Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates

Summary: Hans Brinker and his sister, Gretel, have grown up in poverty ever since his father lost his mind in an accident when they were very young. Given the opportunity to replace his homemade wooden skates with real blades in time to enter a significant race, Hans instead offers the small sum of money to a doctor in hopes of seeing his father cured.

This story, written in 1865 as a contemporary novel, is set in the Netherlands. Vivid descriptions set the stage for a heartwarming story that is completely foreign to modern America.

Rating: 5/5 stars.