Disowned by her guardian in nineteenth-century New York City, seventeen-year-old Florence is befriended by Tom--a boy from the Bowery--with whom she has a surprising connection.
The Telegraph Boy" is a captivating novel written by Horatio Alger, a renowned author known for his inspiring stories of determination and success. The book takes readers on a compelling journey following the life of a young protagonist who rises from humble beginnings to triumph over adversity through hard work, integrity, and a bit of luck. "The Telegraph Boy" introduces readers to the world of telegraphy—a cutting-edge technology of the time. The protagonist, a resourceful and ambitious young boy, finds himself working as a telegraph messenger. As he immerses himself in this new world, he discovers the power of communication and the opportunities it can offer. "The Telegraph Boy" resonates with readers of all ages, emphasizing the importance of determination, integrity, and seizing opportunities. Alger's narrative serves as an inspiration for individuals facing adversity, reminding them that through hard work, honesty, and a bit of luck, they can overcome challenges and achieve their aspirations.
The Store Boy" is a captivating novel written by Horatio Alger, a prolific author known for his inspiring tales of perseverance and success. The book follows the journey of a young protagonist who rises from humble beginnings to achieve his dreams through hard work, determination, and moral fortitude. "The Store Boy" introduces the life of the protagonist, a determined and resilient boy who finds himself working in a small store. Despite facing various challenges and obstacles, he embraces his circumstances and exhibits unwavering dedication to his work. Throughout the narrative, Alger explores themes of ambition, integrity, and the transformative power of education. The protagonist's encounters with mentors, his commitment to self-improvement, and his unwavering work ethic propel him toward success, challenging the notion that one's background should limit their aspirations. Alger's writing style combines engaging storytelling with moral lessons, encouraging readers to embrace virtues such as honesty, perseverance, and empathy. As the protagonist navigates the ups and downs of his journey, he learns valuable life lessons that shape his character and guide him towards achieving his goals.
Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) was a 19th-century American author of approximately 135 dime novels. Many of his works are rags-to-riches stories of down-and-out boys who achieve success through hard work and moral virtue.
From the 1860's through the 1890s, Horatio Alger wrote hundreds of novels to teach young boys the merits of honesty, hard work, and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. As Carl Bode points out in his introduction, Horatio Alger filled a void in American literature and met scant competition both in the nature and the number of his works. Like his heroes, Alger rose to the top by chance, coincidence, and hard work. The hero of Ragged Dick is a veritable "diamond in the rough"—as innately virtuous as he is streetwise and cocky. Immediately popular with young readers, the novel also appealed to parents, who repsonded to its colorful espousal of the Protestant ethic. Struggling Upward, published nearly thirty years later, followed the same time-tested formulas, and despite critical indifference it, too, had mass appeal. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Ragged Dick (1868) is the first in a series of six novels by American author Horatio Alger. In each, Alger uses the Protestant work ethic as a template to not only examine the harsh realities of urban poverty, but provide a hopeful, concrete moral for his young readers. Dick is a teenage bootblack who lives and works on the streets of New York City. Despite his difficult circumstances, he never loses hope. Dick is determined to both survive and make it in life, and prides himself on his moral standards, refusing to lie, cheat, or steal to get ahead. When he is recognized for his honesty by local church figures and businessmen, they provide him opportunities to work. With the money he manages to save, Dick opens a bank account and begins to rent a modest apartment in the city. As he moves closer and closer to middle class life, Dick takes every chance he is offered and, most importantly, remains hopeful that his hard work and moral vision will not only pay off, but keep him grounded, respected, and alive. Horatio Alger’s Ragged Dick is a simple Bildungsroman with a valuable message that remains a classic work of young adult fiction to this day. Although Alger’s work was intended for young boys of an entirely different era, many of his themes ring true for our own. In a time of economic crisis and instability, hopeful stories of perseverance and hard work could be a welcome form of entertainment and education. Additionally, Alger’s novel provides a window onto America’s past, toward the very origin of the middle-class promise sought and attained by millions. The Protestant work ethic and the American Dream have been the nation’s defining myths for well over a century, and while there is ample room to criticize their motives and attainability, it is undeniable that they have shaped America’s history and people into what they are today. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Horatio Alger’s Ragged Dick is a classic of young adult fiction and American literature reimagined for modern readers.
Though not Alger's first book, Ragged Dick, published in 1867, was the beginning of his series of stories of poor boys who rose from [rags] to riches. ... Of course, little ragged Dick overcomes poverty and scorn to win success as the distinguished Richard Hunter. He, in turn, becomes the protector of Mark, the match boy, hero of the subsequent Alger novel."--Cover.
The Young Explorer, Claiming His Fortune is part of a series of stories of boys working hard and achieving the American dream. Alger wrote these to help instill the principle of Strive and Succeed, Personal Growth and Work to Achieve the American Dream. Horatio Alger, Jr. authored about seventy books. He was the son of a clergyman, graduated from Harvard. His stories are pure, inspiring and as endearing today as they were when first published.
This will help us customize your experience to showcase the most relevant content to your age group
Please select from below
Login
Not registered?
Sign up
Already registered?
Success – Your message will goes here
We'd love to hear from you!
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.