Freaks: Alive, on the Inside!

Abel is born into the world of sideshow performers. His parents, and most of the inhabitants of the entertainment resort where they live and perform in 1899, are human oddities—freaks many call them—people with physical differences that set them off from most of the population. But Abel has no interesting physical difference, and he feels that he will never have a chance to excel until he goes out into the world among people more like him. He yearns for adventure--the sort of adventure a young man can only have when not surrounded by people who know his parents. When the Siamese twins depart the show, one of them gives Abel an Egyptian ring as a gift to remember her by, and Abel starts to have disturbing, delicious dreams of a beautiful dancing girl. She seems the physical embodiment of the adventure he craves, and where would he ever find a woman such as that? Not at home. That’s when Abel decides to creep out at night and walk across the Maryland countryside to join a traveling circus as the first step on his way to find his fortune. But fortune, in the shape of the voluptuous dancing girl who haunts him in twilight and in sleep, has her own plans for Abel, and through misadventure and mishap (complicated by a little problem he thought he’d left behind) she leads him back to the freaks—a raggle-taggle band of traveling performers very different from the proud, independent souls he grew up with, held in thrall to a manipulative showman and his thugs. They break his heart. Faced with kidnapping, abuse, and even murder, it is only by using the qualities he thought were unimportant and mundane, that Abel can help them and, through that, finds his place in the world and the love of his life. For ages 14 and up.

“Teens will be easily drawn in by the cliff-hanger chapter endings; the vibrant, affectionately drawn cast of characters (including a seductive mummy), and the exuberant, often bawdy language, in which even emotions are visceral creatures: 'A worm of anger squiggled in my gut,' Abel says. Klause's suspenseful twist on the outsider's story, the grim horror of human exploitation, and the questions about belonging will fascinate readers.” Booklist. (starred review)

“It has been far too long since readers have been treated to Klause's enticing literary style, which combines humor, empathy, and a delicious sensuality.  It is obvious that she loves these "freaks."…Many teen readers will love this book, with its openhearted portrayal of people with differences, while others will find the realism disturbing.  At any rate, it is a must-have for all young adult collections.” VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates).

“Set in 1899, this gripping and sensual, but never explicitly sexual tale is a fascinating mixture of fantasy and reality. Abel's growth from an immature, irresponsible teen into a more mature, dependable young man ready to take charge is well done. The author never loses sight of the fact that despite their unusual appearances, all of the characters are human.” Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton, for School Library Journal.

“Everything about the main character of Klause’s fin de siècle novel set in Middle America is appealing, including his name…Abel [Dandy] makes an amiable hero and the narrative has a satisfying warm-heartedness to it. Teens, especially those who feel a bit freakish themselves, will gobble this up.” Publisher’s Weekly.

Selected for the New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age, 2007