In this beautifully illustrated biography, Mark Twain's adventures as a young boy come to life. Before Samuel Clemens became a famous author, he enjoyed one of the longest childhoods in history. From playing hooky in Hannibal, Missouri, to piloting steamboats on the Mississippi River, Mark Twain's adventures as a youth influenced his entire life and figured prominently in his writing. Focusing on the first half of Clemens's life, this book will be enjoyed by longtime Twain devotees--and by those who seek a colorful introduction to the ever-popular author and his works.