Subject
Runaway teenagers -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
Horatio Alger
Driven from Home; Or, Carl Crawford's Experience
"Driven from Home; Or, Carl Crawford's Experience" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a novel written during the late 19th century. It tells the story of a young boy named Carl Crawford, who at the age of sixteen, finds himself estranged from his wealthy home due to conflicts with his stepmother and stepbrother, leading him to embark on a journey of self-discovery and hard work as he seeks to establish his own identity and earn a living. The opening of the book introduces Carl as he sets out on his quest with very little money but a strong sense of determination. Having experienced the oppressive presence of his stepmother and feeling neglected by his father, Carl decides to leave home to find his own way in the world. As he travels, he encounters both friends and adversaries, including a supportive schoolmate named Gilbert, who assists him in navigating social challenges, and he also faces the maliciousness of his stepbrother, Peter. The beginning sets a tone of resilience and hardship as Carl grapples with the struggles of adolescence against the backdrop of family conflict.
Horatio Alger
Tony, the Hero; Or, A Brave Boy's Adventures with a Tramp
"Tony, the Hero; Or, A Brave Boy's Adventures with a Tramp" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Tony, a 14-year-old boy who leads a vagrant life alongside his uncle, Rudolph, a dark and suspicious tramp. The narrative explores themes of resilience, the desire for a better life, and the quest for identity as Tony grapples with his situation and dreams of a stable future. The opening of the book introduces Tony and Rudolph trudging through a country town in New York. As they converse, it becomes apparent that Tony is weary of the life of a tramp and wishes to break free from it, while Rudolph believes in the independence of their lifestyle. The dynamics of their relationship highlight Tony's internal struggle between loyalty to his guardian and the yearning for a more conventional life. Despite feeling stuck, Tony manages to assert his desire for change, setting the stage for his eventual quest for self-discovery and belonging.
Horatio Alger
Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad
"Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a novel written in the late 19th century. This work follows the journey of the main character, Walter Conrad, a young boy faced with numerous adversities, as he strives for success and self-improvement in life. The story emphasizes themes of hard work, perseverance, and the moral responsibilities of youth, making it a likely inspirational tale for young readers. The opening of the story introduces Walter Conrad as he travels by train through Wisconsin with a carpetbag, reflecting on his recent past filled with challenges including the loss of his father and financial distress. He has come to Portville under an assumed name, "Gilbert Howard," to investigate the integrity of a businessman believed to have wronged his father. Along the way, we meet various characters, including General Wall, a wealthy man with connections to Walter's father's investment, and his arrogant son, John Wall. Walter's determination to uncover the truth about his father's lost fortune sets the stage for the personal growth and moral lessons that will develop throughout the narrative.
Frank V. Webster
Jack the runaway; or, On the road with a circus
"Jack the Runaway; or, On the Road with a Circus" by Frank V. Webster is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a young boy named Jack Allen, who lives under the strict care of Professor Klopper while his parents are away on a trip. Tired of his guardian's harsh treatment and longing for fun, Jack decides to escape his confines and sneak out to attend a local vaudeville show, setting off a series of adventurous challenges as he fends for himself. The opening portion introduces us to Jack's strained relationship with Professor Klopper, who emphasizes discipline over enjoyment. Jack's fleeting dreams of attending the vaudeville show and finding friends turn into rebellion when he sells his catching glove to buy a ticket. His determination to enjoy life and break free from the professor's rule leads him to sneak out, prompting fear and excitement. Faced with adversity, including a false accusation from Professor Klopper regarding a stolen gold cup, Jack ultimately opts to run away, becoming determined to chart his own course despite numerous challenges that lie ahead.
Horatio Alger
Ben Bruce: Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy
"Ben Bruce: Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a coming-of-age novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Ben Bruce, a determined young boy who grapples with the harsh realities of life as he confronts his cruel stepfather and his yearning for a better future in the bustling city of New York. Throughout his journey, Ben's bravery and resilience shine through as he faces various challenges and seeks independence. At the start of the narrative, readers are introduced to Ben and his tumultuous relationship with his stepfather, Jacob Winter, who scolds him for giving food to two tramps. Tensions rise as Jacob insists Ben abandon his dreams of furthering his education, which leads Ben to contemplate leaving home to seek his fortune in New York. After a mix of adventures, including thwarting a robber and earning praise for his bravery, the narrative sets up Ben's arrival in Boston, marking the beginning of his journey towards self-discovery and hope for a brighter future amidst adversity.
Harry Castlemon
Tom Newcombe; Or, the Boy of Bad Habits
"Tom Newcombe; Or, the Boy of Bad Habits" by Harry Castlemon is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Tom Newcombe, a fourteen-year-old boy from a wealthy family who struggles with numerous bad habits and a discontented attitude despite having every material comfort available to him. As he contemplates his future, Tom frequently shifts his ambitions between various careers, most prominently a life at sea, indicating a deep-seated yearning for adventure overlayed with his aversion to the hard work that accompanies it. The opening of the book introduces us to Tom, lounging in his yard and lamenting his lack of good fortune, which he largely attributes to his inability to focus or apply himself. Although his father, a successful ship owner, has provided him with every conceivable luxury, Tom's careless habits make him increasingly unhappy and lead to struggles with academia. Despite his grand dreams of becoming a sailor, his father's insistence on education stands as a barrier. After persistent pleading, Tom eventually secures grudging permission to go to sea on one of his father's ships. However, he quickly discovers that the reality of ship life is markedly different from his romantic notions, fraught with hard labor and bullying from the crew, setting the stage for a lesson in humility and responsibility.
