Driven from Home; Or, Carl Crawford's Experience

"Driven from Home; Or, Carl Crawford's Experience" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is the tale of sixteen-year-old Carl Crawford, who, after being pushed out of his affluent home because of issues with his stepmother and stepbrother, starts a journey of growth and labor to create his independence and make a living. The story starts with Carl, nearly broke but resolute, beginning his journey. Feeling ignored by his father and oppressed by his stepmother, he is determined to make his own path. Along the way, he meets both allies and enemies, such as another schoolmate, Gilbert, who helps him through tricky social moments, and his nasty stepbrother, Peter. The beginning establishes a mood of strength and trouble as Carl deals with being a teen in a harsh family situation.