#boot blacks

I can admit that I have been slacking on the blog and I'm extremely bummed because I was really cranking out the reviews over the summer. The worst part is I was starting to get the feeling that I had some consistent followers, maybe a couple dedicated fans (Come back!). To top it off, the activity that I replaced blogging with was gardening, but I woke up the other day to my garden half eaten by raccoons. I'm sad and assume you have been sad at one point in your life, so in light of the mood this book is a perfect fit for today.

       "Ragged Dick," is a pick me up book for the ages. You can't finish this book and not be optimistic about life. Basically, this homeless orphan kid in New York shines shoes for a living. He can't read, he can't write, he can't add, and it doesn't say this in the book but I’m assuming he wouldn’t do very well in a Bio-Chemistry class either. Dick has two good options for sleeping arrangement at night, the alleyway or the dumpster. You get it, he's po, (poor). But, things start to look up as he works hard and treats people with respect; Rags to riches. I don't want to give too much away but the ending is really happy yet doesn't seem ridiculously unrealistic.

If you are looking for a book you can read in two or three hours that will cheer you up, this is the book for you. Also, you get a pretty interesting view of the 1800's, (If you’re into history and what not). I wouldn’t put this on the essential reading list but it is definitely worth your time.

Pages: 186

Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.

Genre: Historical Fiction