Was ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ assigned reading at your school? / LJWorld.com

Asked at Massachusetts Street on October 14, 2011

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“It was. I don’t remember what grade, though.”

— Barb Thompson, Kansas University employee, Overland Park

“I read it on my own. It was good, but I liked ‘Huck Finn’ more.”

— Colin Bradt, Central Junior High School sixth-grader, Lawrence

“It wasn’t.”

— Shelby Lemon, graphic design major, Lawrence

“No.”

— Katie Walter, elementary education major, Lawrence

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Odeo 2 years, 6 months ago

"Tom Sawyer was a broad? I knew Mark Twain was ahead of his time and all but I'm surprised they openly discussed a transgendered person." - Autie

Nice roll, man. Am still laughing. I should have rolled that but mentally worn out. Perfect timing. Are you "Mayor Mike?"

Deja Coffin 2 years, 6 months ago

Yes Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn were required reading at dear old EHS when I was in school. "Dat truck dah is trash; en trash is what people is dat puts dirt on de head er dey fren’s en make ‘em ashamed.” I remember having to memorize this quote for class. Thank you Mr. Bova for helping me appreciate American classics like Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and The Great Gatsby.

Scott Morgan 2 years, 6 months ago

When we begin to change books we really begin to fog history. The truth is always somewhere in between. I read recently Columbus has gotten a bad rap.

Do kids know Native American tribes fought other N.A. groups and sold land? Yes, our Native Americans did in fact own land. ahhhhem, Baker Wetlands for instance? Do kids know Native Africans hunted and sold slaves?

LadyJ 2 years, 6 months ago

I remember when they came out with the politically correct bedtime story book http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politica... It was hilarious. They could do the same for Tom Sawyer. Bet the kids would read it just for fun.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

Profound, where in the hell have you been?! You're killing me! Seriously, I don't care who you are but I hope you show up more often.

profound 2 years, 6 months ago

Premature detonation over time usually leads to loss of privileges and replacement with a model that fires at the correct time. If it's black and greasy you should have it checked by a professional. It might be too late.

RoeDapple 2 years, 6 months ago

Don'tcha just love the big boy toys! . . .

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

For God's sake, Roe! Where can I get one of those? That is the ultimate. I took all of your suggestions, but I should have waited for Roe. I went ahead and removed the entire stock. Bad idea. When I was showing it to the cop on Kasold the damn thing went off. Now 3 of my fingers are broken and I'm still looking for the other 2. The cop didn't arrest me, though. He was laughing so hard he could barely get back in the car and drive off.

RoeDapple 2 years, 6 months ago

18 inch minimum barrel length and overall minimum of 26 inches. Best done by a gunsmith so you have paperwork confirming the legality of your firearm. With a $200 registration fee you can do it like this.

http://www.gunshowreview.com/SHOT2008/images/00-2-5-08-0125.jpg

Scott Morgan 2 years, 6 months ago

Rara, you cut almost all the barrel off. A little known fact.

After you do this, show it to a police officer, and he will stamp it legal. Laugh and tell him nobody tells Rara how long his shotgun should be. .

see you in 2 to 5 years.

profound 2 years, 6 months ago

Best thing with shotguns is to cut them off as short as you can. Then to make sure you got it right, stand out in the street with it and flag down a cop and ask him if it looks ok. It's part of their job to help you with stuff like that.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

I've gotten in a lot of trouble for premature detonation, but I like the black greasy stuff that comes out of my exhaust pipes.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

It's nice out. I'm working on sawing off one of my shotguns. How many inches of the barrel and stock do I take off? I'm going for a pistol grip type of thing.

SOS 2 years, 6 months ago

I buy alcohol free premium for my old outboard. Always test it myself at the pump.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

Steve Martin was the best gas station attendant ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFWZ37ziMag&feature=related

prospector 2 years, 6 months ago

Rara, how about the attendant? My buddies that did it enjoyed the window washing after the rise of the mini-skirt. Anybody else remember the pre-mini times and the shock it caused? Yuck, poodle skirts and bobbie socks were to blame.

Except Roe, he ran with flappers I hear.

prospector 2 years, 6 months ago

A. Mercedes and Lexus drivers cause there manual sez so. Betcha' Babboy runs premium.

B. Marketing

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

I need prospector's help on this one: A. What kind of moron buys mid-grade or premium gasoline? Why don't they just make regular and sell it for $2.4392143? B. Why that damn extra digit? Is this supposed to demonstrate transparency and integrity on the part of the oil companies? It's not working. Bring back the dinosaur! http://www.monsterbashnews.com/Morepics/SinclairOilLogo.jpg

BorderRat 2 years, 6 months ago

Yup, so was Catcher in the Rye. Talk about starting a free-for-all at the PTA that year.

Antonym 2 years, 6 months ago

When I was in fourth grade we had to read Reywas Mot by Niawt Kram. It's an obscure version written for children that got left behind in the southern hemisphere. It takes place in Yaugarap I think.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 6 months ago

I think we should discuss this further in a couple of weeks at a suitable retreat.

autie 2 years, 6 months ago

g-rock say should read tomsawyers in four gradecuz 8 grad needs somthung moor chalinger to read. four grades comprenshun gooder.

