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Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 5,067 ratings · 163 reviews

Gretel looked at her mother] in troubled silence, wondering whether it were very wicked to care more for one parent than for the other-and sure, yes, quite sure, that she dreaded her father, while she clung to her mother with a love that was almost idolatry.-from Hans BrinkerA beloved childhood favorite for a century and a half-and a book that readers continue to enjoy and...more Gretel looked at her mother] in troubled silence, wondering whether it were very wicked to care more for one parent than for the other-and sure, yes, quite sure, that she dreaded her father, while she clung to her mother with a love that was almost idolatry.-from Hans BrinkerA beloved childhood favorite for a century and a half-and a book that readers continue to enjoy and appreciate long into adulthood-Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates went through more than 100 editions during the author's lifetime alone. First published in 1865, this replica of the 1917 edition features the exquisite illustrations by Alice Carsey, whose sensitive eye and delicate pen-and-ink lines enliven the tale of the poor but virtuous Dutch boy in a way that few other artists have achieved. This replica edition brings the enchanting work of Dodge and Carsey to a new generation of children.Author and editor Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905) was born in New York City. She served as editor of the children's magazine St. Nicholas, to which she attracted such writers as Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Rudyard Kipling. She also authored the short-fiction collection Irvington Stories (1864).ON FRONT FLAP: Gretel looked at her mother] in troubled silence, wondering whether it were very wicked to care more for one parent than for the other-and sure, yes, quite sure, that she dreaded her father, while she clung to her mother with a love that was almost idolatry.-from Hans BrinkerA beloved childhood favorite for a century and a half-and a book that readers continue to enjoy and appreciate long into adulthood-Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates went through more than 100 editions during the author's lifetime alone. First published in 1865, this replica of the 1917 edition features the exquisite illustrations by Alice Carsey, whose sensitive eye and delicate pen-and-ink lines enliven the tale of the poor but virtuous Dutch boy in a way that few other artists have achieved. This replica edition brings the enchanting work of Dodge and Carsey to a new generation of children.ON BACK FLAP: COSIMO CLASSICS was inspired by Cosimo de Medici, the first of the de Medici dynasty, who ignited the most important cultural and artistic revolution in Western history - the Renaissance. This quest for enrichment is the foundation for COSIMO, an innovative publisher of books that inspire, inform, and engage readers worldwide. COSIMO brings to life unique, out-of-print classics, representing subjects as diverse as Alternative Health, Business & Economics, Eastern & Western Philosophy, Personal Growth, Mythology & Folklore, Science, and Sacred Texts & Spirituality, and much more(less)

Hardcover, 244 pages

Published November 1st 2005 by Cosimo Classics (first published 1865)

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Feb 27, 2008 Wes rated it 4 of 5 stars

I quite enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me so much of Holland and at the same time produced much more to my interest. This book could now be taken to be a historical text for a lazy American (if this term is not too much redundant). Much history of Holland is laid out, some as a field trip through the countryside. This is not a challenging read but I bet that the orignal target audience of young folks will hardly touch it these days though the book is still to be found in the juvenile sec...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Thom Swennes rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: re-read

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing but misinformation can be catastrophic. This book was written for youthful readers and has been a favorite tale for many years. Starting in the year 1872 (exactly 100 years prior to my moving to Holland) the story tries to combine the social life and historic heritage of the Low Countries with a fictitious story of the Brinker family. I can still remember the pictures this tale painted in my impressionable youthful mind the first time I read it fifty y...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Ilona rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one of the greatest books for children I've ever met. Indeed you won't meet such books nowadays, not with such a beautiful language and such good lessons to teach.

