Tom Sawyer (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)

Mr. Twain does it again brilliantly in the telling of Tom Sawyer. A story to be told and read thru generations to come. Personally, this story really moving for me. So much, that I took my family to Hannibal, Missouri to see the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) aka “Tom Sawyer.” The town in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is modeled after the real Hannibal, Missouri, where Mark Twain grew up. As he traveled and moved his heart always remained behind, creating the stories of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Learning about Mark Twain and his upbringing you can see that the Adventures of Tom Sawyer would never have came to exist without this town and this story with all the characters, such as Becky Thatcher, Huck Finn, being based on real people. Reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer we can all see there is a little of Tom Sawyer in all of us, even as adults remembering out youth. This is a book that speaks to the true meaning of youth, and being young and playful, as this book speaks to both the young and the old readers of today.

These illustrated classic books are perfect for the reluctant reader. These were given to a 5th grader who can read fairly well but who does not enjoy reading. He liked these books because of the illustrations on almost every page. The storyline is very close to the original classic, even to the point of using the same language nuances. Not only did the 5th grader read them, but so did his brother who is 7 (and an advanced reader). Highly recommend!

We read Tom Sawyer in my 8th grade Literature class this year, and although the story was interesting, shall we say, at times, it wasn't exactly the kind of book I would just pick up and read. It was long-winded, confusing, and was written in an odd dialect that sometimes made it very difficult to discern what the author was saying. I'll admit that a lot of the time I would mostly be using context clues to get through the confusing language. (at this point, you're probably wondering why I rated the book 4 stars...I'm getting to that) You see, although the language was oftentimes difficult to understand, the storyline itself was quite entertaining. Most people have probably heard of Tom Sawyer's punishment to whitewash the fence, and how he tricked his friends into doing it for him, but reading about why he was being punished, and how exactly he went about doing the tricking was HILARIOUS! I wish I could be half as clever as Tom! Huckleberry Finn was also an interesting character, and when he and Tom met up, you better watch out, because trouble was coming to town! Another reason I liked the book in the end is that it had some good life lessons included within the story. I don't think it's my place to tell you what you should learn by reading the book - that's for you to discover yourself after you read it! I will say that I have learned to try to keep a positive outlook on life. Tom Sawyer is a classic, although it may be frustrating and confusing at times, it will still be worth your time and energy to read. I sincerely hope you give the story a chance, and that you learn as much as I did from reading the book! P.S. Swinging a rat by its tail over your head is NOT a good way to snag a girlfriend, boys.

This review applies specifically to the April 2010, Sterling Edition, illustrated by Robert Ingpen: I'm beginning to feel quite frustrated with the limited publishing information given to books on Amazon. For example, most books where you may click to "look inside" will default to the most common paperback. For books like Tom Sawyer, that is fine if you need the book for high school English class, where any copy cheap enough to write notes in the margins will do. I wanted a copy of Tom Sawyer to keep and love. I saw this publication on Amazon, but it had so little info and the one review given was a single sentence about the general value of Twain's story. The truth is, one doesn't buy this particular printing unless one is already convinced of it's literary excellency! So I am about to do Amazon a huge favor by telling you what it didn't tell me. For about $15, the asking price at the time of this review, you can invest in a real treat for your self or someone you love and wish to inspire. This printing was meant to mark the one hundredth anniversary of Twain's death (2010). The story is unabridged, provided in full original text. It is positively rich with watercolor illustrations by Robert Ingpen. I just skimmed through the book looking for one that I especially liked, but I couldn't pick just one. In design, they are exactly as I would have dreamed them to be. Barefoot Tom, balancing a piece of straw on his nose, Huck Finn with a dead cat, Tom and puppy in church, Injun Joe- terrifying....each one pulls me in to read the text. The fabulous, wrapping cover art is also printed at the end of the book, so won't be lost if the dust jacket is damaged. The sewn binding is well constructed and the book lays nearly flat when open, so you may enjoy all of the pictures and layout without damaging the book. The inclusion of a pale blue place marking ribbon is a lovely touch. There is a thoughtful biography of Mark Twain proceeding the story. Also, provided are the author's and illustrators notes. I have a boy, six going on seven. He is a reader and is happy to consume Magic Tree House and Box Car Children books at alarming speed under the covers at night when he is supposed to be asleep. I'll admit I was missing our former habit of reading together. So we read classics aloud together as a family. For less money than a video game this book will provide hours of family entertainment. I hope my son will be inspired to read it again and again. It will have a place in our library and be a reference for years to come. It is heirloom quality. It would make a very special gift to a favorite boy of any age. In fact, I am considering getting another copy for my father, who loves Twain. Incidentally, not being able to ascertain the quality of this book through the Amazon web site, I went to a little local bookstore where I could put my hands on it first. I ended up buying it there, paying full price- about $5 more than Amazon was asking. They wrapped the book for free in nice heavy paper and since there was no shipping- I think I came out better for it. Before my son had opened this package, he knew it was a book to be awed by. Awesome it is- mostly for Mark Twains' masterful kntting of prose, but also for the cover and publishing.

Como não há edição nacional pra colecionador resolvi procurar uma importada. Caso alguém queira saber! Essa edição é hardcover. Essa capa azul com detalhes amarelos é uma dust jacket. A capa dura é revestida de tecido azul, a lombada tem inscrição em dourado. As folhas são meio amareladas e um tanto grossas. As ilustrações são bem legais ora no canto da página, ora no centro, ora na margem. Pena que algo assim, com boa tradução, seja só uma esperança...

It is interesting that my reading of Mark Twain's classic stories has coincided with a literary argument about a newly published version that has censored some of the terms that are not politically correct in the modern world (I should emphasise that this is the original version with the naughty words). I am sure opinion is divided about such a move, but I cannot help but feel that such words, incorrect as they are now considered, should not be removed from masterpieces that were written so long ago. Many students have grown up on a diet of compulsory books that were poured over at school, of which Mark Twain's often featured, and surely the debate over slavery and racist terminology is one that everybody should be exposed to. Of course, this aspect is a minor part of a collection of stories that paint an endearing picture of mid 19th century smalltown USA. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn are a mischievous pair, always thinking up new games and having the kind of childhood that many an adult would wish to have copied. The book gives a real insight into how their community functioned, the spirit that bound it together and the rules upon which it was built. The language used is, by Twain's own admission, his take on the many dialects from the Mississippi basin, and whilst it does not always flow as smoothly as modern English, it is easy to understand. It is not for me to pass judgement on the quality of the books, there are many people who are far more qualified than me to do that, but the stories are simple, beautifully written and draw the reader into a world that we have left behind. I never read this at school, but wish that I had.

On se rappelle tous du dessin animé de notre jeunesse et on retrouve ici avec bonheur l'histoire originale, bien moins lisse et tout public. Tom et Huck font leur quatre cents coups et sortent bien contents de leurs déboires avec Joe l'Indien... un vrai plaisir à lire et relire.

Excelente empastado y calidad del libro.

enjoyed reading this tom sawyer book took me back to my school days which was last time i read it really good read