An outcast young boy, orphaned by the Civil War, is taken in by the owner of a traveling medicine show and, despite the doubts of others, confirms the man's faith in him and his talents.

The boy is a starving orphan living on the streets when Mr. McSneed puts him in a traveling medicine show and calls him "Punch." Now he's Punch with Judy and, it turns out, that's all that matters—if only he can make it last, when everyone around them is against them.

Behind the Book

Avi writes:

I recall seeing a French movie—I can’t recall what it was—in which sadness and humor were intertwined. You never knew whether to laugh or cry. As a story teller that really interested me. As a result, I tried to think of how I could tell a story that would have the same effect. In time I composed a story about a group of traveling performers, who, when they tried to be funny, were pretty sad. But, when they were sad, it was funny. Punch with Judy is the result. In some ways, it’s a rather odd book, but I think I achieved what I set out to do. Will it make you laugh or cry? Hopefully, both.