Evening star., 1901-12-07
BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE MASTER KEY; an Electric Fairy Tale.
founded upon the Mysteries of Electricity and
the Optimism of its Devotees. BY L. Frank
Baum. Illustrations by +. Y. Cory; Indian
apolis: The Bowen Merrill Company.
Rob was an inventive chap always work.
ing around with wires and batteries until
the house was strung with conductors from
end to end. One day Rob chanced upon a
combination which summoned the Demon
of Electricity before him and made him sub
servient to Rob's will. In consequence the
youngster took many remarkable trips
through the world and some things
not permitted to other mortals. In the end
he was rather glad to give over his invent
ing, because he realized that neither he nor
the world was ready for some of the mar
vels of which electricity is capable The
book Is charmingly told in manner to in
sure deep interest on the part of every
reader. The author specially declares that
the story written for boys, but others
may read it, They would assuredly be
entertained. The pictures are exceptionally
handsome.
Two Little People of the Alps. By Margaret
Bouvet Illustrated by Helen Maitland Arm
strong. Chicago: A. G. NcClurg & Co.
These children of Savoy were poor and
faced harder struggles than those of pov-
erty. They We're simple hearted and they
d
wood carver, and eventually he won great
prize in competition by the making of
cross at Christmas time which was so far
superior to all others that he was given an
education in his art by the CITY, The SIM
pie faith OF the little ones was not changed
as they grew older. The story is told in
pure style and the pictures are beautifully
drawn. The cover design is striking show
ing the children climbing an Alpine height.
THE MAN WHO KNEW BETTER: Christmas
Dream By Il. Gallon, author of 'Tatterey'
Illustrated by Gordon Browne New York: d.
Appleton & Co.
Andrew Judkin knew better than to be
mean, and hard and sordid. But his nature
was warped by his selfishness until he
could not let his better self express itself.
He paid for his meanness however and in
his dream on Christmas eve he saw his life
reflected, with all it's littleness' and it's
cruelty, and he repented. That is he ac-
knowledged that he knew better" and
the end came to an easier soul There is a
strong suggestion of Dickens power in this
allegory which appeals to the older minds
as well as to the young readers.
THE BILLY STORIES: By Eva Lovett. New
York: j. +. Taylor Co.
Oh, what a boy Billy was! He had the
most wonderful experiences, fights with
bears, races with bronchos, battles as
pirate, and no end of troubles as mayor
tramp. balloonist, castaway, highwayman
and arctic explorer. Billy was not modest
about telling of his exploits, but his tales
We're always convincing. No one could
doubt the little man. All his stories are
put together in this book and Billy becomes
an important person indeed.
WINGED ARROWS MEDICINE: or the Massacre
author of fh the noat By Ha
trated by w. Fl. Fry. Akron, o.: The Saal-
Held Publishing Company.
The story of a young army officers dam
gers and triumphs in one of the Indian
campaigns is told with brisk directness
and dramatic force characteristic of this
veteran writer of boys books, 1t deals
with a phase of history which will soon
be forgotten by all but the older genera
tion.
AMERICAN BOYS LIFE OF WILLIAM McKIN-
LEY. By Edward Stratemeyer author of
With Washington in the West etc. Illus
trated Boston: Lee L Shepard. Washington:
Brentano's.
There was much in the life of William
Mckinley to inspire the American boy to
noble actions and thoughts. The martyred
President can be safely held up to the
younger generation a model for he was
true-hearted, kindly, generous, just, truth
ful' gentle, patriotic. progressive and brave
He was an ideal of Americanism. This
biography is told in style to interest
young readers, and is more suitable for
them than are most Of the longer and more
mature sketches of the late Presidents
life. As guide to the political interests
OF the lads who may read this book is ap-
pended full reprint of the Presidents last
great speech, delivered the day before he
was shot.
TWO OF THE BEST. BY Dorothy oaigIey, author
OF Success Is for iou," etc. Illustrated by
VIM Ii. Drake. New York: f. p. Dutton L.
Co.
Two boys of different characters were
educated and trained by an astronomer
who felt that he had in them far more in
teresting problems than the stars afforded.
They had their trials and temptations, and
yielded to them differently. One was tall
ented violinist, the other a quick-tempered
boy who could turn his hand to almost any
use. Both succeeded, the violinist by
sticking patiently to his task, the other boy
by knocking the rough places off his char
acter by hard rubs against the world Ii
Is wholesome story and entertaining