The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher

Starred review from May 5, 2014
Lawson makes a delightfully clever debut with what at first seems to be a feminist spin on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: What if Becky Thatcher were the troublemaker and adventurer, and Tom a goody-goody tattletale? But the presence of a character named Sam Clemens, “the story man,” as Becky dubs him, taking constant notes, adds a deeper metafictional layer to the story. Lawson delivers an entertaining tale, but also writes movingly about grief. Becky is struggling with the death of her older brother, Jon, a year earlier, and with the simultaneous loss of her mother, now a silent mourning shadow, incapable of showing love for Becky. There is plenty of small-town adventure involving escaped thieves, graveyard escapades, and a possible witch. Trained by Jon, brave Becky is an authentic tomboy who prides herself on her spitting and ear-flicking, as well as an open-hearted and loyal friend, and her final conversation with Clemens in the closing pages makes Lawson’s real premise deliciously clear. A rewarding read on many levels. Ages 8–12. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM.

June 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-As a more politically correct retelling of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Lawson's novel turns several ideas in Mark Twain's original story on their heads. Tom the tattletale lurks in the backdrop of 1860 St. Petersburg, MO, but the focus is on the adventures that Becky plans with her friend Amy Lawrence. While Becky has found comfort in getting into the mischief that her recently deceased brother will miss, her mother neglects Becky completely by shutting herself away. Meanwhile, a man named Sam Clemens is staying with Becky's friend Sid Sawyer. All of the pieces are in place, employing the traditional characters and setting. Stylized language and unfamiliar vocabulary may prove a barrier to some readers, and a twist ending, though clever, fails to live up to its potential. Nevertheless, readers not familiar with Twain's work will find an enjoyable adventure story with glimmers of mystery. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy the charming heroine and fitting affirmations of family, friendship, and remembrance.-Erin Reilly-Sanders, Ohio State University, Columbus

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