Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Violence:  Tom Canty is beaten by his father or grandmother if he doesn’t beg or steal daily for money.  Tom is injured by the king’s guard. The real prince is beaten, treated harshly, and even murder is attempted, while everyone thinks he is Tom.   Hendon is put into the stocks and whipped for supposedly impersonating Hugh’s “dead” brother.  Two Baptist women are burned at the stake.

Sexual Content:  An “orgy” is mentioned twice about a drunken mass of people.

Adult Content:  Tom’s father is an accused murderer.  Many of the rough English commoners (Tom’s peers) drink and smoke.

Synopsis

This classic English-language novel (written by an American author) tells of two young men who, although from vastly different worlds, look surprisingly similar.  Tom Canty is the mistreated son of a drunken peasant who begs or steals for his families’ survival.  Edward, son of King Henry VIII, is the Prince of Wales who is to become the new King of England.  Both boys long for the freedoms and comforts of each others’ lives, so after a chance meeting, they agree to exchange clothing and impersonate each other.  Both boys assume it will only be a short-lived and innocent adventure, yet find themselves doubted by all parties when they try to proclaim their true identities.  Both boys have many adventures living each others’ lives.  All is righted on Coronation Day.  It was said forever after that Edward was a kind and good king who righted many barbaric laws, after having experienced the life of an English commoner.

I loved this timeless tale by Mark Twain.  Many school-aged children read different, and probably easier, versions of this story.  I read the original, which is rather difficult reading and appropriate for older teens and beyond.