Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates By: Mary Mapes Dodge (1830-1905)
Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge is a heartwarming and enchanting story set in the Netherlands. The book follows the lives of the Brinker siblings, Hans and Gretel, as they navigate their way through various challenges and difficulties. The story centers around a grand ice-skating race, where the winner receives a pair of silver skates as the ultimate prize. Hans, a talented skater, dreams of winning the race in order to help his family, who are impoverished and struggling. Alongside his sister Gretel, who is just as determined and hardworking, they face various setbacks while striving to achieve their goals. What stands out in this book is the strong emphasis on perseverance, determination, and family bonds. The Brinker family's struggle against poverty is portrayed with sensitivity, and the resilience exhibited by the children is truly inspiring. The author beautifully illustrates the importance of never giving up, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Throughout the book, Dodge seamlessly weaves in Dutch folklore and cultural aspects, providing readers with a vivid and immersive experience. The descriptions of the picturesque Netherlands landscape and its iconic windmills add an extra layer of charm to the narrative. Furthermore, the character development in the story is exceptional. Hans Brinker emerges as a courageous and selfless young boy, willing to sacrifice his own dreams for the sake of his family. Gretel, on the other hand, showcases unwavering determination and showcases a strong female character who is just as capable as her male counterpart. The narrative is well-paced, keeping readers engaged and invested in the outcome of the Brinker siblings' journey. Dodge's prose is evocative and beautifully descriptive, allowing readers to effortlessly imagine themselves in the midst of the Dutch countryside, or gliding on the icy canals. Overall, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates is a timeless classic that captures the essence of perseverance, familial love, and bravery. It is a story that speaks to the power of hope and determination, and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams. Dodge's writing style and strong character development make this book a must-read for both children and adults alike. First Page: HANS BRINKER Or, The Silver Skates To my father, JAMES J. MAPES, this book is dedicated in gratitude and love HANS BRINKER OR THE SILVER SKATES BY MARY MAPES DODGE [Illustration] ILLUSTRATED BY EDNA COOKE PHILADELPHIA GEORGE W. JACOBS & COMPANY PUBLISHERS [Illustration] PREFACE This little work aims to combine the instructive features of a book of travels with the interest of a domestic tale. Throughout its pages the descriptions of Dutch localities, customs, and general characteristics, have been given with scrupulous care. Many of its incidents are drawn from life, and the story of Raff Brinker is founded strictly upon fact. While acknowledging my obligations to many well known writers on Dutch history, literature, and art, I turn with especial gratitude to those kind Holland friends, who, with generous zeal, have taken many a backward glance at their country for my sake, seeing it as it looked twenty years ago, when the Brinker home stood unnoticed in sunlight and shadow. Should this simple narrative serve to give my young readers a just idea of Holland and its resources, or present true pictures of its inhabitants and their every day life, or free them from certain current prejudices concerning that noble and enterprising people, the leading desire in writing it will have been satisfied... Continue reading book >>

Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates By: Mary Mapes Dodge (1830-1905)

Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge is a heartwarming and enchanting story set in the Netherlands. The book follows the lives of the Brinker siblings, Hans and Gretel, as they navigate their way through various challenges and difficulties.

The story centers around a grand ice-skating race, where the winner receives a pair of silver skates as the ultimate prize. Hans, a talented skater, dreams of winning the race in order to help his family, who are impoverished and struggling. Alongside his sister Gretel, who is just as determined and hardworking, they face various setbacks while striving to achieve their goals.

What stands out in this book is the strong emphasis on perseverance, determination, and family bonds. The Brinker family's struggle against poverty is portrayed with sensitivity, and the resilience exhibited by the children is truly inspiring. The author beautifully illustrates the importance of never giving up, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Throughout the book, Dodge seamlessly weaves in Dutch folklore and cultural aspects, providing readers with a vivid and immersive experience. The descriptions of the picturesque Netherlands landscape and its iconic windmills add an extra layer of charm to the narrative.

Furthermore, the character development in the story is exceptional. Hans Brinker emerges as a courageous and selfless young boy, willing to sacrifice his own dreams for the sake of his family. Gretel, on the other hand, showcases unwavering determination and showcases a strong female character who is just as capable as her male counterpart.

The narrative is well-paced, keeping readers engaged and invested in the outcome of the Brinker siblings' journey. Dodge's prose is evocative and beautifully descriptive, allowing readers to effortlessly imagine themselves in the midst of the Dutch countryside, or gliding on the icy canals.

Overall, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates is a timeless classic that captures the essence of perseverance, familial love, and bravery. It is a story that speaks to the power of hope and determination, and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams. Dodge's writing style and strong character development make this book a must-read for both children and adults alike.

First Page:

HANS BRINKER

Or, The Silver Skates

To my father, JAMES J. MAPES, this book is dedicated in gratitude and love

HANS BRINKER

OR THE SILVER SKATES

BY MARY MAPES DODGE

[Illustration]

ILLUSTRATED BY

EDNA COOKE

PHILADELPHIA GEORGE W. JACOBS & COMPANY PUBLISHERS

[Illustration]

PREFACE

This little work aims to combine the instructive features of a book of travels with the interest of a domestic tale. Throughout its pages the descriptions of Dutch localities, customs, and general characteristics, have been given with scrupulous care. Many of its incidents are drawn from life, and the story of Raff Brinker is founded strictly upon fact.

While acknowledging my obligations to many well known writers on Dutch history, literature, and art, I turn with especial gratitude to those kind Holland friends, who, with generous zeal, have taken many a backward glance at their country for my sake, seeing it as it looked twenty years ago, when the Brinker home stood unnoticed in sunlight and shadow.

Should this simple narrative serve to give my young readers a just idea of Holland and its resources, or present true pictures of its inhabitants and their every day life, or free them from certain current prejudices concerning that noble and enterprising people, the leading desire in writing it will have been satisfied... Continue reading book >>

eBook links
Wikipedia – Mary Mapes Dodge
Wikipedia – Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac