Tattered Tom Or, The Story of a Street Arab


Book Description

"Tattered Tom: Or, The Story of a Street Arab" by Jr. Horatio Alger epitomizes American literature with its rags-to-riches narrative and exploration of urban poverty. Alger, renowned for his tales of self-reliance and social mobility, presents the captivating coming-of-age story of Tom, a street Arab navigating the harsh realities of life in the city. Set against the backdrop of social realism, Alger delves into Tom's journey of hardship, resilience, and character development. As a classic example of juvenile and inspirational fiction, "Tattered Tom" illustrates the transformative power of moral values and the pursuit of self-improvement. Through Tom's trials and triumphs, Alger imparts timeless lessons on perseverance, resilience, and the importance of self-reliance. Alger's narrative not only entertains but also inspires readers of all ages to overcome adversity and strive for success. "Tattered Tom" serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the human capacity for growth and the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their circumstances. Alger's portrayal of Tom's journey resonates with readers, offering a poignant reflection on the universal themes of struggle, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life.




Tattered Tom, Or, The Story of a Street Arab


Book Description

A young girl named Tom runs away from her abusive guardian and finds out important information her origins.




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


Book Description

Bonded Leather binding




Tattered Tom


Book Description

Feisty, twelve-year-old Jenny, also known as Tattered Tom because of her ragged mix of clothing, survives in 1870's New York City by sweeping streets and avoiding her abusive guardian until a chance meeting with a sea captain and his sister brings a marked change to her life and fortunes.




Tattered Tom


Book Description

Reproduction of the original: Tattered Tom by Horatio Alger




Tattered Tom


Book Description

Horatio Alger, Jr. ( January 13, 1832 - July 18, 1899) was a prolific 19th-century American author, best known for his many juvenile novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on America during the Gilded Age.Essentially, all of Alger's juvenile novels share the same theme: a teenage boy works hard to escape poverty. Often though, it is not the hard work itself that rescues the boy from his fate, but rather some extraordinary act of bravery or honesty. The boy might return a large sum of lost money or rescue someone from an overturned carriage. This brings the boy-and his plight-to the attention of a wealthy individual.




The Dime Novel in Children's Literature


Book Description

With their rakish characters, sensationalist plots, improbable adventures and objectionable language (like swell and golly), dime novels in their heyday were widely considered a threat to the morals of impressionable youth. Roundly criticized by church leaders and educators of the time, these short, quick-moving, pocket-sized publications were also, inevitably, wildly popular with readers of all ages. This work looks at the evolution of the dime novel and at the authors, publishers, illustrators, and subject matter of the genre. Also discussed are related types of children's literature, such as story papers, chapbooks, broadsides, serial books, pulp magazines, comic books and today's paperback books. The author shows how these works reveal much about early American life and thought and how they reflect cultural nationalism through their ideological teachings in personal morality and ethics, humanitarian reform and political thought. Overall, this book is a thoughtful consideration of the dime novel's contribution to the genre of children's literature. Eight appendices provide a wealth of information, offering an annotated bibliography of dime novels and listing series books, story paper periodicals, characters, authors and their pseudonyms, and more. A reference section, index and illustrations are all included.