The Great Wheel

The Great Wheel tells the story of Conn Kilroy, a young Irish immigrant who travels to America in the 1890s following his uncle's call to seek opportunities in the New World. During his journey across the Atlantic, he forms a connection with Trudy, a German girl headed for Wisconsin. In New York City, Conn's path leads him to an engineering project of unprecedented scale - the construction of the massive Ferris Wheel for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His work on the revolutionary structure takes him from his initial role in his uncle's business to the heart of one of the era's greatest engineering feats. The narrative weaves together themes of destiny, determination, and the immigrant experience in late 19th century America. Through Conn's journey, the book captures a pivotal moment in American history when innovation and opportunity drew people from across the world to shape the nation's future.

Readers describe this as a moving historical fiction tale blending Irish folklore with 1893 Chicago World's Fair history. The book has limited reviews online, with most coming from educators and librarians. Readers appreciate: - Strong sense of time and place - Integration of Irish customs and traditions - Accurate historical details about the World's Fair - Character development of protagonist Conn - Educational value for middle grade students Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in early chapters - Some dated language and attitudes - Limited appeal for modern young readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (46 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (4 ratings) One teacher noted using it successfully with 6th graders studying the World's Fair. A librarian praised the "vivid descriptions that transport readers to both Ireland and Chicago." Multiple reviews mention the book is hard to find in print, limiting its current readership.

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🎡 George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. designed and built the original Ferris Wheel in just 22 weeks, using 2,000 men working around the clock to complete it for the 1893 World's Fair. 🏆 The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago drew over 27 million visitors during its 6-month run, making it one of the most successful world's fairs in history. ✒️ Robert Lawson is the only person to have won both the Caldecott Medal (for illustration) and the Newbery Medal (for writing) in the history of the prestigious children's literature awards. 🌉 The first Ferris Wheel stood 264 feet tall and could carry 2,160 passengers at once in 36 cars, each the size of a railroad car and equipped with 40 revolving chairs. 🍀 The Irish immigration wave of the 1890s, depicted in the book, saw nearly 405,000 Irish immigrants enter the United States, with many contributing to the industrial growth of cities like Chicago and New York.