The story of Dutch schoolchildren in the 19th century "Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates" was written by American writer Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905). Published in 1865, it immediately made the author famous. And yet, Dodge had never been to the Netherlands! What is the secret of its unprecedented success? The book contains historical and ethnographic information about the country, which is organically woven into the thread of dramatic narration. Maybe that’s why it is still interesting to read today. But no less important is another thing — to feel the spirit of this extraordinary and amazing northern country. Mary Mapes Dodge’s work is included in the extracurricular reading program for schoolchildren. Books in this series contain introductory articles that help prepare for literature lessons. They acquaint readers with the life and work of writers, help understand how they worked, what inspired them, and also provide an idea of their literary heritage. Suitable for middle school age.