Becky Thatcher has her side of the story to tell—and it’s a whopper—in this creative spin on Mark Twain’s beloved The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, complete with illustrations.Tom Sawyer’s and Huckleberry Finn’s adventures are legendary, but what about the story you haven’t heard?
In 1860, eleven-year-old Becky Thatcher is the new girl in town, determined to have adventures like she promised her brother Jon before he died. With her Mama frozen in grief and her Daddy busy as town judge, Becky spends much of her time on her own, getting into mischief. Before long, she joins the boys at school in a bet to steal from the Widow Douglas, and Becky convinces her new best friend, Amy Lawrence, to join her.
But the theft doesn’t go as planned, and Widow Douglas ends up being unfairly accused of grave robbing as a result. So Becky concocts a plan to clear the Widow’s name. If she pulls it off, she might just get her Mama to notice her again, as well as fulfill her promise to Jon in a most unexpected way. That is, if that tattletale Tom Sawyer will quit following her around.
The Actual and Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher
"A rewarding read on many levels."
- Publishers Weekly STARRED review"All of the pieces are in place ... fitting affirmations of family, friendship, and remembrance."
- School Library Journal"The deliciously impetuous, devilishy clever, and uncommonly brave Becky Thatcher is now one of my all-time favorite heroines, and I'm desperate to follow her on more adventures. Captivating, exciting, and great barrels-full of fun, this is a book to adore."
- Anne Ursu, author of The Real Boy and Breadcrumbs"Beneath the lively story is a subtext that both primes readers for reading Mark Twain and responds to the question of where writers find inspiration….Delightful."
- Kirkus Reviews"This fast-paced tale is the perfect introduction to Mark Twain’s classic characters...Narrator Tavia Gilbert does a phenomenal job."
- School Library Journal, STARRED audiobook review
