Tom Thatcher's Fortune

"Tom Thatcher's Fortune" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a late 19th-century story about a sixteen-year-old named Tom Thatcher who toils in a shoe factory to provide for his family after his father's puzzling death in the California gold rush. It's a story about growing up, dealing with social class differences, having big goals, and not giving up when things get tough, all while Tom tries to make things better for himself and his family. We meet Tom after a tiring day at work, sharing a simple meal with his mother and sister, quickly understanding the family’s struggles after losing their father. As they talk about his father’s last letter and a possible lost fortune, Tom shows his strong will to find out the truth about what happened to his father. The story begins a journey full of competition, discovering who you are, and deeply wanting a better future, contrasting his ordinary life with the lives of richer people around him.