Sorry at the poor pun. Teachers are just scrambling to meet the stupid state standards imposed by the former barely C student, George Bush the Junior. I think about 30% of the students would enjoy that book at fourth grade level and the rest would just spin in circles with their game boys.

g_rock 2 years, 6 months ago

Now I wanna watch I Love You, Man because of the Rush thing. You all are invited too but I don't have much room on the couch. Someone bring beer. Thanks.

dogsandcats 2 years, 6 months ago

No. I have never read it. Saw the movie.

prospector 2 years, 6 months ago

I am sure it was.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

As brainiac as Rush is, some of thier lyrics are just silly, but not putrid like Oasis.

"Slowly walking down the hall Faster than a cannonbal"

Okay, which is it?

"Take that look from off your face"

Now, aren't you really saying "Put that look back on your face?" Oh yes, Gallagher Bros., you really were greater than the Beatles.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

Man, did I air-drum to Tom Sawyer............

BABBOY 2 years, 6 months ago

Yes it was.

And, when I went to school, the Moving Picutures version was all over the radio and could be heard in any high school parking lot.......loudly....

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

Believe it or not, I have a first edition copy of "Little Black Sambo". The only flaw is my barely legible name scribbled on the inside cover. I was just learning how to spell, but I guess I could get that fixed. Delightful children's story, nothing racist about it. I wasn't raised that way. I love all colors of the rainbow, especially women of the ebony persuasion. And if I dig it, my folks, family and friends dig it too. They like seeing me happy.

jlzack 2 years, 6 months ago

I wish! We had to read "The Scarlet Letter" & "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

Paul R Getto 2 years, 6 months ago

But, but, but....g_rock......the Teletubbies are gay and watching them converts kids to the 'lifestyle.' Just ask Jerry Falwell, "Attorney" Kline's boss.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

Well put, G. You should have a talk with Spike R. Lee. I remember him getting really mad at Sam Jackson for his repeated use of the "n" word in "Jackie Brown", although it was very appropriate in the context of the character he played. Pam Grier was 50+ and smokin' hot!!

g_rock 2 years, 6 months ago

First off, we read Tom Sawyer in the 4th grade. 8th graders need something more complex. Additionally, making such a deal about the race/slavery thing actually makes it more of a topic. Dealing with what it is in the book makes kids understand it and not be sheltered to what America is. It puts the things you learn in history class into context to read Tom Sawyer. If you are offended by Tom Sawyer, you should probably just stick with the Teletubbies.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

I'm kinda surprised #'s 2-4 didn't say "What's a Tom Sawyer?" I'm sure it isn't available on Kindle.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

Why read it? The movie was on TCM last night. Ah yes. Johnny Whitaker and Warren Oates, who always had a bottle of woosky hidden somewhere. My mentor. And some guy named Injun Joe. Not very PC. They should have bleeped that.

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

It sure as hell was a great book to play drums to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wab-w...

Rara_Avis 2 years, 6 months ago

I was not allowed to read books containing the "n" word, the "r" word, or anything about transgenderism.

Exit the warrior Today's Tom Sawyer He gets high on you And the energy you trade He gets right on to the friction of love

g_rock 2 years, 6 months ago

T-Saw. A fan of the river. Adventurer. I think he would get along well with us all here. Even though he was always hopeful, yet discontent. Though his mind is not for rent.

The_Original_Bob 2 years, 6 months ago

Nope. But I'll be catching the Tom Sawyer ballet this weekend at the new Kaufman place this weekend in KC. Tuxedos and whatnot.

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 2 years, 6 months ago

I remember Tom Sawyer being a modern day warrior with a mean, mean stride and a mean, mean pride. I think it is a very important story because what you say about his company, is what you say about society, if you catch the drift.

But I don't remember it being assigned reading.

RoeDapple 2 years, 6 months ago

I know if I called my friends names like he did I woulda got whacked upside the head with a board and sent home. My parents woulda been so proud . . . or not.

RoeDapple 2 years, 6 months ago

Wasn't that the book about the kid that was a cross dresser (not that there's anything wrong with that) who got caught because he pulled his knees together to catch something tossed into his lap? Kid couldn't paint either, had the whole neighborhood trying to show him how it's done.

RoeDapple 2 years, 6 months ago

Not sure if it was even in print yet when I was in school. The Earth was still flat, even. I don't know why I'm sharing this. My family would be so proud.

autie 2 years, 6 months ago

Tom Sawyer was a broad? I knew Mark Twain was ahead of his time and all but I'm surprised they openly discussed a transgendered person.

Yes...I read the books. I don't remember about the requirement. It was so long ago and me and Pap had just finished a card game and a botle of whiskey....I remember, we built a raft that one weekend..

Ron Holzwarth 2 years, 6 months ago

No, 'Tom Sawyer' was never assigned to me in school. But I read all four of the series many times: 'Tom Sawyer', 'Huckleberry Finn', 'Tom Sawyer, Detective', and 'Tom Sawyer Abroad'.

The last two were quite short, not up to the quality of the first two, and were never well known. 'Tom Sawyer, Detective' is longer and better than 'Tom Sawyer Abroad', which is a very brief short story with ridiculous incongruities. Mark Twain must have written that one on a weekend when he was rather bored.

Odeo 2 years, 6 months ago

It was Required reading in my Freshman-Senior year in English, Political Science, Philosophy, Statistics, Quantum Methods, Basket Weaving, "Rocks for Jocks," Economics, Finance, etc...every class when I was attending Howard University. I know it verbatim. Is a good book.

The point of this question ???