The adventures and pranks of a mischievous boy growing up in a Mississippi River town on the early nineteenth century. Here is one of the great American novels, illustrated by one of this country's most distinguished artists. Readers will enjoy the antics of that irrepressible boy-hero, Tom, who lies to his Aunt Polly and still is forgiven, wins the heart of Becky Thatcher by getting whipped at school, gets out of whitewashing a fence by tricking...

Tom just can't get along with his new classmate Alfred, and challenges him to a fighting match. On the way home, the boat they are aboard sinks and Tom rescues Alfred, who can't swim at all – winning Becky's praise.

Tom Sawyer doesn't like school much. Escaping from the schoolhouse, he's off to the woods to catch a wild pig with his friend Huck. Their attempts to sell the pig at the harbor end with a wild disturbance on the steamboat.

Mr. Dobbins, the schoolteacher, doesn't trust Tom, but all Tom's classmates like him. Younger brother Sid saves Tom from punishment at school. Later, Tom and Huck decide to conduct their treasure hunt at night, to avoid Indian Joe.

After Becky ignores Tom for five days, he decides to run away from home to be a pirate. During the night he sails to Jackson Island on a raft, along with Huck and Ben.

Tom is dismayed when Aunt Polly tells him he must spend his Saturday whitewashing the fence. Too long to paint in one day, Tom convinces his friends of the joys of the job, and soon has all the help he needs.

A large steamship comes to St Petersburg. Tom and Huck steal aboard for a trip. Next day, Tom boasts about their adventure, fascinating his classmates.

The villagers do not like drunken Muff and Indian Joe. Tom and Huck rescue Muff and he, in return, tells them about a treasure buried near St Petersburg. The boys decide they will find the treasure, and Indian Joe joins Muff in his search.

Ben and Huck miss the village, so Tom proposes that they return on the very day of their funeral. No other village children, Tom decides, have ever become the center of so much attention.

Tom goes fishing with Huck and Becky. They catch a big one, but only after Becky jumps in to lend a hand.