Childrens Literature

Children rule the day in these tales. Most of these items are described more fully below. An additional work displayed is, on the far left: Horatio Alger, Jr., Ben’s Nugget; or, A Boy’s Search for Fortune: A Story of the Pacific Coast (Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Co., 1882). Alger (1832-1899) is best known for his rags-to-riches tales, which helped to popularize dime novels for boys. These “city stories” often featured a young boy’s struggle to succeed against the odds while commenting on the post Civil War rise of industrialism. Alger’s series included Ragged Dick (first published in 1867), Luck and Pluck, and Tattered Tom. The work on display is part of his Pacific Series, published from 1878 to 1882. Alger wrote more than 500 novels and short stories during lifetime, and the popularity of his works extended for several years beyond.

Promotional brochure for the San Diego State University Theatre for Young Audiences season, 1982-1983.
(Department of Theatre Records)

Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout
Victor Appleton
New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1910

Tom Swift led two lives. The initial set of tales of this high-school student inventor consisted of 40 books published from 1910 to 1941. This book is fifth in that series. The second series, The New Tom Swift, Jr. Adventure Series, ran from 1954 to 1971 and consisted of 33 books.

Scene from Boston’s Majestic Theatre production of Little Women, circa early 20th century.
(Adams Postcard Collection)

May wrote a series of Little Folks’
Books. This book, first in a series of
six focusing on Alice Parlin, (also
known as Dotty Dimple), was
originally published in 1867. It
continues the Little Prudy series,
which centered on one of Dotty’s
sisters.

Adrift in New York or Tom and Florence Braving the World
Horatio Alger, Jr.
New York: Hurst & Co. Publishers, not dated