The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Manga Classics

by Stacy King (Adaptor), Crystal S. Chan (Contributor), Kuma Chan (Illustrator)

The rascal Tom Sawyer can't stay out of trouble for a single minute! In this tale full of childhood mischief, adventure, and trouble, Tom turns the Mississippi town of St. Petersburg on its ear nearly every day - but there's a darker side to this town as well. When his childish adventures take a deadly turn, Tom and his outcast friend, Huckleberry Finn, must find a way to rise to the challenge, or else...!

Manga Classics presents the charming and rambunctious Mark Twain narrative that brings the 19th-century American South roaring to life ( complete with original text ). The Adventure of Tom Sawyer is the first half of the story that concludes in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn .

Genres: Manga, Classics, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga, Comics, Adventure

303 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2018

About the author

Hi there! I'm a Toronto-based writer and editor who works in both prose and graphic novel formats, usually for younger readers.

My current projects include:

Dungeons and Dragons Young Adventurer's Guides - introducing new players to the classic role-playing game through amazing new artwork and streamlined prose.

Manga Classics - faithful adaptations of western literary classics with Japanese-style artwork.

Beyond writing, my interests include historical costuming, comics, manga, young adult fiction, magic realism, chocolate, and the oxford comma.

Reviews

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good adaptation, with cute character designs and the story was well adapted as well, though the fact that Jim was a boy around Tom and Huck's age bugged me, as he was not, he was an adult in the original. Other than that, some things were cut a bit short, but overall it was a quick cute read and a good way to get a reluctant reader to maybe pick up the actual novel as well as a nice revisit for someone who had already read it.
I am really liking this series so far, and am looking forward to more!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Segundo libro de esta colección lo he disfrutado, aunque no puedo afirma como en el anterior que es una buena adaptación porque no he leído o si lo he leído sería una adaptación infantil. Esta muy completo me gusta de la pagina 1 a la ultima.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*

Vídeo de Opinião em: https://youtu.be/WH6VBqcNRok

Mais um trabalho incrível da Manga Classics! Uma excelente adaptação, leve e divertida, muito bem construída.

[Grace DuBois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book!!!
When a great classic is put into manga format.... it's hard to go wrong!

[Derek Royal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text is more or less faithful to the original, although I don't necessarily feel fidelity is a key to an effective adaptation. The art is fine, although problematic in places. At times there are "lapses" in the adapted storyline to where a knowledge of the original would be necessary, and this text could have benefited in a few places by more editing. But it's a fascinating manga rendering of a Twain classic.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are a pair of mischievous boys, determined to find an adventure even if they have to make it up as they go along. Chan and Chan's adaptation wonderfully depicts the boys' lively, carefree movements and attitudes with a combination of Twain's original text and dialog and new illustrations.

As with most manga, presented characters are incredibly expressive and help carry the emotions and motives of the story without the original descriptions. Key scenes are depicted with great humor and drama, portraying the original plot very well and with a dramatic flourish Tom Sawyer would be proud of. The Author's Note offers a glimpse into the adaptation process including artistic choices and historical research which will encourage more than one reader to revisit scenes.

While the story and art work well together, the actual selection of text was a pitfall that will turn many readers away. This adaptation utilizes only Twain's original words, causing some of the scenes to clash with repetitious information in both the illustrations and the dialog and even slowing the progression of the story at times.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Tom Sawyer when I was in 8th grade and don’t remember it all that well. I remember the movie more (I have it but haven’t watched it in years), and I remember being extremely frightened of Injun Joe! This Manga Classics edition keeps that fear from the villain in a way that holds true to the original writing of the novel at well as using gorgeous art to show some of the frightening thing that Tom and Huck witness. Tom is just a boy who wants to do whatever, but he generally conforms to society like a good boy, even finding interest in a pretty girl. When he spends time with Huck Finn, people look down on him, especially because of Huck’s upbringing. The way in which this manga is written is much easier to access than its counterpart, Huckleberry Finn, and deals with a whole different slew of global issues such as honesty, helping others, and doing the right thing. One of the things I didn’t quite understand was why Huck Finn was published first, but it is irrelevant now that both are out. Even though Tom Sawyer chronologically comes first, Huck Finn appears to be a larger project to tackle when recreating these beautiful Manga Classics editions. Once again, a volume I can definitely see myself using in the classroom!

These two volumes are no disappointment and as always, I am looking forward to the next Manga Classics publications. This duo set is nice in that hey go together as a story, and if you place the covers together, they make a single image. I hope Manga Classics does more combos like this!

[Soobie has fog in her brain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it a bit better than Huck Finn... And it was also less difficult to read it, from a linguistic point of view.

I guess I should read the Cliff's Notes for both book, though. I fear I missed tons of references to the context and I think my understanding of the whole book is not complete.

Anyway, it seems to me that this book is a bit more lively than Huck's. Tom does a lot of things to keep the reader interested. There's a trip to the island, a girl, a treasure, an homicide. Who knows I may be read the original novel in the future.

