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Who Was . . . ? Series
By April Jones Prince Who Was Mark Twain? [Library Binding]
A humorist, narrator, and social observer, Mark Twain is unsurpassed in American literature. Best known as author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, not unlike his protagonist Huck, had a restless spirit. He found adventure prospecting for silver in Nevada, navigating steamboats down the Mississippi, and making people laugh around the world. But Twain also had a serious streak and decried racism and injustice. His fascinating life is captured candidly in this enjoyable biography.
Unknown Binding
First published May 1, 2004
About the author
April Jones Prince
19 books29 followersApril Jones Prince is a children's book author specializing in history and books for the very young.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 2, 2025
Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings fascinating character of Mark Twain who was a mischievous, adventurous boy named Samuel Clemens who became one of America’s best-loved authors.
Before he named himself Mark Twain, he was Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910). Sam grew up in the south where slavery was seen acceptable. While at his uncle’s farm, he listened to a black man telling folktales and ghost stories. It was also the words he used and the rhythm of his speech that stayed with Sam and inspired him later in telling his own stories.
When Sam was eleven, his father died and the family fell on hard times. He had to grow up fast and skip schooling. He became a printer’s apprentice at a newspaper. In his free time, he read books. Later, he worked for his older brother at a journal. He began to write humorous stories, poetry and local news. He liked exaggerating, which his brother didn’t like even when it sold more copies.
Sam was also a restless spirit. He packed his bags and travelled through northern states. He worked various printing jobs. Writing came natural to him, but those positions were boring to him. Thus, he decided to try his childhood dream of being a pilot on a riverboat. He made good money and enjoyed fine food and expensive clothes. Something, he always dreamed about. But he never forgot his true passion of storytelling, which he did to passengers and crew.
When the Civil War broke out, he took different jobs. One of them as editor. He wasn’t sure how well he’d do in this position, but he was good at searching for exciting stories. If there weren’t any, he used his imagination. He realized that he had a knack for making stories interesting and that’s when he found his calling and developed his own writing style and created his pen name – Mark Twain.
His pen-name was becoming famous for his wit, wisecracks, exposing injustice and fraud. During his time, lectures were popular form of entertainment. At first, he was terrified to speak on stage, but his nerves quickly melted and he became natural at it.
But he was restless staying in one place for a long time. He set sail for Europe, where he judged sites if they were worth visiting. He wasn’t someone who accepted other’s opinions too easily. His letters to publishers about European sites became so famous that they were turned into a book, which became an instant success.
Then, he went on creating stories drawing from experiences from his childhood: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. But the latter one was controversial and he had to start his own company in order to publish it.
This biography embodies a character that was never bothered by the lack of schooling. He had a natural gift which he developed on his own and became very successful.
This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, insightful inserts, and fun black and white illustrations.
Before he named himself Mark Twain, he was Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910). Sam grew up in the south where slavery was seen acceptable. While at his uncle’s farm, he listened to a black man telling folktales and ghost stories. It was also the words he used and the rhythm of his speech that stayed with Sam and inspired him later in telling his own stories.
When Sam was eleven, his father died and the family fell on hard times. He had to grow up fast and skip schooling. He became a printer’s apprentice at a newspaper. In his free time, he read books. Later, he worked for his older brother at a journal. He began to write humorous stories, poetry and local news. He liked exaggerating, which his brother didn’t like even when it sold more copies.
Sam was also a restless spirit. He packed his bags and travelled through northern states. He worked various printing jobs. Writing came natural to him, but those positions were boring to him. Thus, he decided to try his childhood dream of being a pilot on a riverboat. He made good money and enjoyed fine food and expensive clothes. Something, he always dreamed about. But he never forgot his true passion of storytelling, which he did to passengers and crew.
When the Civil War broke out, he took different jobs. One of them as editor. He wasn’t sure how well he’d do in this position, but he was good at searching for exciting stories. If there weren’t any, he used his imagination. He realized that he had a knack for making stories interesting and that’s when he found his calling and developed his own writing style and created his pen name – Mark Twain.
His pen-name was becoming famous for his wit, wisecracks, exposing injustice and fraud. During his time, lectures were popular form of entertainment. At first, he was terrified to speak on stage, but his nerves quickly melted and he became natural at it.
But he was restless staying in one place for a long time. He set sail for Europe, where he judged sites if they were worth visiting. He wasn’t someone who accepted other’s opinions too easily. His letters to publishers about European sites became so famous that they were turned into a book, which became an instant success.
Then, he went on creating stories drawing from experiences from his childhood: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. But the latter one was controversial and he had to start his own company in order to publish it.
This biography embodies a character that was never bothered by the lack of schooling. He had a natural gift which he developed on his own and became very successful.
This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, insightful inserts, and fun black and white illustrations.
July 11, 2025
Not meant for my demographic but I love these little nonfiction kids books. Just a bit of info about something I know nothing about.
April 1, 2017
Pretty good book!
