Showing results by author "Horatio Alger Jr." in All Categories

Ernest Ray is a young boy who sets out to reclaim the inheritance that was unjustly with held from his father and given to a cousin. (Introduction by Abigail Rasmussen)

Helping Himself, or Grant Thornton's Ambition deals with the grit and determination of Grant, a 15 year old farmer's boy whose father is dead and in order to pay his minister father's debts, and to help his mother deal with their abject poverty young Grant postpones his college education to take a job as a Wall Street broker's clerk. The first step is to deal with the avaricious and greedy man who is keeping them from obtaining the meager amount due them and which will at least allow them to eat. Grant's wits, pluck and sheer determination are tested time and time again and each time he rises ...

Horatio Alger, better known for his juvenile fiction, also penned some great poetry. His Ballads, including the 8 war poems and his odes, are collected in this volume. - Summary by Carolin

A poor family is surprised with an infant on their doorstep on New Year’s Eve with a note and monetary support requesting them to raise the child. Eight years later, the child is stolen and the family is put into more trouble trying to find her. This is a story of how love and good morals are reward with a fairy tale “happily ever after” ending. (Summary by Sharon Kilmer)

In this third installment from the “Ragged Dick” series by Horatio Algers, Jr., the reader is reacquainted with some old friends and meets young Mark Manton. Mark is a match boy plagued by bad luck and an even worse guardian. But, with new friends, hard work, and smart choices, Mark may just find his luck taking a turn for the better. summary by tfaulder

A young boy named Ben runs away to make a life of his own in the big city. He learns very quickly that this will be a lot harder than his imagination prepared him for. Summary by Tori Faulder

In this last book of the Ragged Dick series, Rufus and Rose seem to be on the best path forward following their adventures in our previous story, but an old foe returns intent on destroying all Rufus's work and progress toward a good life. - Summary by Tori Faulder

Rough and Ready: Life Among the New York Newsboys follows a determined young boy struggling to survive on the rough streets of 19th-century New York City. As he fights to protect his younger sister from a cruel stepfather, con artists, and criminals, he must rely on his wits, resilience, and the kindness of newfound friends. A heartwarming and action-packed rags-to-riches tale from Horatio Alger, Jr.

In Fame and Fortune, Richard Hunter, once known as Ragged Dick, navigates the treacherous waters of ambition and morality. With the support of his friend Henry, he upgrades his living situation and lands a promising job. However, his journey takes a dark turn when a jealous co-worker frames him for theft, leading to a stint in jail. Yet, Richard’s resilience shines through as he is exonerated, reinstated, and ultimately promoted. Witness his rise to success as he proves that luck and strong principles can indeed lead to greatness. (Written by Alys Attewater and Barry Eads)

“I wish we weren’t so terribly poor, Grant, sighed Mrs. Thornton, her voice filled with despair. Is there something that has prompted this feeling, mother?” Horatio Alger, Jr. (January 13, 1832 – July 18, 1899) was a prolific 19th-century American author, renowned for his inspirational tales chronicling the journeys of bootblacks, newsboys, peddlers, and other underprivileged youth as they navigate their way from hardship to respectable middle-class lives. His stories of boys achieving success with the guidance of older mentors captivated readers during his time. In this true ...

John Linden is an immensely wealthy man, but his fortune comes with complications. The rightful heirs to his estate are his nephew, Curtis Waring, his niece Florence Linden, and a long-lost son—if he is still alive. In a twist of fate, John insists that Florence and Curtis marry if she wishes to claim her share of the inheritance. Meanwhile, a young boy named Dodger is sent to steal one of John’s wills to ensure Curtis inherits everything. However, when Florence intervenes and befriends Dodger, she unexpectedly chooses a life of adventure over wealth, leaving her uncles mansion behind. Can...

Ragged Dick details the adventures of Richard Hunter, a homeless boy who earns a living shining shoes on the streets of Manhattan in the mid 1800s. Inspired by a customer he meets, Dick resolves to improve his situation, finds a roommate who can act as his tutor, and overcomes adversity with wit and good cheer. First published in book form in 1866, Ragged Dick was Alger's first great publishing success.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) was the author of over 100 adventure books, many focusing on a poor boy's struggle to overcome poverty and adversity. Alger's books are fast-paced page-turners that have enjoyed immense popularity while advocating generosity, honesty, industry, thrift, temperance, education and bravery. Walter Conrad is sent to Portville to see if his father's estate is being defrauded. Though only 15, Walter obtains the job of school teacher - and finds it challenging to maintain order in the school.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) was the author of over 100 adventure books, many focusing on a poor boy's struggle to overcome poverty and adversity. Alger's books are fast-paced page-turners that have enjoyed immense popularity while advocating generosity, honesty, industry, thrift, temperance, education and bravery. Mark the Match Boy recounts the adventures of a boy ill suited to life on the streets of New York and his fortunate association with Richard Hunter.

This is a rags-to-riches tale aout an honest, ambitious, and generous young bootblack from lower Manhattan in the late 1800s.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) was the author of over 100 adventure books, many focusing on a poor boy's struggle to overcome poverty and adversity. Alger's books are fast-paced page-turners that have enjoyed immense popularity while advocating generosity, honesty, industry, thrift, temperance, education and brovery. Alger was born near Boston, attended Harvard and moved to New York City in 1866. Alger is one of America's all-time, best-selling fiction authors. Fame and Fortune continues the story of Richard Hunter begun in Ragged Dick with a plot by his enemies....

In this volume we bring together men of the cloth, those people of faith who spent most of their lives in devotional duties in the service of one so they could, in their spare time, serve another.

In Helping Himself, or Grant Thorntons Ambition, we follow the inspiring journey of Grant, a determined 15-year-old farmers boy facing the harsh realities of life after the death of his father. With his familys financial struggles weighing heavily on him, Grant makes the brave decision to put his college dreams on hold and take a job as a Wall Street brokers clerk. His first challenge? Confronting the greedy man withholding the meager funds owed to his family, which are crucial for their survival. As Grant navigates a world filled with obstacles, his tenacity and cleverness are put to the ...

Join young Ernest Ray as he embarks on a thrilling quest to reclaim the inheritance that was unfairly snatched from his father and handed over to a cousin. Will he uncover the truth and restore justice to his family? (Introduction by Abigail Rasmussen)

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) wrote over 100 ‘rags-to-riches’ novels, often about teenage boys forced by circumstances to earn their own living selling newspapers, blacking boots, carrying luggage, or tending store.