Emma Leslie
A gypsy against her will : $b or, Worth her weight in gold
"A Gypsy Against Her Will: or, Worth Her Weight in Gold" by Emma Leslie is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Lizzie, a young girl who struggles against the confines of her domestic service and longs for a life away from servitude. The novel explores themes of freedom, identity, and the consequences of rash decisions as Lizzie's desire for independence leads her into the clutches of a dubious fortune-teller and a traveling show. At the start of the novel, we meet Lizzie, who expresses her frustration about working as a servant and her desire to return home to help her mother with laundry. After a tense argument with her mother about her dissatisfaction with her current life, Lizzie goes out to meet a friend but encounters Mrs. Stanley, a fortune-teller from a nearby fair. Intrigued by the prospect of a more exciting life, Lizzie is drawn into a world of deception that promises her freedom but instead leads her to a dark fate as she becomes ensnared in Mrs. Stanley's manipulations. As the narrative unfolds, Lizzie’s initial hope and excitement rapidly transform into regret, with her yearning for a different existence turning into a grim reality.
Harry Castlemon
Guy Harris, the Runaway
"Guy Harris, the Runaway" by Harry Castlemon is a fiction novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story centers on Guy Harris, a spirited young boy who feels trapped by his family circumstances and dreams of adventure as a hunter and trapper in the prairies. The narrative unfolds with Guy's struggles against the oppressive atmosphere at home and sets the stage for his plans to run away from his restrictive life. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to a conflict between Guy and his peers that leads to a quarrel over a match-box and a moment of camaraderie when a friend intervenes. This incident highlights Guy's longing for autonomy and his desire to escape his mundane life, particularly under the watchful eye of his father and stepmother. As Guy schemes to accumulate the means for his getaway, he reflects on his frustrations at home, revealing the tension between his adventurous spirit and the limitations placed on him by his family. The opening portion sets the tone for a story of youthful rebellion, dreams of freedom, and the challenges of growing up in a restrictive environment.
Homer Greene
A Tale of the Tow-Path
"A Tale of the Tow-Path" by Homer Greene is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around a fourteen-year-old boy named Joe Gaston, who is struggling with feelings of rebellion and frustration towards his strict father. After a severe punishment for disobeying his father's commands and sneaking off to go fishing, Joe makes a rash decision to run away from home, setting off an adventure filled with challenges and self-discovery. The opening portion of the book introduces Joe as he grumbles about the hard labor of hoeing corn and dreams of the summer activities he wishes he could partake in instead. After sneaking away for a fishing trip, he is caught by his father, leading to a punishment that leaves him feeling hurt and resentful. This encounter plants the seed for Joe's decision to flee from home, aiming to reclaim his freedom. The narrative quickly unfolds into a poignant portrayal of his internal conflict as he grapples with the consequences of his disobedience and the love for his family, hinting at the trials he will face on his journey.
Margaret Penrose
Dorothy Dale's Great Secret
"Dorothy Dale's Great Secret" by Margaret Penrose is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows two close friends, Dorothy Dale and Tavia Travers, as they navigate life at Glenwood School amidst adventures and mischief. The narrative centers around their friendship, highlighting themes of loyalty and the challenges of growing up, all set against the backdrop of an all-girls school environment. The opening of the novel introduces Dorothy and Tavia in their dormitory, eagerly anticipating a ride in an automobile owned by Dorothy's aunt. Their playful banter reveals their contrasting personalities: Dorothy is more serious and cautious, while Tavia is lively and carefree. After a perilous automobile ride that nearly ends in disaster when the car approaches a broken bridge, the girls reflect on their friendship and the changes that may come with the approaching summer vacation. The chapter sets the tone for their adventures and misadventures at Glenwood, establishing the importance of their bond as they face various challenges together.
Horatio Alger
Tony the Tramp; Or, Right is Might
"Tony the Tramp; Or, Right is Might" by Horatio Alger Jr. is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story focuses on a young boy named Tony, who finds himself living as a tramp under the influence of an unscrupulous adult named Rudolph. Throughout the early chapters, Tony expresses his desire for a more stable and respectable life, in stark contrast to Rudolph’s life of petty crime and vagabondage. The opening of the book introduces Tony and Rudolph as they struggle with their life on the road. Tony is visibly weary and dissatisfied with their transient lifestyle, yearning for a home and honest work. As the story progresses, we learn that their relationship is strained due to differing aspirations: while Rudolph embraces the freedom of a lower-class lifestyle, Tony wishes to break free from it. This theme of aspiration versus circumstance is highlighted when Rudolph tries to lead Tony into a life of crime, prompting the boy to grapple with his sense of right and wrong amidst external pressures. The tension between their characters sets the stage for a story that explores morality, resilience, and the quest for a better future.
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