The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen is a post-Christmas story (taking place on New Year's Eve) and is a rather sad story. I don't want to give the ending away, but rather than ending happy, it teaches its reader to think about others. The little match girl (I don't believe we ever learn her name) belongs to a poor family.

Her father is abusive, and she doesn't have very nice things. She's barefoot in the middle of winter, and is forced to sell matches in the streets. She doesn't dare to go home, because, having not sold any, her dad with punish her if she doesn't bring some money back. She has a few fond memories of her grandmother who died the previous year, and when she decides to strike one precious match against a wall to try to warm herself, she is reminded of her grandmother. The Little Match Girl is a good story for children and adults to read and discuss together. It was first published in 1845.