James Otis

Born in Maine in 1848, James Otis Kaler was an American journalist and author who wrote mainly for young readers under the pen name James Otis. His best-known book, Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus (1881), drew on his firsthand familiarity with circus life and helped make him a popular name in children's fiction.

Kaler wrote a remarkable number of books, especially adventure stories and historical novels for boys, and he also used other pen names, including Amy Prentice, Harry Prentice, and Lt. James K. Orton. Alongside his fiction work, he had a varied career that included newspaper work and editorial roles.

He died in 1912, but his books remained widely read for many years afterward. Today he is remembered as a hardworking storyteller from the great age of American juvenile fiction, with a gift for lively plots and clear, engaging prose.