Mark Twain: An American Star (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History) - Softcover

MacLeod, Elizabeth

3.83

6 ratings by Goodreads

9781553379096: Mark Twain: An American Star (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1553379098 ISBN 13: 9781553379096

Publisher: Kids Can Press, 2008

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This book in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series introduces young readers to the famous writer, comedian, world traveler and lecturer. This poor boy born Sam Clemens grew up to write books that changed literature in America and around the world. Celebrated around the world for his humorous writings, Mark Twain often had little to laugh about in his life. He was plagued by financial difficulties, and his wife and three of his children all died before him. Despite these setbacks, he maintained the broadly appealing sense of humor that made him the first American star.

From his Mississippi boyhood, through the Civil War, his years of fame following the publication of Huckleberry Finn, and his business reversals and family tragedies, Mark Twain's story is a fascinating trip through a changing United States. Includes many photos, reproductions of contemporary art and artifacts, newspaper excerpts, a timeline of Twain's life, an index and a list of places to visit.

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About the Author:

Elizabeth MacLeod has written many children's books, including nine titles in the Snapshots Biography series, numerous titles in the Kids Can Read, Kids Books Of and Kids Can Do It series, Why Do Horses Have Manes?, What Did Dinosaurs Eat?, and Monster Fliers. She lives in Toronto.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3–6—This is an engaging introduction to a fascinating icon in the history of American literature. The text is clever and convincing and the level of detail is perfect for the intended age group. Readers are left curious about the controversies surrounding Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn and appreciative of Twain's exceptional and humorous writings. Many kids will go straight to the fiction shelves after they finish this book. The organization is excellent; the narrative is arranged chronologically and is easy to follow. Each spread contains text on the left side and a collage of well-captioned photos, illustrations, and reproductions on the right. A cartoon figure of Twain provides comments or additional information in dialogue boxes. The copyright page contains a list of photo credits, but there are no sources listed for the text. The time line at the back of the book is helpful but contains an error—it lists Twain's father's death as 1848 but he actually died in 1847. Regardless, this is a solid choice for most libraries.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL
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