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Cover of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Young adult · Adventure

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

by Mark Twain

3.7 out of 5, from 1,157 ratings from Hardcover readers

Tom Sawyer is a mischievous boy growing up beside the Mississippi, always scheming his way out of chores and into trouble. A graveyard witness, a hunt for buried treasure and a cave all bring him closer to real danger.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
1864
Pace
Medium
Length
Short
Pages
231
Format
Book 1 of 4 in Adventures of Tom and Huck
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Read this if you want a funny, affectionate portrait of boyhood in a river town, with pranks, treasure hunts and a few real scares.

Skip this if you dislike period language, since the book carries racist terms and attitudes of its 1800s setting.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Death
  • Violence
  • Racism

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Racial slurs
  • Child abuse
  • Fire/Fire injury

Quick answers about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

What is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer about?
Tom Sawyer is a mischievous boy growing up beside the Mississippi, always scheming his way out of chores and into trouble. A graveyard witness, a hunt for buried treasure and a cave all bring him closer to real danger.
Who should read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?
Read it if you want a funny, affectionate portrait of boyhood in a river town, with pranks, treasure hunts and a few real scares. Skip it if you dislike period language, since the book carries racist terms and attitudes of its 1800s setting.
How long and how fast is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?
It is a medium-paced, short read of about 231 pages, first published in 1864.
Does The Adventures of Tom Sawyer have content warnings?
Content we flag: Death, Violence, Racism.
Can I borrow The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?
Readers who liked it often move on to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Treasure Island, Holes.

Where to get it

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