This novel is a partly autobiographical account of a boy's life along the Mississippi of the 19th century. Twain fills the story with mischief and hilarity, with the aim of entertaining children and reminding adults of their own childhood. This concise supplement to Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer helps you understand the overall structure of the work, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Author Biography: A Fullbright scholar at the University of Vienna, James L. Roberts is Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He has taught extensively at major universities throughout the world.