Mark Twain for Kids: His Life & Times, 21 Activities (7) (For Kids series) - Softcover

Rasmussen, R. Kent

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556525273 ISBN 13: 9781556525278

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2004

Synopsis

Nineteenth-century America and the world of Samuel L. Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, come to life as children journey back in time with this history- and literature-laden activity book. The comprehensive biographical information explores Mark Twain as a multi-talented man of his times, from his childhood in the rough-and-tumble West of Missouri to his many careers—steamboat pilot, printer, miner, inventor, world traveler, businessman, lecturer, newspaper reporter, and most important, author—and how these experiences influenced his writing. Twain-inspired activities include making printer’s type, building a model paddlewheel boat, unmasking a hoax, inventing new words, cooking cornpone, planning a newspaper, observing people, and writing maxims. An extensive resource section offers information on Twain’s classics, such as Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as well as a listing of recommended web sites to explore.

About this title

About the Author:

R. Kent Rasmussen is the author of several bestselling books on Mark Twain, including Mark Twain A to Z, which won the ALA's award for adult reference work, Mark Twain's Book for Bad Boys and Girls, and The Quotable Mark Twain. He is also the author of Farewell to Jim Crow, a New York Public Library "Best Book for Teens." He lives in Thousand Oaks, California.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 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
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About this edition

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1556525273
• ISBN 13: 9781556525278
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160