I've read Hans Brinker twice. The first time was when I was 11 or 12 and it impressed me so much that till now it is the second association with Holland for me (after the tulips :))

So when this year I was searching for something to read during the Christmastime and occasionally saw the title among the list of other Christmas b...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Marion rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens

Hans Brinker is a great example of how children's literature has evolved (or, perhaps, regressed)in the last 150 years. Things like education, hard work, charity, and kindness are elevated and rewarded by engaging characters in a gripping tale. I was impressed with the way Dodge was able to weave lessons of Dutch history, culture and geography into the story by including a visiting English cousin in the cast of characters. But that which impressed me was also my main gripe -- a little of sight-s...more

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Nov 08, 2010 Giedra rated it 3 of 5 stars

I had seen this book on my mom's bookshelf my whole life (or maybe my grandmother's bookshelf?), but never read it until recently she brought it over for my daughter to read. The edition she brought was published in the 40s, but I guess the original was published in the late 1800s. The story, set in the Netherlands, is about the family of teenager Hans Brinker, whose father cannot work due to a head injury, and the various things Hans and his sister do to try to help his mother support the famil...more

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Jan 28, 2010 Tristan Naraine rated it 5 of 5 stars

The main reason why I found myself extremely fond of this book is that the characters (the Brinker Family) was very close-knit. In other terms, I mean that the events of the book is centered around the cause/effect of the events made by the members of the family. For example,when Mr. Brinker (the father) had his medical operation the family stayed with him to ensure that he would go thru the operation alive. They also had present-day related worries or concerns such as enough/or more income desp...more

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Apr 04, 2009 Ellisa Barr rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

I liked this book, but it had a major flaw. Part-way into the great story about Hans Brinker and his family the book diverts for a really long time about an ice skating trip that some OTHER kids went on. It wasn't interesting at all, and I ended up skipping it finally because it went on for so long and I was very anxious to find out what happened to the Brinker family.

We listened to the book as a family just before taking a trip to Belgium, which is right next to Holland. I really loved hearing...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Gale rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-classics

SETTING THE PRISONER FREE

Set in Holland during the wintry 1860’s this children’s classic has proven a literary staple for generations. American author Mary Mapes Dodge revels in introducing English-speaking readers to the charm of the Netherlands—while displaying her knowledge of its art, customs and proud history. In this land of tulips, storks and windmills the people wage a relentless war and exercise constant vigilance against the encroachment of the sea, which is above the level of the la...more SETTING THE PRISONER FREE

Set in Holland during the wintry 1860’s this children’s classic has proven a literary staple for generations. American author Mary Mapes Dodge revels in introducing English-speaking readers to the charm of the Netherlands—while displaying her knowledge of its art, customs and proud history. In this land of tulips, storks and windmills the people wage a relentless war and exercise constant vigilance against the encroachment of the sea, which is above the level of the land. Despite quaint customs and folksy costumes the characters remain alive almost a century and a half later, thanks to human attributes which are universally recognized: family values, responsibility, love, friendship, dedication to a common cause, patriotism, generosity, honesty, compassion for those less fortunate.

The Brinker family barely survives on the fringe of society ion a humble hut—known locally as the idiot’s cottage. Ten years earlier, Raff, the father, fell off a dike, suffering severe brain damage. A danger both to himself and to others he has caused no end of heartache and despair to his harassed wife, who struggles to raise two young children in poverty. As the story opens 15-year-old Hans, now the substitute man of the house, is a remarkable and honest teenager, trying to pursue studies on his own. His 12-year-old sister, Gretel, has never known her father in his right mind, though she bravely tries to help her mother and not fear the man too much. Scorned by Broek snobs as a mere goose girl, Gretel trembles in the face of recurring domestic disaster; she feels guilty about her private
conflicting emotions toward her father.

Two mysteries haunt the Brinker cottage, keeping readers in suspense until their separate denouements: the location of the
missing family fortune of 10,000 Guilders and the identity of the owner of a fine watch bearing the initials L. J. B. If only the invalid could answer all their questions, for these objects changed location the very night of the dike disaster. Throughout the 332 pages the young folks along the canals are excited at the prospect of a Great race in late December, for which the winners in each category will receive a special pair of silver skates. What a prize! But how could poor riffraff like the Brinker siblings afford decent skates even to compete?

