Book Review - The Young Acrobat

Here's another one of those home school book reports. Hope you like it!

The Young Acrobat

Horatio Alger

Christopher (Kit) Watson is an orphan living with his uncle and cousin, Ralph.
At the time, a circus is visiting Smyrna, and Kit and his friend, Dan Clark, go to watch the acrobats get ready for the show. Because of special lessons Kit is able to try some of the acts and succeeds.
Later in the week, Kit is offered a position at the circus, and after an incident with a blacksmith and a giant, decides to accept it.
Kit has many adventures along the way, and when the season is over has no idea what to do...
...that is until one of his father’s friends appears at his doorstep.

I have read many Horatio Alger books and am somewhat bored of them. They all seem to have the same formula.
Despite his repetitive books he had a slightly interesting life. He tutored many many people including Benjamin Cardozo, who went on to be a supreme court justice.
I recommend you read one or two of his books but not too many!

-Buttercup

Book Review - Jed the Poorhouse Boy by Horatio Alger

I recently finished a book called Jed the Poorhouse Boy. It was very intriguing.

Jed has been living in a poorhouse since he was two years old. He was fine with that until the kind Keepers of the Poorhouse, Mr. and Mrs. Avery were replaced by the selfish Mr. and Mrs. Fogson. They over worked and under fed the poor people, while leading lives of luxury themselves.

Finally, Jed decided that he couldn't take it any longer and must leave. After running into a doctor and his wife who promised him a little help, he decided to run away. That night he found an actor in his bed who took a liking to the poor boy, and also agreed to help him.

The next day, Jed set out to make a living for himself - but first to see a play that his friend Mr. Bertram is in. He arrived to find that one

of the company’s boys was sick and could not perform. When offered, Jed accepted the opportunity to join the company for the remaining three weeks of the season.

At the end of the season he found a position as companion to a young boy named Charlie. When Charlie’s father went away on business, his aunt came and fired Jed.

Moving further into New York, he was robbed of his entire

fortune - $39.37. Soon after, he ran into a rich yacht owner who employed him.

Meanwhile Mr. Peake, a detective, was trying to track Jed down and give him news that could change his life...

Annual Trail Update

We finally hit the trail again in September. We made it SIX miles this time! Only 2,158 miles left to go.


Bag-o-Rocks walked this year and the dogs came with. Both of these changes made for slow progress. But much fun was had by all.


The stuff....










The happy family about to embark.....











We met Indiana Jones on the trail. He was taking a nap.