Although the story is fiction, it's based on an actual event that took place in 1950 in the town of Wetumka, Oklahoma, and resulted in the annual Sucker Day Festival that continues today.

The story is about two girls, Clara Jean and Bobbie Jo, and how they become friends through their experience with F. Bam Morrison, the Flimflam Man, who is selling advance tickets to Bohn's United Circus Shows.

This is a cute book, this illustrations are adorable and the girls are funny. ( )

The Flimflam Man is by Oklahoma author Darleen Bailey Beard. The main character is Bobbie Jo, a young girl with a stutter from Wetumka, Oklahoma. One day Bobbie Jo is trying to give away puppies when her archenemy Clara Jean tries to take the last one. Bobbie Jo says that Clara Jean can have the puppy because someone has already claimed it. About that time a man walks down the street and Bobbie Jo gives him the puppy. The man claims to be F. Bam Morrison, advance man for Bohn’s United Circus Show. When the town hears that a circus is coming they all become excited. Mr. Morrison starts giving out free tickets in exchange for things such as food and lodging. He asks Bobbie Jo to be his assistant and help him hang up posters for the circus. Eventually he begins asking businesses in town to advertise with the circus, so the businesses start giving him money. Once he has $250.00 he heads out of town, but Bobbie Jo and Clara Jean decide to at least still have a parade.
I had heard of Wetumka’s Sucker Day Festival, so reading this fictionalized account of how that tradition started was really neat.
I would have students look up the real story of the Sucker Day Festival, and if possible even take them to it. ( )