Rating: 
Summary: American treasure
Review: This book - along with its sequel, The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn - are treasure of American literature, and have added immeasurably to the lexicon of popular fiction. You can see in this book the incredibly wide influence it permeated: countless images that are prevalent in it are now commonplace not only in literature but also in television - and, indeed, everywhere. So much so that, if you are just now reading this story, you may find it hackneyed and cliched. And it certainly can seem that way... but what you have to realize is that this is the book where those very cliches were CREATED. The book is simply that influential. It's a timeless, universal tale. Although it may have been reading mainly for children, it can - and should - definitely be enjoyed by everybody. The imagination in the writing and the sheer adventure and narrative drive of the story will fascinate children of all ages, and may very well spark an early love of reading in their lives. There is a reason why Tom Sawyer is one of the most widely prevalent works of literature among young children. However, the book exists on a whole other level. The character of Tom Sawyer symbolizes the child in us all - what we once were, or what we'd like to be - again, perhaps - and the innocence that we have all so irretriably lost. The book also has, as is always the case with Twain, a masterful wit prevalent in the writing. Keen observations on society and human nature - not to mention the none-too-subtle comments on religion and superstition that are in this book, and rarely noted (the book is quite a good satire of religion in its own way - completely different from the way Twain later did it in works like Letters From The Earth) - and contains many bits of wit and interlaced commentary that will surely be lost on younger readers, but which older and more perceptive readers will enjoy immensely. The book exists, and is excellent, on many different levels. This is truly an American classic, and an essential read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Slice of Americana Pie
Review: Good fiction writers don't use clichés, they create them. Twain ranks right up there with Shakespeare at adding to the English lexicon. But unlike Bill, Mark is all ours. In Tom Sawyer he captured the very essence of small-town American life in the 1800s. Where Shakespeare gave us phrases to repeat for centuries, Twain burned images in our combined psyche: rough little school-hating boys with frogs in their pockets and adventure in their minds; snobby pig-tailed young ladies in frilly skirts; no-account town drunks; a hard-working and god-fearing populace; hilarious superstitions. One could argue that the Little Rascals and the Andy Griffith show are direct descendants of this influence.When I first read this book as a kid, I enjoyed the underlying adventure story, but missed the incredible wit and allegory. The book is fantastic on so many levels. The tale leads the clever and precocious Tom Sawyer through a series of minor incidents as he outwits friends and family in his never-ending quest to avoid work and school. He is also romantically drawn to the new girl in town, Becky Thatcher, the judge's daughter. The plot heats up when he and his low-life friend Huck Finn sneak into the cemetery at night to exorcise warts with a dead cat--but end up witnessing a murder by Injun Joe. The various plot elements all weave together in true brilliance for a very satisfying conclusion. Twain even allows his young character to do something everybody at one time or another wishes they could do: witness his own funeral. This is a national treasure. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead
Rating:
Summary: Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Review: Tom Sawyer was just a normal, old-fashioned boy. He hated school, yet he loved to play hooky. He was disciplined, but he broke the rules. Tricks and prans are what this boy was all about. Misbehaving, yet loving, Tom loved adventure. In theis book, his adventures are told and his thoughts unveiled. It's all about school and hooky, pranks and punishments, rules and regulations, villains and desperate adventure, all seen through the eyes of a young and lonely boy.
This book is underestimated for its powers to put the reader in a state of fantasy. For me, it broke the rules of this world and exposed the boundaries of imagination. I obviously loved the way Mark Twain set up this story of this young boy and his attitude towards life. It gave me a different perspective on the world, and I now have an opinionated mind on what happens in this world today. Tom represents the inner child that everyone holds within themselves. However, he is free and lives the dreams we all wish we could.
Though there are many "Kodak moments" in this book, there is one part that really captured my mind. When Tom fell in love with the new girl, Becky Thatcher, it just seemed like a spark of puppy love and nothing more. But, when he asked her about getting engaged, I just hit the floor laughing. It was so preposterous that I really didn't know how else to react besides laughing my head off. This bit just showed me how imaginative Mark Twain could really be. It's not everyday a boy and girl at that young age would get engaged!
Rating:
Summary: Book Review
Review: This book, considered one of the classics of American Literature, tells the story of Thomas Sawyer, a mischievous boy who gets in many troubles and adventures together with his friends Huckleberry Finn, Joe Harper, and his beloved girlfriend from school, Becky Thatcher. Tom lives with his aunt Polly, his sister Mary and his well-behaved younger brother Sid, who always sneaks on him. He is a very playful and imaginative kid, whose games of pirate and Indian sometimes go far beyond the limits of imagination and take a much more real stance. Mark Twain explores Tom's mind as a child, exposing its dreams and weaknesses, taking the reader back to his childhood memories and making this book a must-read classic for all ages.
Rating:
Summary: For both kids and adults
Review: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain follows the adventures
of a boy in small town Missouri. Readers experience the journey through the eyes of Tom as his search for adventure and excitementleads to more trouble than he asked for. This
book is for readers of all ages. For adults it brings back the
memories of youth. For kids it reveals the unlimited possibilities of their young lives. This book reminded me of my
mischeif and pranks when I was younger. And it was great to connect with Tom, to understand he had problems like every other normal teen. This book explores the mature world while still preserving the innocence of youth. Whether you're 8 or 80 The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a perfect book.
