Mary Mapes Dodge

"Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates" is a novel by the American author Mary Mapes Dodge, first published in 1865. The novel takes place in the Netherlands, and is a colourful fictional portrait of early nineteenth-century Dutch life, as well as a tale of youthful honor. The title of the book refers to the beautiful silver skates to be awarded to the winner of the ice-skating race Hans Brinker hopes to enter. The novel introduced the sport of speed...

A Dutch brother and sister work toward two goals--finding the doctor who can restore their father's memory and winning the competition for the silver skates.

Hans Brinker, a poor Dutch boy, is determined to win first prize, a pair of silver skates, in the Great Race of Broek's frozen canals.

Retells the tale of the little boy whose resourcefulness and courage saved his country from being destroyed by the ocean.