The Story of a Bad Boy

by Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Book Overview

In 1869 Thomas Bailey Aldrich introduced to American literature the original "bad boy"--that all-American boy who plays harmless pranks, devises exciting adventures, has an occasional bout of love-sickness, is bored on Sundays, and is well-liked by almost everyone. Later followed by Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Story of a Bad Boy--once called the first truly American novel--is Aldrich's partially autobiographical tale of growing up in America. Set in Rivermouth (based on Aldrich's childhood home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire), it follows the exploits of young Tom Bailey through snowball wars, schoolyard fights, Fourth of July parades, adventures at sea, and childhood sweathearts. Now printed in more than fifty editions and read and beloved by Americans for over a century, Aldrich's classic is ready to be rediscovered by a new generation of readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087451794X
• ISBN13: 9780874517941
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: University Press of New England
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.5"
• Grade Range: Grade 7 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

very pleased

A real boyhood classic, perhaps the first realistic novel of American boyhood. Was a bit disappointed that none of the original illustrations, by A.B. Frost, were included.

A New England boyhood

This neat little novel is written in the tradition of Tom Sawyer, though it appeared 5 years earlier than Twain's classic. It's about all the mischief, chivalry, loyalty, and pluck of a young boy's life. Aldrich is in love with his material and revels in all the antics his characters get involved in. The snowball fight is a gem. The boyhood dialogue is excellent and rings true.

a must-read for Tom Sawyer fans!

The Story of a Bad Boy is one of my favorite books. It's interesting, humorous, and touching, and gives you an inside look at the life of a boy in Massachusetts in the early 1800s. I love the author's style of writing. It seems to make the story all the more humorous, and brings you back to those olden days. I also love this book because it's a true story, and this kid led a life full of adventures and mishaps. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Tom Sawyer because these two books are similar, and the two boys have the same type of mischievous personalities. Yet in spite of similarities, Bad Boy is unique because it's true.

Adventures and tribulations of a mischieveuos boy.

We live in a world of fantacy and of real life.This book gives you a glimpse into the life of a real American boy.