Paul the Peddler vs World's fair: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Boys, Children, Fiction

Cover of Paul the Peddler

Paul the Peddler Horatio Alger, Jr. · 1871 ★★★★☆ 3.9 161 pages · ≈ 2 h 59 m · Easy Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of World's fair

World's fair E. L. Doctorow · 1985 ★★★★☆ 3.9 288 pages · ≈ 5 h 20 m · Light Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.9 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
Paul the Peddler is the quicker read — about 2 hours vs 5 for World's fair.
Paul the Peddler is the easier read (Easy), World's fair more demanding (Light).

Side by side