About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager feels trapped by circumstances beyond their control or struggles with a sense of being 'different' from their peers. It is a profound exploration of agency and self-determination for any child grappling with the weight of expectations or physical limitations. Set in the 16th century, the story follows Jepp, a young man born with dwarfism who is forced into the role of a court entertainer. Through his journey from a captive in a Spanish palace to a student of the great astronomer Tycho Brahe, the novel addresses deep emotional themes of dignity, the search for belonging, and the scientific quest for truth. It is appropriate for middle and high schoolers who are ready for a sophisticated, sometimes gritty historical narrative about claiming one's own destiny despite the world's narrow definitions.
