Horatio Alger
Horatio Alger Jr. was an American author who wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security and comfort through good works. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on the United States from 1868 through to his death in 1899.
Dan, the Newsboy
A young newsboy struggles to make ends meet, faces adversity, and discovers his own strength in a world of unfair advantages.
By Horatio Alger
Brave and Bold; Or, The Fortunes of Robert Rushton
In a world of privilege and prejudice, a determined young man must confront a spiteful rival to protect his job, his integrity, and the possibility of love.
By Horatio Alger
Luke Walton
Amidst the grit of Chicago's streets, a newsboy's unwavering honesty becomes his greatest weapon as he fights for his family's honor and a chance at a better life.
By Horatio Alger
Ben Bruce: Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy
Watch as a courageous young boy escapes a harsh home life and journeys toward independence, facing challenges and triumphs on his path to a brighter tomorrow.
By Horatio Alger
The Erie Train Boy
In a city teeming with danger, a resourceful young train boy takes it upon himself to help a naive country boy while looking after his family.
By Horatio Alger
Mark Mason's Victory
In a city of stark contrasts, a determined young telegraph boy navigates wealth, poverty, and family secrets to forge his own path to success.
By Horatio Alger
Wait and Hope; Or, A Plucky Boy's Luck
After a boy loses his job, he leaves his small town to face humorous challenges with optimism as he tries to support his family.
By Horatio Alger
Tom Thatcher's Fortune
A young factory worker embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind his father's death and a potential lost fortune.
By Horatio Alger
Cast Upon the Breakers
Stripped of his fortune, a young man must navigate a world of trickery to prove that character matters more than wealth.
By Horatio Alger
The Young Outlaw; or, Adrift in the Streets
A cunning orphan flees his old life for the promise of a bustling city, unaware of the dangers that await him at every corner.
By Horatio Alger
Seeking His Fortune, and Other Dialogues
A young man leaves his worried family and familiar farm behind, hoping to find riches and a better life in the exciting city.
By Horatio Alger
Bound to Rise; Or, Up the Ladder
A poor, but determined young boy leaves home to make his own way in the world and uplift his family.
By Horatio Alger
Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son
A determined boy confronts bullies, poverty, and the looming threat of losing his home while holding onto hope for a better future and the importance of self-reliance.
By Horatio Alger
Bertha's Christmas Vision: An Autumn Sheaf
A child's Christmas Eve musings lead to a dream where she learns that the best gifts aren't found under a tree, but in faith, hope, and charity.
By Horatio Alger
Tattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street Arab
A spirited street sweeper's life transforms when she finds an opportunity to escape poverty and discover her true potential.
By Horatio Alger
Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Horatio Alger, Jr.
Discover a world of young heroes who rise above tough times with grit and good morals.
By Horatio Alger
Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune
A young boy's unwavering spirit is tested as he confronts deceit and fights for his family's honor and fortune.
By Horatio Alger
Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad
Disguised and facing adversity, a young man journeys to uncover the truth about his father's misfortune, testing his courage and morals along the way.
By Horatio Alger
Adrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the World
A courageous young woman challenges family expectations and leaves everything behind to find her own way in the world amidst grief, greed, and betrayal.
By Horatio Alger
Falling in with Fortune; Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary
** A desperate young man flees a cruel home and battles adversity, unexpectedly finding himself in the service of a rich woman while dodging a dangerous enemy.
By Horatio Alger