Born Different: Amazing Stories of Very Special People

Drimmer, Frederick

ISBN 10: 0689313608 ISBN 13: 9780689313608

Publisher: Atheneum, 1988

Synopsis

Tells the stories of Tom Thumb, Joseph Merrick, a pair of Siamese twins, a giant nearly nine feet high, and a musician born without arms

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 6-10 A book that details the lives of seven remarkable people who were born with and learned to live with severe physical differences. Included are Charles "Tom Thumb" Stratton; Robert Wadlow (the Alton giant); Julia "the Apewoman" Pastrana; Chang and Eng, the "original" Siamese twins; Joseph (the Elephant Man) Merrick; and Carl Herrmann Unthan, "the Armless Wonder." All of these people managed to rise above difficulties that would have defeated less strong personalities, although all were forced, by circumstance or by fortune, to use the fascination that others felt for their differences to make a living. Some, indeed, were even denied dignity in death. The illustrations, black-and-white photos and reproductions of book illustrations, newspaper clippings, engravings and daguerrotypes, range from merely interesting to uncomfortable to look at, although none truly pander to the mere seeker of grotesques. While Drimmer is obviously sympathetic to the unenviable situations of his subjects and deals with their horrendous difficulties in a tasteful manner, the subject material will be off-putting to some, intriguing and edifying to others. Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Illustrated with archival photographs, this compelling book examines the lives of such unique personalities as Tom Thumb, Joseph Merrick (the Elephant Man) and 19th-century Siamese twins Chang and Eng. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0689313608
• ISBN 13: 9780689313608
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 182