Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates

The novel takes place in the Netherlands and is a colorful fictional portrait of early 19th-century Dutch life, as well as a tale of youthful honor. The book's title refers to the beautiful silver skates to be awarded to the winner of the ice-skating race Hans Brinker hopes to enter. The book is also notable for popularizing the story of the little Dutch boy who plugs a dike with his finger.