Stylistically the pacing is uneven; after introducing mysteries and juvenile antics the author seems to get bogged down for many long chapters when the boys take an extended trip to various Dutch cities--leaving readers wondering about the latest crisis in the Brinker home. Thanks to Ben, an English cousin of one of the boy’s in Peter’s gang. We see Holland through foreign eyes—for nationalistic contrast. Despite its dated style, this book is a pleasant read with mild hints for social reform and moral promotion for human compassion, with a very tidy ending.
(April 7, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
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May 26, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, children-s-lit, fiction

This book was on a suggested reading list for my 3rd grader in the adventure genre; I checked it out to read to my kids, but ran out of time so read it myself. I would recommend an "abridged" version for my kids. There are several intertwined plots that well-written with a focus on good values. One of the plots is a 50-mile ice skating trip taken by 6 older boys. In this part of the tale, the author weaves in a LOT of Dutch facts and history. She does a skillful job, but even this reader with pu...more

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Jan 24, 2010 Ms Anderson rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: formystudents, 2010-01-jan

Worst. Book. Ever.

Okay, maybe not the worst, but a really boring, awful book. The actual story of Hans could be told in about fifty pages. The edition I read on Google Books was nearly three hundred pages long. I can appreciate it for the historical things--I've read enough books from this time period to know that the personalities of the Brinker children and some of the other boys are how the authors imagined children, and the "history of Holland" asides are in there to educate small children...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very sweet Victorian story. Deserving poor and satisfyingly cheerful ending, pleasantly intrusive narrator. My only complaint is that much of the book reads like a travelogue or a history book--the author seems to be excessively concerned with instructing her young readers. I did learn quite a bit about the Netherlands geography and history.

I mostly enjoyed though reading a book where the good people were so very good. Why complicate things with nuances? I kind of like having ideals. We know chi...more

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Jun 17, 2010 Jackie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-books

Overall, I liked this book. It started out really fast but got a little long winded during the middle when the boys went on an ice skating field trip through Holland. It did pick up nicely towards the end tho. In addition, I learned a lot about Holland that I never knew before and really did come to appreciate the characters and the country by the end of the story. I found it really amazing that Mary Mapes Dodge had never even seen Holland upon writing this book. For living at a time where there...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Rebecca rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, family-story, historical

I remember liking this book as a child, probably for the unusual setting with all the ice skating. Reading it as an adult, I didn't really see the point of it. Over half of it is simply a travelogue of and paean to Holland, as a group of boys with almost no connection to the Brinkers take a skating trip through the scenic and historic cities of the land, all of which are lovingly and endlessly described. If the book could be cut to just the Brinkers' story, it would work better and be far more i...more

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Dec 31, 2010 Lynnette added it

Life in Holland in the 1840s can mean a struggle for the Brinker family, whose father was injured on the dykes. But for all children in Holland, they must deal with pride or kindness. A kind doctor helps the Brinkers and his life in turn is changed.

Strengths: Several pltos run through the book, woven through the lives of the Brinkers. Morals and lessons in kindness and unselfishness abound. Surprise endings and a mystery to solve keep the reader involved. Appeals to boys and girls.

Weakness: very...more

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May 05, 2009 Kipahni rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009-books, reading-in-egypt, la-ti-da

This is the type of book that I would imagine a woman named Mary Mapes Dodge would write. Geographical and Historical information with Morality and the real spice, and ICE RACE

WHat I love about older books. They have great conclusions. I don't mean that everything is happy ever after but that you know full well how each character lives out the rest of their life. And that is what was good about this book the end.

