HORATIO ALGER, JR.
The enormous sales of the books of Horatio Alger, Jr., show the greatness of his popularity among the boys, and prove that he is one of their most favored writers. I am told that more than half a million copies altogether have been sold, and that all the large circulating libraries in the country have several complete sets, of which only two or three volumes are ever on the shelves at one time. If this is true, what thousands and thousands of boys have read and are reading Mr. Alger’s books! His peculiar style of stories, often imitated but never equaled, have taken a hold upon the young people, and, despite their similarity, are eagerly read as soon as they appear.
Mr. Alger became famous with the publication of that undying book, “Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York.” It was his first book for young people, and its success was so great that he immediately devoted himself to that kind of writing. It was a new and fertile field for a writer then, and Mr. Alger’s treatment of it at once caught the fancy of the boys. “Ragged Dick” first appeared in 1868, and ever since then it has been selling steadily, until now it is estimated that about 200,000 copies of the series have been sold.
—Pleasant Hours for Boys and Girls.
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.’S POPULAR JUVENILES.
| LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES—Second Series. | ||
| 4 vols. | $4.00 | |
| Try and Trust. | Risen from the Ranks. | |
| Bound to Rise. | Herbert Carter’s Legacy. | |
| BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES. | ||
| 4 vols. | By Horatio Alger, Jr. | $4.00 |
| Brave and Bold. | Shifting for Himself. | |
| Jack’s Ward. | Wait and Hope. | |
| NEW WORLD SERIES. | ||
| 3 vols. | By Horatio Alger, Jr. | $3.00 |
| Digging for Gold. | Facing the World. | In a New World. |
| VICTORY SERIES. | ||
| 3 vols. | By Horatio Alger, Jr. | $3.00 |
| Only an Irish Boy. | Adrift in the City. | |
| Victor Vane, or the Young Secretary. | ||
| FRANK AND FEARLESS SERIES. | ||
| 3 vols. | By Horatio Alger, Jr. | $3.00 |
| Frank Hunter’s Peril. | Frank and Fearless. | |
| The Young Salesman. | ||
| GOOD FORTUNE LIBRARY. | ||
| 3 vols. | By Horatio Alger, Jr. | $3.00 |
| Walter Sherwood’s Probation. | A Boy’s Fortune. | |
| The Young Bank Messenger. | ||
| RUPERT’S AMBITION. | ||
| 1 vol. | By Horatio Alger, Jr. | $1.00 |
| JED, THE POOR-HOUSE BOY. | ||
| 1 vol. | By Horatio Alger, Jr. | $1.00 |
A writer for boys should have an abundant sympathy with them. He should be able to enter into their plans, hopes, and aspirations. He should learn to look upon life as they do. Boys object to be written down to. A boy’s heart opens to the man or writer who understands him.
—From Writing Stories for Boys, by Horatio Alger, Jr.