Rating:
Summary: Admirable
Review: Have you ever done any dangerous adventures with any of your friends? Well here's a chance to give you a hint how Tom and Huck pass their day inventing their crazy adventures. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was a great book because I liked the way it went, it wasn't slow at all and it was a book that was filled with actions and scary parts. Tom and Huck are two guys that live in this place with a similar look like a forest. It was a place were Tom and Huck Finn were free to make any of their dangerous adventures. I think that Huck did a great job by living alone near the graveyard. A great part is when Tom and Huck play "Marbles" and "Ring taw" with all of his other friends. Some days Tom ate supper and Huck came by him for dig hole in the bar and find turtle eggs. Tom loved to practice his clever art painting fences, indulging with magic.
Tom loved to stay with his older friens Huck, so one day they decided to have a camping and Tom aunt Polly and his mother looked for hi day and night. This kids were full of adventures. An adventure that they loved to do was visit the grave yard which that is on ething I wouldn't do in real life. Tom loved to organized escapes from his over bearing aunt Polly. Even if Tom was at a Fire at a family meeting at a murder or at a reassure hunt he still needed to organize an escape to hook up to Huck. The part when Huck was under the river bridge with Tom and camouflage with mud all over their body and also when Tom falls with Becky in to the bridge.
The chapter that I liked the most were chapter one because it tells how Tom is before and after he meets his dearing friend Huck, another chapter that I really like was when Tom first meets Becky on his first day of school. Toms first day of school was a tragedy because for Tom wakind up was so hard thinking of his day and thinking that it is just the first day. Well adventures could happen but fun adventures are hard to do.
Rating:
Summary: Tom is the bomb
Review: I have enjoyed reading this book very much. The words the author used were very understandable. This is a story about the adventures of a young boy. I think people who read it will be inspired to follow their dreams. I highly recommend this book to any reader and any other books by the same author.
Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs up!
Review: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, written by Mark Twain, is truly a timeless story that has the capability to intrigue all ages. It is set in the mid-19th century, in a small town along the Mississippi River. Twain takes the reader into the mind of a carefree, innocent boy who views life as a perpetual hoilday. That character, Tom Sawyer, has an intense desire to enjoy life, and to not take things too seriously; which usually results in trouble following just two steps behind him. Tom is an electrifying little boy; one who chases girls, likes adventure, does not like church, school, or rules, has a vivid imagination, and uses his power of persuasion to help talk his way out of almost anything. Throughout this book, Tom makes friends, breaks engagements, runs away, witnesses a murder, and ventures to find lost treasure-all in his home town. Although he is a lovable character from page one, we see Tom grow as a person throughout this novel. Mark Twain does an excelleny job of hitting issues that many kids can relate to, but at the same time, he writes about many issues adults can relate to as well. Twain slips many moral and ethical issues into this novel, satarizing topics such as religion, school, adult maturity, and human hypocracy. His wit and sense of humor add a clever edge to the book. I would recommend The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to anyone, but mainly for a family reading, or adults take interest in reliving life as a child. This novel will force you to think about society today, and the book's pricipal themes seem to be problems that civilization will forever have to overcome. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Mark Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer is truly an American classic. I enjoyed how he was able to capture the spirit of childhood within his writing. The stories that he told of young Tom were funny and very enjoyable to read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys comedies, stories about childhood, or anyone who likes other works by Twain early in his career.
Rating:
Summary: The Appraisment of Boyhood!
Review: "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is the one book that enshrines boyhood (but the sequel has typically been misunderstood: 'Huck Finn' is not about race, politics, or upcoming America; Like Tom Sawyer, it is a recognition of the vitality of youth). Tom is the seed for Alvin Seville, Ferris Bueler, and Zach Morris. Tom is self-reliant, intelligent, and moody. But he remains a conformist, as does Huck Finn: 1. Tom does not like to be seen in public with Huck.
2. Tom only lets Huck in "the gang" on the condition that Huck
clean himself up and get "civilized."
3. Tom has a wild imagination, but he only does things as are done "in the books."
4. Huck has a mind of his own-except when it comes to Tom. Huck
never disobeys Tom. He never outright frees Jim because Tom
will not let him. But to be fair to Huck, Tom is a kind of brother/father figure which Huck never properly had. 5. Huck is a drifter, yes, but would he still be a drifter if his father was not a violent drunk? There are other examples, but I think I have established my point. But then, I do not look down on Tom and Huck for their conformity. I am disappointed, at times. On the whole, I respect them for having superstition, comedy, and a sense for adventure.
Tom and Huck are, albeit their conformity, heroes. They tell the truth when the time is right, they save lives, and so on. Tom Sawyer is one of the most important books ever written.
His being a racist prevents him from being a role model to conservative parents. But they were racist times, more than our own. A racist today is more punishable because he has less excuse for being a racist. If you look at the other Sawyer books, Huck is nearest to losing his racism as he befriends Jim. Whenever a Tom Sawyer book is read, the reader is a boy again. Only Twain could revive childish sentiments. Tom Sawyer is a fun, postive book. Twain was careful to call them "adventures" because we all of us want adventures. G.K. Chesterton said that adventures were inconveniences rightly considered. I suggest that Tom Sawyer is perhaps a better book than Huckleberry Finn, though modern academia does not agree with me.
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