Andy Gordon; Or, The Fortunes of A Young Janitor

"Andy Gordon; Or, The Fortunes of A Young Janitor" by Horatio Alger Jr. is a tale of one young man against the world, set in the late 1800s. It showcases themes of social class, identity, and determination by following a sixteen-year-old named Andy Gordon, who works as a janitor to care for himself and his widowed mother. The story is set in Hamilton Academy under the strict eye of Dr. Euclid. The book looks at Andy finding himself pitted against Herbert Ross, a privileged and mean classmate who seeks to undermine Andy at every turn. The book follows Andy as he faces conflict and finds ways to hold onto pride and dignity in the face of hardship, both at school and at home.