Ragged Dick

Description

A wonderful example of the late 19th century optimism in between the major depressions that plagued America during those years, this inspirational story for children and early adolescents imparts the values of loyalty, hard work, cooperation, persistence.

The struggle of the orphans, the advantages of the privileged class, the thieves, the confidence men, the unforgiving hardness of poverty in the pre-Jacob Riis days are all there.

“Ragged Dick” fulfilled this “Dream” by making his way up in society, and eventually making a wealthy man of himself.

A plucky street boy who smokes, gambles, and speaks ungrammatically, Dick is also honest and hardworking. A quintessential novel of adventure, romance, and coming-of-age, it is also an exhilarating tale of one boy’s metamorphosis from dirty street urchin to gentleman. Although many scoff at his work today, Horatio Alger Jr. remains the quintessential boys’ author of the 19th century.

Content rating: High Maturity