Parent Guide > Excerpt from "The World Before Him"

by Horatio Alger, Jr. 1880

Welcome to the parent guide for this text! Read below to find out about what your child is reading in class and how you can support him/her at home.

This week in class, we’re reading "Excerpt from "The World Before Him"" by Horatio Alger, Jr..

In this excerpt from The World Before Him (1902), author Horatio Alger, Jr. perfectly captures the hopeful vision of success in America's Gilded Age through the eyes of a young country boy.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of America and Resilience & Success as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"How has America changed over time?" and "Why do people succeed?"

Ways to support your child:

  • Ask your child about this fiction - general at home:
    • What was "Excerpt from "The World Before Him"" about?
    • What did you learn about America?
    • What did you learn about Resilience & Success?
  • Watch Social Class in America: A 1957 Educational Film at home with your child.