The classic tale of a young boy’s adventures on the Mississippi in the nineteenth century. Mark Twain’s classic  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer  has been enjoyed by generations of readers across the world since its publication in 1876. With its humorous glimpses into life in nineteenth-century, small-town America, this novel has provided unique social commentary that continues to be discussed in classrooms today. Tom Sawyer, a mischievous boy growing up in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, is constantly getting in and out of trouble with his friend Huckleberry Finn. Based on Twain’s own childhood, this novel not only gives profound insights into American life but also shows how children can develop moral codes based on friendship, loyalty, and respect.   Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835, Mark Twain is arguably the best-known American author. Most celebrated for his witty and satirical writing, Twain was also very well-known during his lifetime for his oratory and storytelling skills. Twain passed away in April 1910.