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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.4
EAN: 9780143039563
ISBN: 0143039563
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 272
Publication Date: 2006-02-28
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Studio: Penguin Classics

From the famous episodes of the whitewashed fence and the ordeal in the cave to the trial of Injun Joe, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is redolent of life in the Mississippi River towns in which Twain spent his own youth. A somber undercurrent flows through the high humor and unabashed nostalgia of the novel, however, for beneath the innocence of childhood lie the inequities of adult reality—base emotions and superstitions, murder and revenge, starvation and slavery. In his introduction, noted Twain scholar John Seelye considers Twain’s impact on American letters and discusses the balance between humorous escapades and serious concern that is found in much of Twain’s writing.

Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Good time leisure reading.
Review: Mark Twain's great American classic cannot be classified as any other than children's literature, but don't let that scare you more advanced readers away. This book is nothing other than a joy to read, and I am glad I made the effort to revisit this memorable read from my youth. Light-hearted fun and mischief, along with brilliant looks into the psyches of young boys put this book up around the most enjoyable one I've read in a long while.

As Tom and Huck live out their fantasies, and go through a series of good times and bad, the reader is taken on a nostalgic tour of what it means to be a kid (pre-Nintendo). When the slightest discomfort can seem like the end of the world, the adults are the avowed enemy, and imagination is your greatest tool of all, the world is a much simpler place (and somehow more exciting). I strongly suggest finding the time to take this tour again and remember what it was like being Tom Sawyer.

As to the reviewer that didn't like this one (can't believe Twain made any money off this one??), I'd suggest trying it again when you're not forced to by your teacher. Reading for fun is always much more enjoyable.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: A Timeless Classic
Review: If you are a boy, or once was a boy, you will remember the days of mischief described in this book. This is a timeless classic that I will always treasure. If you enjoy this book you will also enjoy: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Treasure Island.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: It's a wonder Mark Twain made any money from this book. Maybe his customers were just plain stupid.
Review: The first, (and hopefully last) time I read this book was for a school assignment over the past couple of months. The first couple of chapters use this exact layout:

1: Tom does something stupid
2: Tom lies to his aunt about the aforementioned stupid thing
3: His aunt believes his lie about the aforementioned stupid thing
4: His half brother Sid (Great name by the way) rats on him.
5: Tom gets yelled at and gets his friends to do his menial chores.

The first chapter is fun to read, but after you find out that Mark Twain is just using a "Making Chapters for Dummies" book to help him write Tom Sawyer, that just sucks the fun away from it.

It's a wonder that Mark Twain made any money off this book, or Maybe his customers were just plain stupid. Maybe they just bought the book out of pity for him and in hope that he would write a better book.

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