The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
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The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is one of this great American author's best-loved novels. First published in 1876, it portrays childhood during the mid-19th century in an affectionate but realistic way; Twain's characters are full of wild ideas and antics that sometimes get them into trouble. Tom Sawyer is often avoided, and has at times been banned from schools, because of Twain's use of the "N" word (which appears several times) and his derogatory portrayal of Native Americans in the form of the dangerous villain Injun Joe. The novel is an extremely enjoyable one, however -- full of humor and suspense -- if readers accept that the book's outdated, unfortunate portrayal of people of color is more a function of the characters' views than the author's.
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Boys Getting into Trouble, Surely Not!!
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What's the story?
Mark Twain's classic novel THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER takes place in fictional St. Petersburg (a town on the Mississippi that is patterned after Twain's hometown of Hannibal, MO), where Tom lives with his Aunt Polly and cousins Sid and Mary. A mischievous, imaginative boy of about 11, Tom is often on the wrong side of the rules at school and at home. Late one night, Tom sneaks out with his friend Huckleberry Finn, and the two witness a violent crime. Afraid for their own safety, Tom and Huck promise each other to keep the night a secret, and Tom carries on his usual activities: playing pirates with his friends, flirting with the pretty Becky Thatcher, and worrying his Aunt Polly. But Tom and Huck soon find themselves in serious trouble, because they can't ignore their consciences, or the fact that the criminal has some treasure they can't resist.
Is it any good?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has stood the test of time because Twain's perceptive and humorous portrayal of young boys is so perfect and so universal. Twain's sardonic wit keeps the proceedings from ever seeming precious or teachy; Tom is a realistic character who could exist in any time, and his story is full of engaging slapstick and suspense. Tom Sawyer may offend some readers because of the author's use of bigoted language, but as with Twain's masterpiece, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, readers should keep an open mind to understanding the difference between the worldview of the author, and that of his characters.
Talk to your kids about ...
Do you think books with bigoted language should be read in schools? Why or why not?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was written in the 1870s. What aspects of the book seem "historic" to you, and what seems like it could happen in any time?
To gain further insight into Twain's views on race and slavery, read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Book details
- Author: Mark Twain
- Genre: Literary Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship, History, Misfits and Underdogs
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Barnes & Noble
- Publication date: June 1, 1876
- Number of pages: 256
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle, App
- Last updated: January 08, 2020
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