Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates

"Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates" is a novel by the American author Mary Mapes Dodge, first published in 1865. The novel takes place in the Netherlands, and is a colourful fictional portrait of early nineteenth-century Dutch life, as well as a tale of youthful honor. The title of the book refers to the beautiful silver skates to be awarded to the winner of the ice-skating race Hans Brinker hopes to enter. The novel introduced the sport of speed skating to Americans.The book is also notable for popularising the story of the little Dutch boy who plugs a dike with his finger. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)