Helen Ford in Bloomington, MN

Helen Ford
is one of only two novels by Horatio Alger, Jr. with a female heroine. Originally aimed at the adult market, Helen Ford found little commercial success. Helen has the responsibility of caring for her father, a typical Alger misfit, this one, widowed and estranged from his wealthy father, trying to invent a flying machine. What is particularly interesting about Helen Ford is how Alger treats a female heroine during times of rampant sexual discrimination.