On of the most popular novels of nineteenth-century America, Tom Sawyer evokes an endless innocence, delights in spontaneous acts of heroism and chivalry and is an unparalleled celebration of childhood. Ton is one of the bad boys of his home town, St Petersburg, Missouri. Reckless, lazy, maddeningly inquisitive, he is a poor scholar and a menace to his Aunt Polly. His schemes for avoiding work, school and punishment are quite sublime. In his own world, however, the world of rivers, forests, caves and islands, he is in his element; even something of a hero.