The Prince And The Pauper »

Riverboat pilot, journalist, failed businessman (several times over): Samuel Clemens -- the man behind the figure of Mark Twain -- led many lives. But it was in his novels and short stories that he created a voice and an outlook on life that will be forever identified with the American character.

Two young look-alikes in 16th-century England decide to trade clothes and roles, a situation that drastically alters the lives of both. This timeless tale of transposed identities remains one of Twain's best-loved novels.

Children's Literature

Not bad, this adaptation which is one in a series now numbering over two dozen titles. While there's no literary merit to this retelling, the story is clearly told, numerous characters are kept in place, and nothing distracts the reader from what happens next. However, the tradeoff is that nothing much of Twain's inimitable style or the flavor of sixteenth century England remains although the theme of knowing the people well whom you are asked to rule comes through strongly. "Step into Classics" series.