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.