Phil, the Fiddler

"Phil, the Fiddler" by Horatio Alger, Jr. details the hard lives of poor city kids in the late 1800s. The story follows Phil, a young Italian boy, who plays violin and sings in the streets of New York City earning money, but struggles with the unfair control of his boss. Even when things get really tough, like when his boss threatens him if he doesn’t bring home enough money, Phil stays hopeful. He has a close friend named Giacomo, and their friendship shows us how tough life is for kids living on the streets, dealing with poverty, mistreatment, and missing their homes in Italy.