Rufus and Rose, or The Fortunes of Rough and Ready

Here are the adventures of Rufus, an older brother caring for his sister after leaving their drunk stepfather - captured by counterfeiters - will his honesty, hard work, and luck win out? Nineteenth century New York City is the perfect backdrop for this tale.

This is the final volume in a 6-book series that Horatio Alger, Jr. wrote for boys during the mid-1800s. Alger, Jr. focused on stories that show boys rising from impoverished circumstances to successful middle-class positions. These boys often found mentors who helped them improve their situations. Alger, Jr.'s stories were somewhat Dickensian in focusing on New York City runaways, bootblacks, luggage carriers, newsboys, etc., but they were written on a level for boys to enjoy. (Lynette Caulkins)