Curiosity

Intrigue, danger, chess, and a real-life hoax combine in this historical novel from the author of The Shakespeare Stealer Philadelphia, PA, 1835. Rufus, a twelve-year-old chess prodigy, is recruited by a shady showman named Maelzel to secretly operate a mechanical chess player called the Turk. The Turk wows ticket-paying audience members and players, who do not realize that Rufus, the true chess master, is hidden inside the contraption. But Rufus's job working the automaton must be kept secret, and he fears he may never be able to escape his unscrupulous master. And what has happened to the previous operators of the Turk, who seem to disappear as soon as Maelzel no longer needs them? Creeping suspense, plenty of mystery, and cameos from Edgar Allan Poe and P. T. Barnum mark Gary Blackwood's triumphant return to middle grade fiction.

Product details

• Authors: Gary Blackwood, Blackwood Gary
• Publisher: Puffin USA
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 9 to 12
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 07.04.2015
• EAN: 9780142424483
• ISBN: 978-0-14-242448-3
• No. of pages: 336
• Dimensions: 131 mm x 196 mm x 23 mm
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books > Children's books up to 11 years of age; JUVENILE FICTION / Mysteries & Detective Stories, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Crafts & Hobbies, JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / General, JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 19th Century, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Games & Activities / General, JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / General, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, Historical fiction (Children's / Teenage), Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction, United States of America, USA, Crime & mystery fiction (Children's / Teenage), Children’s / Teenage fiction: Crime and mystery fiction, Hobbies, quizzes & games (Children's / Teenage), Sporting stories (Children's / Teenage), Children’s / Teenage fiction: Sporting stories, JUVENILE FICTION / Places / United States