Burnham Breaker

"Burnham Breaker" by Homer Greene is a story set in a late 1800s Pennsylvania coal-mining town, where Ralph, a boy searching for who he is and where he belongs, finds his life changed by Robert Burnham, a kind manager. The story begins in a coal breaker, where young boys work hard dreaming of escape. When Burnham surprises them with a trip to the circus as a reward, it shows his caring nature and hints at a special connection with Ralph. As Ralph's history is revealed, the book explores themes of finding yourself, dealing with loss, and the tough lives of working people during the time of big industry.