The Great Wheel is Robert Lawson's final children's book, published in 1957,[1] the year of his death.

The story's protagonist is Irish-born Conn Kilroy, who leaves Ireland for the United States in the 1890s at the urging of his Uncle Michael.

While on board, he meets an attractive German girl named Trudy, who is traveling to Wisconsin.

He works hard with his newfound friend Martin Brennan to build it.

After the giant wheel is installed at the exposition, Conn fulfills his aunt's prophecy by riding on it.