Little Jack Janitor by James Whitcomb Riley
The story revolves around a young boy who works as a janitor at a local school. He takes pride in his work and is diligent about keeping the school clean. The narrative explores themes of responsibility, hard work, and the importance of doing one's job well.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1880 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy · 1,995 words
First lines
And there, in that ripe Summer-night, once more / A wintry coolness through the open door / And window seemed to touch each glowing face / Refreshingly; and, for a fleeting space, / The quickened fancy, through the fragrant air, / Saw snowflakes whirling where the roseleaves were, / And sounds of veriest jingling bells again / Were heard in tinkling spoons and glasses then.
What this Textopian page supports
Little Jack Janitor is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1880 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy, Humor, Family
- Length: 1,995 words
- Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Jack Janitor by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
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- Igo And Ago by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Naughty Claude by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative centers around a magical and whimsical event involving children, with a focus on entertainment and wonder.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with rhyming lines and a lyrical quality.
- Fantasy — Elements of magic and the supernatural are present, such as the 'Magic Box' and the vantriloquist act.
- Humor — The story includes humorous elements, such as the playful interaction with the 'Magic Box' and the surprise ending.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Child Labor · Industrialization · Urban Life · Working Class