The collection includes works by Alexei Maksimovich Gorky, whose real name is Peshkov (1868–1936), the study of which is included in the compulsory school curriculum: the play “At the Depth”, the story “Childhood”, the poems “Song about the Petrel” and “Song about Sokol", the stories "Makar Chudra" and "Old Woman Izergil". The play "At the Depths" (1901–1902) raises one of the central themes in Gorky's work - the problem of "former" people who have fallen, broken and lost their social status. " Childhood (1913) is an autobiographical story that tells the story of Gorky’s life in his youth. The writer’s childhood was very difficult: his happy life with his parents ended after the death of his father, when he went to live with his stingy and cruel grandfather. “Song of the Petrel” (1901) reflects the revolutionary sentiments in society at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. In the poem, Gorky called on the working class to fight the autocracy. “Makar Chudra” (1892) is the writer’s first printed work. This is a story about the dramatic love of two freedom-loving gypsies - Loiko and Radda, whose pride prevented them from finding happiness.