Every child who has ever been tempted by blue skies and sunshine will identify with Tom's predicament: it's a beautiful day, and he wants to play at the swimming hole..."not" on the piano. So crafty Tom hides from Aunt Polly—what youngster in his place wouldn't? And that's what makes this perfectly crafted excerpt from an acknowledged classic so enjoyable on its own.

It's justly the most celebrated and amusing episode from Tom Sawyer: the unforgettable chapter when Aunt Polly orders Tom to whitewash her huge fence before he can go fishing. Lucky children will have the joy of experiencing it all for the first time—Tom's wily idea, his friends' gullibility, and a job well done with no effort on the hero's part—thanks to this delightful, simplified version.

It isn t nice to tell a lie even when you re trying to help someone. That s the lesson Tom and young readers learn in his latest entertaining adventure. It s Tom s brother s birthday, so when he accidentally breaks the sugar bowl, Tom takes the blame. But Aunt Polly saw what actually happened, and now both boys are in trouble. Will they find a way to make things right?"

Tom’s got a test that he hasn’t studied for?and it’s practically making him sick! Too sick for school? Hmm, maybe his throat does feel sore. But when Doctor Robinson comes round with his awful-tasting medicines, maybe that test doesn’t look so bad after all.

Hurrahsummer has arrived, school s out, and Tom is ready for adventure! So off Tom, Huck Finn, and Joe Harper go on a raft to Pirate Island in search of treasure. But when they enter a scary bat cave, Tom may find more excitement than he bargained for."