Hans Brinker; Or, The Silver Skates

An unforgettable winter adventure that will steal your heart at first glide Hans Brinker; Or, The Silver Skates returns as a restored classic for a new generation. Mary Mapes Dodge s beloved Dutch winter tale follows brave Hans Brinker and his sister Gretel as they skate the frozen canals of the 19th-century Netherlands, dreaming of the coveted silver skates and struggling to keep their family afloat. Equal parts ice skating story, family adventure, and moral lesson, this young adult classic weaves competitions on the canal with quieter acts of courage from selfless sacrifice to the boy who helps avert a disastrous breach in the dike creating a moving portrait of honor, perseverance, and small-town heroism. First published in 1865, this seminal piece of classic children's literature helped shape historical fiction and winter sports novels for young readers worldwide. Dodge s sensitive storytelling offers both lively outdoor scenes and timeless moral lessons, making the book as appealing to casual readers as to collectors and scholars of 19th-century Netherlands life. This edition from Alpha Editions marks the return of a book that was out of print for decades. Carefully restored and republished for today s and future generations, this volume is more than a reprint it s a collector s item and cultural treasure, enriched for modern readers while preserving Dodge s original charm. Perfect for lovers of Hans Brinker, The Silver Skates, historical fiction, and enduring tales of family and courage.