I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer way back when, so it was interesting to reread Twain's most famous work as an adult. I honestly felt like this story grew on me as I got further into it. The beginning was a bit much for me, with Aunt Polly's fussing and Tom's silly antics....and then some things got REAL. The tone of the book changed and became more solemnly about loyalty, love, friendship, and survival skills - not excluding mental fortitude in times of crisis. Is it weird that I think of this less as a children's book now? I mean, it's a classic either way. (3.5/5 stars.)