Two childhood friends go on an adventure in the woods and become witnesses to a murder. Tom is a naughty and precocious boy who often gets into trouble. Tom goes to school with Becky, the daughter of the town judge, and a girl he really likes. Becky makes fun of Tom in an endearing way, meaning she likes him too. When Tom goes rafting with his friends, he falls in the water but is eventually rescued by Huck. Tom thanks Huck and Huck shows him his makeshift home in the woods. He lives on his own and has been pretty self-sufficient and resourceful most of his life.
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One day, the two boys go to the graveyard and see Injun Joe, a half-Native American man murdering the town doctor. Injun Joe takes a treasure map from one of the graves. The boys swear not to tell anyone about what they saw. Soon, the murder is pinned on the town drunkard, and Tom starts feeling guilty.
Meanwhile, the boys go about their usual rambunctious ways, often camping out in the woods for days on end. The townsfolk assume that Tom is dead, and they hold a memorial. Tom and Huck hide in the rafters, and Tom suddenly drops in surprising everyone, pissing off Becky.
Tom and Huck also pursue Injun Joe, in the hopes of getting the treasure map. Injun Joe finds treasure, and also discovers that Tom saw him at the graveyard. He goes after Tom, threatening him that if he talked, it would be the end of him.
The accused murderer is held on trial, with Injun Joe and Tom in attendance. Tom is called as a witness and bravely singles out Joe as the real killer. Joe then runs out and escapes.
In the woods, Tom and Becky go into a cave and get lost. Only to run into Injun Joe who has hidden the treasure there. Injun Joe is bent on killing Tom. Huck after having a falling-out with Tom over breaking their oath appears to save him and the two friends reconcile. Injun Joe plunges to his death in a hole. The treasure is secured, and the townsfolk rejoice.
Best part of story, including ending:
It's an American literary classic about two boys' friendship and the misadventures they get into.
Best scene in story:
When Huck pushes Tom from the ceiling and Tom crashes into his memorial scaring everybody.
Opinion about the main character:
Tom is a handful, but he has a good heart and knows how to follow it.
