Hans Brinker; Or, The Silver Skates

by Mary Mapes Dodge

"Hans Brinker; Or, The Silver Skates" by Mary Mapes Dodge is a children's novel published in 1865. Set in early 19th-century Holland, it follows poor siblings Hans and Gretel Brinker as they dream of competing in a grand ice-skating race for silver skates. Their father suffers from a mysterious head injury that has left the family destitute. When Hans encounters a famous surgeon, he faces difficult choices between his own dreams and his family's desperate needs, learning about sacrifice, honor, and hope.