The Giant and How He Humbugged America

Gr 5 Up–Murphy investigtes a clever and successful scheme during the 1800s, sharing with readers how several men in upstate New York  were able to fool the public and make thousands of dollars. When William Newell decided to have a well dug on his farm, the men hired to do the digging became quite excited when a 10-foot  giant was uncovered in the field. Experts called in to determine the origins–whether a statue or petrified giant–couldn’t agree. There were those who believed it was possibly a giant from the local Onondaga Indian tribe or a giant like Goliath from the Bible. Crowds gathered, and, in a matter of days, thousands came to see for themselves the amazing giant upon hearing by word of mouth and newspaper reports. Readers will question the origins of the giant until about halfway through the book, when hints of the truth slowly expose the actual origin of the Cardiff giant, keeping readers enthralled with the strange turn of events. As this was also the time in history of other questionable events, doubters and naysayers did exist. So did other men wanting to cash in on the opportunity, creating an even greater exhibition. Photos, a cast of characters, additional information on other famous hoaxes, research on the topic, and extensive source notes complete this fun, exciting, and lively account. Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NB