The Trouble Begins at 8

In this engaging biography, Sid Fleischman chronicles the vibrant life of Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, who transitioned from a barefoot boy in Missouri to a celebrated author. After abandoning his steamboat pilot career, Clemens ventured into the West in search of fortune, only to face a series of humorous misadventures, including a duel while working as a newspaperman. It was in a San Francisco hotel room that he adopted his iconic pen name and gained fame with his unique stories, including "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn." Fleischman presents a compelling account of Twain's journey as a wisecracking rebel who unexpectedly rose to become one of America's most revered literary figures.