James Otis Kaler facts for kids
James Otis Kaler (born March 19, 1848 – died December 11, 1912) was an American writer. He wrote many books, mostly for boys, using the pen name James Otis. His first book, Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus, is his most famous. It was even made into a Walt Disney movie called Toby Tyler in 1960.
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Life and Career of James Otis Kaler
James Otis Kaler was born in Winterport, Maine. He went to public school and started working early. At just 13 years old, he got a job with the Boston Journal newspaper. Three years later, he was reporting on the American Civil War.
Later in his life, Kaler worked in many different jobs. He was a journalist and editor for various newspapers. He also worked as a superintendent in schools and even as a publicity person for a circus.
In 1880, he wrote Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus. This book is about an orphan boy who runs away to join the circus. It became very popular, especially after Disney made it into a movie. After this success, Kaler wrote many more children's books. Most of these were historical stories or adventure novels. He wrote an amazing number of books, almost 200 in total!
In 1898, Kaler moved back to Maine. He became the first superintendent of schools in South Portland. There's even a school in that city named after him today. He married Amy L. Scamman and they had two sons. James Otis Kaler passed away on December 11, 1912, in Portland, Maine.
Popular Book Series by James Otis
James Otis Kaler wrote many books, often grouped into exciting series. Here are some of his most well-known ones:
The Boy Spies Series
This series is about young spies during important times in American history. Many of these books were reprinted with new titles.
- With Lafayette at Yorktown (1895) – later called The Boy Spies with Lafayette
- With Washington at Monmouth (1897) – later called The Boy Spies of Philadelphia
- With Warren At Bunker Hill (1898) – later called The Boy Spies at the Battle of Bunker Hill
- The Boy Spies at Yorktown (1898)
- The Boy Spies with the Swamp Fox (1899)
- The Boy Spies of Old New York (1899)
These books follow young characters on naval adventures.
- The Capture of the Laughing Mary (1898) – later called The Navy Boys in New York Bay
- Amos Dunkle, Oarsman (1899) – later called The Navy Boys on Long Island Sound
- At the Siege of Havana (1899) – later called The Navy Boys at the Siege of Havana
- A Cruise with John Paul Jones (1899) – later called The Navy Boys Cruise with John Paul Jones
The Minute Boys Series
This series tells stories about young boys who helped during the American Revolution.
- The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains (1904)
- The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley (1905)
- The Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley (1906)
- The Minute Boys of South Carolina (1907)
- The Minute Boys of Long Island (1908)
- The Minute Boys of New York City (1909)
- The Minute Boys of Boston (1910)
- The Minute Boys of Philadelphia (1911)
- The Minute Boys of Yorktown (1912)
The Toby Tyler Trilogy
This is his most famous series, starting with the book that made him well-known.
- Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus (1880)
- Mr. Stubbs' Brother (1882)
- Old Ben, The Friend of Toby Tyler and Mr Stubb's Brother (1911)
Other Adventure Stories
Kaler wrote many other exciting adventure stories, often set in different historical periods or faraway places. Some of these include:
- An Island Refuge: Casco Bay in 1676 (1895)
- Under the Liberty Tree: A Story of the Boston Massacre (1896)
- The Boys of '98 (1898)
- The Life Savers: A Story of the United States Life-Saving Service (1899)
- The Treasure of Cocos Island (1902)
- Boy Scouts in the Maine Woods (1911)
