Tattered Tom


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Reproduction of the original: Tattered Tom by Horatio Alger




Tattered Tom or The Story of a Street Arab


Book Description

When, three years since, the author published "Ragged Dick," he was far from anticipating the flattering welcome it would receive, or the degree of interest which would be excited by his pictures of street life in New York. The six volumes which comprised his original design are completed, but the subject is not exhausted. There are yet other phases of street life to be described, and other classes of street Arabs, whose fortunes deserve to be chronicled. "Tattered Tom" is therefore presented to the public as the initial volume of a new series of six stories, which may be regarded as a continuation of the "Ragged Dick Series." Some surprise may be felt at the discovery that Tom is a girl; but I beg to assure my readers that she is not viiione of the conventional kind. Though not without her good points, she will be found to differ very widely in tastes and manners from the young ladies of twelve usually to be met in society. I venture to hope that she will become a favorite in spite of her numerous faults, and that no less interest will be felt in her fortunes than in those of the heroes of earlier volumes. New York, April, 1871.




Tattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street Arab


Book Description

In 'Tattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street Arab' by Horatio Jr. Alger, readers are taken on a journey through the bustling streets of a city, where a young boy named Tom navigates the challenges of poverty and survival. Alger's descriptive prose and vivid imagery immerse the reader in the harsh realities faced by street children, highlighting themes of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity. The book is written in a straightforward and accessible style, making it suitable for readers of all ages, while also serving as a valuable historical snapshot of urban life in the 19th century. Horatio Jr. Alger, known for his popular 'rags-to-riches' stories, drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of society to create compelling tales of personal transformation. His own background as a minister and social reformer likely influenced his choice to write about marginalized individuals striving for success in a society that often overlooked their struggles. I highly recommend 'Tattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street Arab' to readers interested in classic literature, social issues, and tales of resilience. Alger's poignant storytelling and timeless themes make this book a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience.




Report


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The New American Studies


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Little Strangers


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When Massachusetts passed America's first comprehensive adoption law in 1851, the usual motive for taking in an unrelated child was presumed to be the need for cheap labor. But by 1929 -- the first year that every state had an adoption law -- the adoptee's main function was seen as emotional. Little Strangers examines the representations of adoption and foster care produced over the intervening years. Claudia Nelson argues that adoption texts reflect changing attitudes toward many important social issues, including immigration and poverty, heredity and environment, individuality and citizenship, gender, and the family. She examines orphan fiction for children, magazine stories and articles, legal writings, social work conference proceedings, and discussions of heredity and child psychology. Nelson's ambitious scope provides for an analysis of the extent to which specialist and mainstream adoption discourse overlapped, as well as the ways in which adoption and foster care had captivated the public imagination.




Ben, the Luggage Boy, Or, Among the Wharves


Book Description

Ten-year-old Ben Brandon has run away from his home in Cedarville, Pennsylvania after his father has punished him for something he did not do. He survives on the streets of New York City by becoming a newsboy and a "luggage-smasher," making enough money to return home six years later as a prosperious young entrepeneur.




The Publishers Weekly


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Risen From the Ranks


Book Description

Reprint of the original, first published in 1874.