Great artwork, though. I really love these adaptions. And I'm really looking forward to reading Romeo and Juliet. I'm one of those people who save the best for last.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little adaptation of Mark Twain's immortalized mischievous character, Tom Sawyer. Though I love the "manga classics" series as a whole, I must admit, this one didn't draw me as quickly as the others, despite loving the original novel as well as the rest. Still, once the pace starts to pick up, the story that I love so much grew on me in manga form. The best part about these "manga classics" is that they're a great way to get people interested in reading the original, or returning to it for the first time in years. Tom Sawyer's adorable manga self was no exception in that.

[S.S.G. Danvers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha sido una auténtica delicia volver a encontrarme con Tom, que tan buenos ratos me hizo pasar de pequeña. Tenía 13 o 14 años cuando leí la novela original de Mark Twain, y aunque recordaba el argumento en líneas generales, he disfrutado muchísimo con los detalles de las aventuras y travesuras de Tom. Ha sido como volver a aquella época. Creo que es uno de los clásicos manga que más me ha gustado, supongo que por todos los recuerdos que me ha traído. Espero que traigan también el de Huck 🥰
Tú descalzo siempre vas, Tom Sawyer
Junto al río a pasear, Tom Sawyer...

[Eithar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stupidly funny, 5 stars for the expressions. What I love the most is their accent. There was no accent in the previous mangas from the same adaption. It's really good story to read as refreshing. The yellow head girl is given more than she deserves, I didn't like her which made me like the story even less aside with the adapting. I felt there are lots of missing parts, maybe cuz the original is too long(?). Yet it's really fun to read. . .

I think I'd buy Huckleberry Finn next but not anytime soon. Hope there's no cheesy romance.

[Mary Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although reading these classics in the novel form is the absolute best, these manga classics are so quick and fun to read! I mean, how can you NOT love to read about the escapades of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn? Besides, the story is so fun to read with the entertaining artwork to accompany the story. It was almost like watching the movie! Now- onward to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn! Tom and Huck - adventures for any mother of boys or grandsons to enjoy or to even read to the next generation.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite not retaining a lot of Mark Twain's beautifully descriptive writing, it does feature almost the entire spoken dialogue of the book without omission.

The illustrations are black and white, and unlike some of the other manga classics, the characters in these are truly individual and unique...I especially love the black and white hair streak they give Huck or the "creepy" blind eye they give Injun Joe.
It was very respectfully and honorably done.

[Lierin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The manga classics always made with such a rereadable quality. In every step they take, they are honoring the source material and adapting the feel of each moment so it brings to life texts that might otherwise have dulled over time.
I particularly love the character designs in this. They've really struck the right chord for Tom and Huck.

I highly recommend not just for anyone who likes Mark Twain, but for anyone looking for a good little manga to read.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice adaption to the classic to bring a bit of history back from the dead. The text stays consistent and the art allows readers to understand the history when the words might still be a little difficult though it's no mystery the issues that Tom (and then Huckleberry Finn) are also facing.

This re-telling is worth having on the shelves and will continue with the second one.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've mentioned before how awfully fond I am of this series, and why, so to summarize:

1. Great for reluctant readers.
2. Great way to make the classics fun.
3. Great for kids who have reading disabilities or verbal processing issues.
4. Lovely art.

There you go. If you don't have this series at your library, really think about adding it. School libraries would also benefit here.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to preface this review by saying that I've never read the source material, and with that comes me not understanding parts of the book. It also felt like it moved really fast through plot points and that made them feel like they had little importance. On the other hand, I thought the book was pretty fun to read.

[Ainhize Goenaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!! I haven't read the book, but I think it looks like a great adaptation.
I am eager to read the book after this manga version.
I will definitelly buy The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn too!!!

[TOPCATHOUSEPETSDIGIANIMEFAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

SQUEEEEEEEE I JUST BOUGHT THIS BOOK AND I LOVE IT EVERYBODY LOOKS GREAT ALL THE CHARCTER'S IN THE NOVEL ARE IN THE BOOK ESPECIALLY THE BEST RIVAL OF ANIME ALFRED TEMPLE EXCEPT I LOVE IT EXCEPT FOR ONE PROBLEM IT DID'NT SHOW THE FIGHT BETWEEN TOM AND ALFRED

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this alongside the original novel.
GREAT adaptation! Stayed true to the story while bringing it to life with fun illustrations 😄
Love this story and happy this was adapted into a manga for a quick revisit to Tom's adventures 😊

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's cute

[Laia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4’5

[Evey Miell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing, it was a great story and it was told well and the art was fantastic its a really fun and enjoyable way to learn about history 10/10 I would buy this book <3

[Kiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real example of what "boys will be boys" actually looks like. Tom is a kid being a kid and it's delightful! Beautiful art as always.

[Thomas Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun read!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was so cute. It kept all the parts from the original novel and added cute drawings.

[Andrómeda C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como todos los cómics de esta editorial, bastante fiel

[Kadee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this adaptation. It makes it very easy to understand what is actually happening in the plotline.

[:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a native boy in his own world yet still struggling.