The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Description

An immortal story of friendship between two boys- the daring, mischeivous and loyal Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn Read this 19th-century childhood adventure story that confronts the reality of racism in America. 'There comes a time in every boy's life when when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure' Impish, daring young Tom Sawyer is a hero to his friends and a torment to his relations. For wherever there is mischief or adventure, Tom is at the heart of it. During one hot summer, Tom witnesses a murder, runs away to be a pirate, attends his own funeral, rescues an innocent man from the gallows, searches for treasure in a haunted house, foils a devilish plot and discovers a box of gold. But can he escape his nemesis, the villainous Injun Joe? BACKSTORY- Find out some fascinating facts about the author and have a go at a game of marbles!

Mark Twain's real name was Sam Clemens, and he was born in 1835 in a small town on the Mississippi, one of seven children. He smoked cigars at the age of eight, and aged nine he stowed away on a steamboat. He left school at 11 and worked at a grocery store, a bookstore, a blacksmith's and a newspaper, where he was allowed to write his own stories (not all of them true). He then worked on a steamboat, where he got the name 'Mark Twain' (from the call given by the boat's pilot when their boat is in safe waters). Eventually he turned to journalism again, travelled round the world, and began writing books which became very popular. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are his most famous novels. He poured the money he earned from writing into new business ventures and crazy inventions, such as a clamp to stop babies throwing off their bed covers, a new boardgame, and a hand grenade full of extinguishing liquid to throw on a fire. With his shock of white hair and trademark white suit Mark Twain became the most famous American writer in the world. He died in 1910.

"This classic story will stay with you through life, and always remind you of the things that you knew were important when you first read it" Independent "Whet juvenile appetites with Tom, his entrepreneurial spirit and his taste for treasure-hunting adventure. A paean to true boyhood" Guardian "The language is hard to begin with but the hero is one of the most endearing in literature" -- Michael Morpurgo Daily Telegraph "Twain had a gift for reliving the innermost feelings of growing up, the insecurity, fears and hopes that lie beneath the swagger that young boys maintain. He turned them into literature" Daily Mail "Tom and Huck Finn are as immortal as their swashbuckling friendship" Daily Mail