Julius, the Street Boy; or, Out West

"Julius, the Street Boy; or, Out West" by Horatio Alger Jr. is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows the journey of a street boy named Julius who seeks a better life away from the harsh conditions of New York City. He aspires to become respectable and is determined to succeed after escaping a life of crime associated with his guardian, a burglar named Jack Morgan. The opening of the book introduces Julius, who has decided to leave his old life behind and venture westward for a fresh start, guided by the Children’s Aid Society. As he prepares to leave, we see him interact with his fellow street kids, highlighting the contrast between their chaotic city lives and his aspirations for a more upright existence. Soon, he encounters the dangers and struggles of his past, including familiar criminals, but remains hopeful about the opportunities in the West, setting the stage for his transformation and the adventures that await him. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Horatio Alger Jr. was an American author who wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security and comfort through good works. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on the United States from 1868 through to his death in 1899.