I think I would have liked this book when it came out though in the 1800's but the w...more

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Jun 29, 2010 A Nelson rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think I may have enjoyed this book more if I had read it myself. Instead I endured a lackluster reading via librivox.org. That being said, I did enjoy the cultural information about Holland that was woven into the story. I had added interest in these details since my family originated in Holland. But, at times the insertion of the details seemed a bit abrupt. The story of the Brinker family was interesting and the plot twists were a bit surprising. I think my kids might enjoy it when they get...more

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Mar 03, 2010 LaNaria rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: good-ending, dazzled, historical, well-written, loved, for-children, for-teens

Years ago I saw this same book in the library thinking it like the story of Billy the boy who just wanted to dance because there was a skinny boy on the cover who seemed nimble. You can see by my rating it was vary foolish of me to overlook it. When it finally found me again two years later I decided that, as old as it was, it would soot my needs for a decent story. Though this is not all entirely true because the book I read did not have the same cover as this edition. In fact the book I read h...more

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Jan 18, 2010 Anne Hawn Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: jacob, homeschool

I read this to audition a book for my grandson's homeschool literature lesson. As I child, I loved this book, although I probably got lost in the chapters where boys from the town skate to Haarlem and go to the museums and churches. I found this to be a plus for homeschool lessons since I was able to find many of these places and works of art on the internet which I can also use for lessons.

Hans and his sister, Gretel, are very poor. Their father, a sluice gate tender, was injured on the job and...more I read this to audition a book for my grandson's homeschool literature lesson. As I child, I loved this book, although I probably got lost in the chapters where boys from the town skate to Haarlem and go to the museums and churches. I found this to be a plus for homeschool lessons since I was able to find many of these places and works of art on the internet which I can also use for lessons.

Hans and his sister, Gretel, are very poor. Their father, a sluice gate tender, was injured on the job and has been witless ever since. At times he is very cruel, although they recognize that he does not know what he is doing. Hans and Gretel lead lives filled with work and their only pleasure is skating on the frozen canal in their makeshift skates Hans has made out of wood. When news of a prize of silver skates is to be awarded in a race, they are sorry that they would never be able to win in their old skates.

Their poverty is made all the more difficult because there is a lot of money hidden some place in or around the house, but the location is locked in the addled brain of their father. He did something with the money just before he went out to work on the night he was injured. Hans and Gretel are forced to do whatever work they can find to help support them.

One of the things that makes the book interesting is the social commentary in the book. Several of the boys and girls in town are mentioned and much is made of either their character flaws or virtues. While simplistic on the surface, the characterization is good. One if the wealthy girls in town stands out because she recognizes her good fortune and arranges for both Hans and his sister to have metal skates.

When the book gets to the final race, it is almost an afterthought. The true natures of many of the characters have been displayed and the story ends in a satisfactory manner.

I did not realize the Mary Mapes Dodge went on the be the editor of the famous "St. Nicholas Magazine" which featured stories by classical children's author such as Mark Twain, Joel Chandler Harris, Rudyard Kipling and many others. We just happened to have Henry Steele Commanger's anthology of the magazine and I found it to be a great complement to the lessons on this book.(less)

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Feb 08, 2010 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: geography, modern-history, school-books-kid-books, read-alouds

I'm reading this to decide if it gets to stay with me or not. I have a very, very bad (or maybe good) habit of buying books I haven't read because I've heard they're good. Or I want to read them. Or they're on sale. This was one such book. 'Hey, everyone has read Hans Brinker, I should too.'

Thus far I'm really liking it so maybe it was a good thing I bought it (several years ago and am just now getting around to it).

September 20, 2009 - I finished! Yes, it took me much longer to read than normal...more

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Jun 09, 2013 Jenna Leigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It was one that for some reason sat on a bookshelf for a long time, and then all of a sudden I noticed it there and decided to give it a try. Am I ever glad I did! The story is well written, and you're instantly invested in the Brinker's lives. It's very emotional, and a beautiful story about a family sticking together no matter what darkness comes their way. Its tone is similar to "The Five Little Peppers", so if you've read that one and enjoyed it, you'd probably enjoy this...more

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May 27, 2013 Victoria Blacke rated it 4 of 5 stars

A beautifully written children's tale. I read this when I was in 7th grade and absolutely adored it. The selfless and honorable actions of Hans, the family's enduring love thru hardship, the amazing imagery of Holland all combine into a timeless children's classic. If you want your child to read something with more depth than the standard contemporary children's books (which only seem to be concerned with shallow issues these days) then please encourage them to read The Silver Skates.

