Grade 5 Up-British actor Mike McShane provides a superb portrayal of Mark Twain's classic characters, nailing the Mississippi drawl and cadence. For those who know and love the story or are following along with an unabridged edition, however, this production is marred somewhat by what the publisher has chosen to leave out. The more descriptive chapters are shortened or expurgated entirely, which is understandable in the interest of editing for time. Some of the more distasteful racial epithets are gone as well, although Injun Joe retains his moniker. Sid and Mary are also cut entirely, as well as references to smoking, slavery, most of Tom's ludicrously funny romantic notions about the violence inflicted by pirates and robbers, and even the naked figure in the schoolmaster's anatomy book. The result is a watered down Tom and, especially, Huck. The ending also lacks the satisfaction of the original version. The party scene where the fortune is revealed has been cut as has Twain's concluding paragraphs which "endeth this chronicle." It lacks even the closure of the customary, "You have been listening to-." The sturdy plastic case will survive many circulations. If your facility serves an elementary-age population for which the language of the original would not be appropriate, or there is a teacher looking for a sanitized version, McShane's excellent performance makes this edition worth recommending.

Diana Dickerson, White Pigeon Community Schools, MI

Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Huckleberry Finn may be the greater book, but Tom Sawyer has always been more widely read. Moreover, it is a book that can be enjoyed equally by both children and adults. Twain, who called it a "hymn" to boyhood, would be thrilled that in narrator Patrick Fraley his hymn has found its most passionate voice. Many good unabridged readings of Tom Sawyer have already been recorded, but most are simply that: readings. Fraley's performance is something more; in attempting to bring each character to life, his enthusiasm for the material is so palpable that the mere sound of his voice commands attention. A can't-miss addition to all libraries, including those that have other Tom Sawyer programs. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA

Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

A captivating version of Mark Twain's classic yarn about an orphan growing up on the Mississippi. The narrator's voice resembles Twain's; he uses Twain's language. The reader for Tom does an exceptional job. A few of the minor characters sound forced, but don't ruin the performance. For all ages. A 1999 Parents' Choice® Recommendation. (Parents' Choice®) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN.]--Recorded over a decade ago, these volumes suffer from a few bad edits and sound quality inferior to today's standards. Tim Behrens does a spirited job performing both, fully voicing the characters and keeping his touch light. But he adds an inappropriately mincing quality to the children and women he impersonates and emphasizes the low humor. These are definitely not the most profound interpretations of these classics but are amusing enough for the casual listener. Y.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

"Fraley has many virtues: a gift for voices and dialect, incredible energy, an obvious and infectious delight in his material." --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

"The humor and high-spirited adventure of Mark Twain’s classic are here in full in this exuberant performance." --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

"This is that rare audiobook that can truly be enjoyed by all ages." --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

"Show me a finer recording, and I reckon I’ll eat it, by Jimminy!" --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

"His clear, distinct, resolute voice is filled with a liveliness... in a reading to be enjoyed by all ages." --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

"The humor and high-spirited adventure of Mark Twain's classic are here in full in this exuberant performance. Fraley, a veteran voice-over actor who has provided voices for thousands of cartoons, radio shows, and commercials, tells the story in a lively country twang and energetically acts out all the parts, offering a veritable one-man show. Especially entertaining are the scenes in which Tom wheedles his way our to trouble wit his aunt, tries to charm Becky Thatcher, or gets into a heated argument with a schoolmateFraley effortlessly switches back and forth between voices, throwing himself into each part with gusto. This is that rare audiobook that can truly be enjoyed by all ages." --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

"Twain had a greater effect than any other writer on the evolution of American prose." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.