A review by couillac
The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher by Jessica Lawson

3.0

In this reimagining of the classic Tom Sawyer story, Tom is relegated to the role of supporting character (and a suck-up tattletale at that) while spunky, adventurous Becky Thatcher, her friend Amy, and Tom's half-brother Sid embark on a series of small-town escapades. Debut author Lawson captures the spirit of Twain's original story and even his way with language while creating an accessible, engaging narrative for elementary school readers. Becky arrives with a detailed backstory and fully-realized personality, and the presence of a steamboat operator named Sam Clemens who is inspired by Becky's story makes for a satisfying connection to the original Tom Sawyer tale. Full of old-fashioned adventure and just the right amount of small-town quirk, it should have broad appeal with a wide range of young readers.