readers will not soon forget.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-A riveting account of a horrific event that killed 167 people, mostly women and children, and injured 500. In a collection of narrative poems, Janeczko describes a circus fire that took place on July 6, 1944 in Hartford, CT, from the viewpoints of those who were there. The event's horror leaps vividly from each poem. The brief book is divided into three parts-a sort of introduction, the fire itself, and the aftermath as people tried to understand what went wrong. Readers hear from police officers, and many circus people, as well as the 13-year-old girl whose friends were lucky enough to go to the circus while she had to stay home. The voices lend immediacy to the story and enhance the sense of tragedy. This is a memorable historical fiction selection, similar in intensity to Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust (1997) and Witness (2001, both Scholastic).-Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. Based on a real circus fire in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1944 that killed 167 in a few minutes and injured more than 500, Janeczko's spare poetic novel describes the events in the voices of 29 eyewitnesses: children and adults in the audience, circus folk, and townspeople. First, there's the excitement before the show, then the horror of the sudden wild flames and screaming panic, and finally the "shuffling and sobbing" of families in grief. Many voices sound too much the same; but the words are plain, with short lines that are very easy to read, and the stories they tell are unforgettable. A child escapes, but watches her mother and brother "swept away by the rush." A young trainer saves the elephants ("the herd lined up / tail-to trunk / just like they'd been taught"). A firefighter explains that the canvas tent was waterproofed with paraffin and gasoline ("one huge candle / just waiting for a light"). Janeczko never sensationalizes the horror, but the combination of a thrilling circus and true catastrophe will grab middle-schoolers, especially for readers' theater. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076363400X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763634001
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.3 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worlds Afire, May 14, 2004

By 

Matthew Rada (Stamford, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Worlds Afire (Hardcover)

The book Worlds Afire is the best drama book I have ever read but since I'm only 13 I'm sure that there is a lot more better drama books out there I just haven't heard of yet. This book is about "a circus gone bad" as I would say. It is also a true story that is going to haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. That's how good of a picture the book draws for you as you read. As your reading you can just see all the people dying in the torturous flames of the Hartford fire. The book takes place during the circus act of the tigers. The worst thing about the fire is that there is only one escape for all those people to get out of and barely half of them did. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone shape, color or size.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sally Weissman...the Nurse, January 27, 2005

By 

Sarah (ID) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Worlds Afire (Hardcover)

Paul Janeczko's collection of poems tells the story of the infamous Hartford Circus fire of 1944. From the gradual points of view of performers, parents and anxoius children, Janeczko leads his readers through the excitement of the Big Top event, to the horror and tragedy of the fire. From parents, freaks and photographers, the reader is lead through the terror and confusion of the fire and the anguish of the hospital afterward. The best poem in my opinion was not saved for last. The touching point of view of sally Weissman, the nurse attending the emergency room to which so many victems were rushed is this books most powerful moment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars worlds afire, October 31, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Worlds Afire (Hardcover)

This story is about terror and heros it is also about history and drama. This book was not the best book i have read but it kept me entertaind.