Motor Boys facts for kids

Front cover of Motor Boys Afloat, 1908 edition.

The Motor Boys were the main characters in a very popular series of adventure books for boys. These books were written around the early 1900s. A company called the Stratemeyer Syndicate created the series, and the books were published under the pen name Clarence Young. The books were released by Cupples & Leon and often came with cool dust jackets and a shiny picture at the front. Howard Garis, who also wrote the famous Uncle Wiggily stories, wrote many of these exciting adventures.

Meet the Motor Boys

The series followed the adventures of three best friends:

• Bob Baker: He was the son of a wealthy banker.
• Ned Slade: His dad owned a large department store.
• Jerry Hopkins: He was the son of a well-off widow.

Together, these three friends went on many thrilling journeys, often involving cars, boats, and even early airplanes!

Adventures of the Motor Boys

The Motor Boys series was known for its exciting stories about travel and mystery. The boys explored different places and faced many challenges.

Book Titles and Their Journeys

Here are some of the adventures the Motor Boys had:

• The Motor Boys or, Chums Through Thick and Thin - 1906
• The Motor Boys Overland or, A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - 1906
• The Motor Boys in Mexico or, The Secret of the Buried City - 1906
• The Motor Boys across the Plains or, The Hermit of Lost Lake - 1907
• The Motor Boys Afloat or, The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway - 1908
• The Motor Boys on the Atlantic or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse - 1908
• The Motor Boys in Strange Waters or, Lost in a Floating Forest - 1909
• The Motor Boys on the Pacific or, The Young Derelict Hunters - 1909
• The Motor Boys in the Clouds or, A Trip for Fame and Fortune - 1910
• The Motor Boys over the Rockies or, A Mystery of the Air - 1911
• The Motor Boys over the Ocean or, A Marvelous Rescue in Mid-Air - 1911
• The Motor Boys on the Wing or, Seeking the Airship Treasure - 1912
• The Motor Boys after a Fortune or, The Hut on Snake Island - 1912
• The Motor Boys on the Border or, Sixty Nuggets of Gold - 1913
• The Motor Boys under the Sea or, From Airship to Submarine - 1914
• The Motor Boys on Road and River or, Racing to Save a Life - 1915
• Ned, Bob and Jerry at Boxwood Hall or, The Motor Boys as Freshman - 1916
• Ned, Bob and Jerry on a Ranch or, The Motor Boys among the Cowboys - 1917
• Ned, Bob and Jerry in the Army or, The Motor Boys as Volunteers - 1918
• Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line or, The Motor Boys Fighting for Uncle Sam - 1919
• Ned, Bob and Jerry Bound for Home or, The Motor Boys on the Wrecked Troopship - 1920
• The Motor Boys on Thunder Mountain or, The Treasure Chest of Blue Rock - 1924