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.