Fairy Tales and stories for childrens. Book 20

Fairy Tales and stories for childrens. Book 20: 1. Rilla of Ingleside; 2. Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward; 3. Rough and Ready; or, Life Among the New York Newsboys.


1. Rilla of Ingleside

Published: 1921

Rilla of Ingleside is the eighth of nine books in the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery, but was the sixth "Anne" novel in publication order. 

Set almost a decade after Rainbow Valley, Europe is on the brink of the First World War, and Anne's youngest daughter Rilla is an irrepressible almost-15-year-old, excited about her first adult party and blissfully unaware of the chaos that the Western world is about to enter. Her parents worry because Rilla seems not to have any ambition, is not interested in attending college, and is more concerned with having fun. (In an aside, it is revealed that Marilla has died; her date of death is not specified but Rilla states it was before she was old enough to know her very well.)


2. Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward

Third volume in the Ragged Dick Series.

Published: 1869

Highly reflective of Horatio Alger's "rags-to-riches" recipe for juvenile fiction, Mark, the Match Boy extols the virtues of morality, honesty and integrity through the experiences of Mark Manton, a poor, parentless boy forced to make his way on the streets of New York. In the novel, Richard Hunter (formerly known as Ragged Dick) takes Mark under his wing and helps him triumph over adversity and poverty. Sometimes referred to as Mark the Match Boy, or Richard Hunter's Ward, it is the third in Alger's six-volume Ragged Dick series. 


3. Rough and Ready; or, Life Among the New York Newsboys

Fourth volume in the Ragged Dick Series.

Published: 1869

Alger is the original rags-to-riches guy, often credited with inventing the strive-and-succeed spirit that inspired boys to work hard and advance themselves in order to achieve the American Dream. This theme resonates throughout his numerous writings. This is the fourth volume of his Ragged Dick Series. Alger writes in the Preface: Its second title, Life Among the New York Newsboys describes its character and purpose. While the young hero may be regarded as a favorable example of his class, the circumstances of his lot, aggravated by the persecutions of an intemperate parent, are unfortunately too common, as any one at all familiar with the history of the neglected street children in our cities will readily acknowledge. If Rough and Ready has more virtues and fewer faults than most of his class, his history will at least teach the valuable lesson that honesty and good principles are not incompatible even with the greatest social disadvantages, and will, it is hoped, serve as an incentive and stimulus to the young people who may read it.