Mark Twain for Kids

July 1, 2004
A historical account of the famous humorist and author, Mark Twain for Kids: His Life &Times, 21 Activities by R. Kent Rasmussen combines the details of Samuel Clemens's life with craft projects including making printer's type from a raw potato or fashioning a paddlewheel boat using foamboard. Quotations from Twain ("When angry, count four; when very angry, swear"), a comparison of Tom Sawyer and Harry Potter, vintage illustrations and photos enliven this thorough text.

September 1, 2004
Gr 4-8-This book brings together the intrigue and excitement that were part of Samuel Clemens's life, captures his eccentricities, highlights his strengths, and displays his frailties. The times in which he lived are expertly described; for example, the ramifications of the Civil War and the effects of the gold rush become part of the writer's story. The parallels between Clemens's life and the experiences of the characters in many of his books are also made clear. Rasmussen's folksy, familiar style of writing demonstrates a strong comfort level with his subject and an accurate understanding of his audience. Woven throughout the narrative are activities that range from elaborate, time-consuming projects such as making printer's type with potato cutouts to easy, almost simplistic ideas such as being a detective simply by watching people and then making notes about them. Abundant sidebars, illustrations, and photographs all provide interesting tangents for readers to explore. While libraries are chock-full of books about Clemens, some even by Rasmussen, this one will be appealing to many young readers.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2004
Gr. 4-7. This appealing biography will make a useful resource for teachers and student researchers. Beginning with Twain's childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, and continuing through his days as a riverboat pilot and a gold prospector in the West, Rasmussen explains how real-life characters and episodes of Twain's life became such literary creations as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He also chronicles Twain's failures as a prospector and a businessman; his successes as a writer, lecturer, and storyteller; and his personal joys and sorrows as a family man. Plentiful black-and-white photos show Twain in his many occupations, as well as images of his family and homes, while etchings, reproduced news excerpts, and sidebars expand readers' understanding of Twain's times. Explanations of phrases such as "the Big Muddy" and activities for students round out this useful offering. A list of Twain's works, with "comments on their suitability for young readers," is appended, along with Web sites, relevant "places to visit," and a bibliography for young readers. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)