That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine

"That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine" by Horace Fletcher is a plea for sweeping changes in how society treats vulnerable children. The book kicks off during the patriotic excitement of the Spanish-American War but quickly shifts focus to the neglected children of America's cities. The author introduces us to a desperate young boy begging for help from the police, revealing the grim life of children left to fend for themselves. This encounter sparks a call to action: advocating that society needs to act like a "social quarantine" to protect these kids from bad influences. The author argues that society should focus on the root causes of their neglect. Instead of just dealing with the consequences like crime, the author champions a comprehensive approach of reform that could save these children and turn them into valuable members of society.