'Mark Twain: An American Star' 'The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West'
MARK TWAIN: AN AMERICAN STAR
By Elizabeth MacLeod
For ages 9-12
THE TROUBLE BEGINS AT 8:
A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West
By Sid Fleischman
For ages 9-12, coming in July
It's a good thing that Samuel Clemens lived a long life -- 74 years -- because he had a lot of living to do.
He was a sickly babe, causing his mother to proclaim: "I could see no promise in him." How wrong she was. Sam grew up to become a Mississippi riverboat pilot, a newspaper journalist and prospector in the Old West, a foreign correspondent traveling abroad and -- under the name we remember him by, Mark Twain -- a celebrated author and humorist.
These two new biographies will introduce you to this American treasure, whose creative mind gave birth to such classic literary characters as the adventurous Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and wonderful tales about jumping frogs and princes and paupers.
Sid Fleischman, a Newbery medalist for "The Whipping Boy," takes an in-depth look at Twain's early life, through the Wild West days.
Fleischman is a magician as well as a writer, and it shows in his magical way with words.
Elizabeth MacLeod has written more than two dozen children's books, including several biographies. This 32-page book has lots of photos (and cartoons), making it a better choice, perhaps, for younger readers looking for a brief overview of Twain's remarkable life.
Original Source : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062201819.html
