The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Samuel Clemens

I chose this as my 'classic' to read for the contest. It is one of Clemens first novels, and represents Tom Sawyer as a good hearted soul, much given to theatricality.   I was struck by how much this is a sitcom or a good yarn of small town life in the Midwest since so many of the characters are stereotypes and much of the humor is the 'aw shucks', variety. While the plot is quite far-fetched, as befits a good yarn, Clemens captures the flavor and dialogue of small town life and is full of witty observations and good humor.  You are probably familiar with the basic story, in which the orphan Tom Sawyer and his pals engage in adventures including dodging the town villain, Injun Joe.  The story climaxes with Tom and Polly getting lost in the local cave and being given up for dead.  164 pages; written 1876.