Voting at the library Primary Election Early Voting and Election Day voting will take place at select OCLS locations. Early Voting will be held from Monday, August 3 to Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 9 a.m.–7 p.m., and Election Day voting will take place Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. During this time, you may notice increased activity at participating locations and parking may be limited. Learn more about voting at the library.
"The classic boyhood adventure tale, updated with a new introduction by noted Mark Twain scholar R. Kent Rasmussen. A consummate prankster with a quick wit, Tom Sawyer dreams of a bigger fate than simply being a "rich boy." Yet through the novel's humorous escapades-from the famous episode of the whitewashed fence to the trial of Injun Joe-Mark Twain explores the deeper themes of the adult world, one of dishonesty and superstition, murder and revenge,...
Tom Sawyer doesn't like school much. Escaping from the schoolhouse, he's off to the woods to catch a wild pig with his friend Huck. Their attempts to sell the pig at the harbor end with a wild disturbance on the steamboat.
Tom, Huck, and Ben enjoy their adventure on the island while everyone in the village worries about their disappearance. A rainstorm washes away their raft, and it is found by a villager broken to pieces.
The village children are bored; nothing exciting ever happens there. Then a theatrical troupe arrives and announces a play for the children. Among them is a young actress Lissette, and Huck falls in love.
On their way to a haunted house in the middle of the night, Tom and Huck witness a murder. Indian Joe kills Dr. Robinson, then lays the blame on Muff Potter. Tom and Huck exchange a promise to keep their secret because they fear Indian Joe.
Tom is dismayed when Aunt Polly tells him he must spend his Saturday whitewashing the fence. Too long to paint in one day, Tom convinces his friends of the joys of the job, and soon has all the help he needs.
The villagers believe the boys have drowned in the river. Though they play all day on the island, Ben misses his home. Tom returns secretly for news of the village and sees Aunt Polly praying for his safety.
Tom promises to take Huck to the play. To earn the money he works for his aunt, moving furniture to a friend's ranch quite a distance away. When a wheel comes off the cart, Tom is almost defeated but manages to run home just in time for the play.
Muff is arrested for the murder, just as Indian Joe planned. Tom and Huck sympathize with Muff and send in food and cigarettes, but keep their silence. Tom is plagued by nightmares.
Tom goes to the harbor to meet his cousin Mary, and sees Becky Thacher for the first time. Her family moves into St. Petersburg, and Tom falls in love.
Ben and Huck miss the village, so Tom proposes that they return on the very day of their funeral. No other village children, Tom decides, have ever become the center of so much attention.
Lizette is treated severely in the tragedy. Huck, unaware that it's a drama, jumps onto the stage to save her. Tom stirs up the other children to help Huck and Lizette, and the play becomes a fiasco. Lizette rather likes Huck and promises to visit.
Tom and Huck suffer from their guilty consciences and decide to tell the truth. Indian Joe comes to the trial with confidence, but Tom's testimony foils his plan. Joe takes flight and Muff is declared not guilty. Tom is again the children's hero.
After the funeral, Tom is a hero at school, and everyone wants to hear his story. Charlie inks Tom's schoolbook out of jealousy, and Tom is punished. Becky saw what happened and feels guilty that she did not tell the truth.
Huck prepares a delicious meal for Lizette's next visit. Suddenly two of the troupers desert, and the group must leave, unable to continue the show. Lizette tells Tom she will be back someday to see Huck.
The sheriff calls in a detective from St. Louis to find Indian Joe, but to everyone's disappointment, he is unsuccessful. He is sure, however, that Joe will seek revenge. The detective follows Tom continually, hoping eventually to arrest Indian Joe.
Tom arrives at school late and finds that Becky is in his class. He finally manages to become friends with her, and promises to visit – forgetting another promise he has made to Huck.
Tom discovers a dead body up the river, it appears to be Huck's father! After the funeral, Huck's father appears alive and comes to take his son. Huck doesn't want to go and hides.
