Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Wednesdays with Words: Tom Sawyer

Confession time.  I have never read Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn.  I was taking advance English classes so they had you analyze as many short stories as possible my junior year and we skipped these classics as as a result.  Yet, another great reason to homeschool, it gives you reason to return to these books.

Right now my middle and high school students at Artios Academy are reading and joying it.  They talked to me about it first thing this morning - and I teach history! I had to admit that I hadn't read it before and I wasn't as far as they are in it but that I was loving it too.  My mom and dad listened to it a few years ago on a long drive and they said they truly enjoyed it.  Finally, I am reading it.  I even got a cool version from Half Price Books with old timey pictures in it with big print!  It will make it easy to read aloud when the time comes.  I am not sure my oldest needs any encouragement in boyish pranks!


My favorite quote so far isn't landmark - just funny.

The choir always tittered and whispered all through service.  There was once a church choir that was not ill-bred, but I have forgotten where it was, now.  It was a great many years ago, and I can scarcely remember anything about it, but I think it was in some foreign country.  
Another good one:

Tom turned in without the added vexation of prayers, and Sid made a mental note of the omission. 
His turn of phrase is just so fun to read.  So this is not a HEAVY classic but it is one that I am glad to finally be reading!

See what others are reading at Ladydusk.  

2 comments:

  1. We're enjoying this one again. I found a good audio done in the vernacular which is very helpful for us Aussies!

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  2. Oh, we read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer last fall....and I'll confess, it was my first time as well.

    http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/2015/11/socratic-book-club-adventures-of-tom.html

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