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May 22, 2012 Delene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Getting started was a little tough - but what a great story! It was fun to read a classic children's book complete with a List of Illistrations - some of which were full page and in color! It was a good study of the hearts of children (and adults) sorting through right and wrong, generosity and selfishness and bitterness and forgivness. I was pleased to find many references to God and appreciated the acknowledgement of His mighty power. I enjoyed the story and illistrations very much!

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Mar 11, 2010 Chrissie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kids, holland

I read this as a kid. I still have the book, a hardcover from the 50s! Gray blue woth a rectangular picture of the twokids skating down the canals. This and A Dog of Flanders were how I pictured Holland. It was so strange to visit these places as an adult. In fact, A Dog of Flanders took place in Belgium's Antwerp.

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Mar 04, 2013 Joy Gerbode rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wonderful book! It is subtitled in this edition "A Story of Life in Holland" and it is absolutely wonderful reading! Beautiful descriptions of the places in Holland that were visited by boys on a skating trip along the canals. Wonderfully told history of Holland. And the heart-warming story of a family suffering difficulties yet never losing their kind hearts and willing ways. An all around wonderful story, and this is a beautiful edition I found in a used book store ...notes in the margins, eve...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Data rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: keepers

This is written as a children's book, but it is for children who are serious readers! The action is a bit milder than we so often see today. The only magic is that of human compassion, the life-or-death drama is that of an ill parent, the fabulous wealth is only that of the loss of the family's savings. Of course, the great prize is the silver skates. Every chapter is packed with history. The writing style is somewhat dated, but the characters are well-drawn.

Fun to go back and read as an adult,...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Anne rated it 2 of 5 stars

Well, this book was pretty much what I expected so I shouldn't really complain. It is old and was written by someone in America who had only read a history book on the Netherlands (but she did visit after the book was published, to her credit). Basically it read like an old, cheesy Disney film like Pollyanna (in fact, not surprisingly,it was made into one), wherein the cheery, good people are rewarded and the nasty, mean people get their comeuppance. Plus a complete contrived plot. But again, I...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Lucy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am a sucker for heartwarming simple novels where the good get rewarded for their goodness. There's plenty of that here! I was more surprised how much I enjoyed the 'history lessons' planted in the unlikely mouths of the skating youths.I loved the skating descriptions too, but possibly best of all is the 'Dutch women are wonderful housekeepers' motif, which had me wanting to scrub and polish my entire house and then start on the neighbours......

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Jan 22, 2010 Mary-Jane rated it 5 of 5 stars

I did read this book as a child after reading an excerpt in a school reader, but was only interested in one aspect of the story so just endured the other plots. I am glad I gave it another read as an adult. The story line is great, two mysteries and the anticipation of a skating race. Set in the 1840s, the book is laden with Dutch historical information. I would recommend the book for a grade 7 or 8 audience or above and for adults. I think an illustrated version (including pictures of the place...more

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Jun 13, 2010 Kim rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya

I think I liked this book as a child, but it was rather dry to me as a kid. The history lesson sandwiched in the midst of the story of Hans' family and the skates was awkward - Dodge did not have the skill of interweaving the history while telling the story. This is a childhood book I will part easily with.

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Jun 06, 2013 Eileen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this book as a child. It does not hold up over time. I did not remember it as such a travelogue and history book for Holland. There are many, many pages of information about Dutch history and historical figures. I was curious to read it again as I have my Mother's copy from 1943.

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About Mary Mapes Dodge

Mary was born Mary Elizabeth Mapes to Prof. James Jay Mapes and Sophia Furman in New York City. She acquired a good education under private tutors. In 1851 she married the lawyer William Dodge. Within the next four years she gave birth to two sons, James and Harrington. In 1857, William faced serious financial difficulties and left his family in 1858. A month after his disappearance his body was f...more

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