Learned a few things in this book. Not presented as interestingly as it could be. Liked it and worth the read.
Learned a few things in this book. Not presented as interestingly as it could be. Liked it and worth the read.
May 7, 2024
what a story
November 29, 2017
A light, lovely, informative, easily read book about Mark Twain's life.
He had an interesting and adventurous life which is pleasant to read about, and this book would be one of the best sources to get to know him and spend a lovely evening with this humorous, honest and creative man.
He had an interesting and adventurous life which is pleasant to read about, and this book would be one of the best sources to get to know him and spend a lovely evening with this humorous, honest and creative man.
September 4, 2018
Mark Twain had an incredible life, but man was the end sad 😢. I thoroughly enjoyed this as did my daughters, and we all learned from it. I can honestly say that after reading this my admiration for Twain has definitely just increased. The book was concise, fun and enjoyable.
May 15, 2018
I liked learning more about Mark Twain in this biography written for younger readers.
October 13, 2025
Bought at the Mark Twain Museum in Hartford, Connecticut. Learning more about Sam was an immense pleasure. Visiting his house was one of the highlights of my trip. It’s a very quick read, but definitely worth it.
April 13, 2023
It was very good and I learned some things about him and his life. It gave off lots of river vibes (obviously).
August 28, 2018
“Who Was Mark Twain?” (Who Was/Is...? series) by April Jones Prince, Nancy Harrison (Illustrator), John O'Brien (Illustrator)
Wonderful book giving a genuine and thorough biography of this clever man.
“Sam was fascinated by people’s accents and habits, and by the river towns’ varied flavors and rhythms. He later said his time on the river was his schooling in human nature.” (p27-28)
“Many writers of the day, especially humorists, used pseudonyms, or pen names.” (p42)
“Throughout his life, Mark Twain believed that ‘the secret source of humor itself is not joy, but sorrow.’ And, indeed, his life was marked by much sorrow and tragedy.
“’The Gilded Age’ attacked the greed and corruption of business and government. It also criticized Americans’ new worship of money, with no concern for how that money was made.” (p64)
Wonderful book giving a genuine and thorough biography of this clever man.
“Sam was fascinated by people’s accents and habits, and by the river towns’ varied flavors and rhythms. He later said his time on the river was his schooling in human nature.” (p27-28)
“Many writers of the day, especially humorists, used pseudonyms, or pen names.” (p42)
“Throughout his life, Mark Twain believed that ‘the secret source of humor itself is not joy, but sorrow.’ And, indeed, his life was marked by much sorrow and tragedy.
“’The Gilded Age’ attacked the greed and corruption of business and government. It also criticized Americans’ new worship of money, with no concern for how that money was made.” (p64)
December 4, 2017
The Who Was…? biography series are perfect for elementary or intermediate age students interested learning about the featured person for an assignment or just for an exciting read. The afterward portion in this edition has a timeline on one side showing key events in Samuel Langhorne Clemen's life and the opposite page shows worldwide key events during the same time period. Making for an interesting comparison and will help readers get a better feel for what else was happening at those times; a cool extra feature I haven't seen in many books.
January 1, 2018
good info
April 2, 2018
Excellent book! I loved learning about Mark Twain. This author was one of the better authors in this series!
May 9, 2018
Good short bio.
June 3, 2026
Mark Twain was a great American writer. I absolutely love his novels, especially the satirical ones. Mark Twain wrote in the dialect of the American people, and is definitely more readable than most writers of his day. Mark Twain is one of my writing role models.
Mark Twain was a kid romping around Missouri. His exploits as a young’un definitely inspired Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. This biography doesn’t shy away from the more problematic things he did as a youth, like fight on behalf of the Confederacy. Mainly because that was just what young men in Missouri did during the war.
Mark Twain was an adventurer. I loved reading about all his odd jobs in this biography. I especially liked reading about how he became a steamboat man, because that is where he got his pen name, Mark Twain. I keep imagining a steamboat guy in this squawky voice saying “Mark Twain!” and I think that’s funny.
Mark Twain was really funny. When I read this biography, I figured I would like the sense of humor in his stories, and I was proven right. I especially like Twain’s satirical wit when it is directed towards the terrible institutions of the Old South. Not just slavery, but also things like the one-drop rule and an obsession with the medieval. However, Mark Twain wasn’t just funny.
Mark Twain was pretty depressed towards the end of his life. Which makes sense because his wife died. It leaked into his stories and they became really dark. This kids biography doesn’t go into details, but it didn’t really need to.
Mark Twain was an icon of American literature. Honestly, he still is. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of my favorite books of all time and made me want to write a picaresque. He appeared on Star Trek and that shows how recognizable a figure he is. What made Mark Twain unique shines through in even a sanitizing kid’s biography.
Mark Twain was a kid romping around Missouri. His exploits as a young’un definitely inspired Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. This biography doesn’t shy away from the more problematic things he did as a youth, like fight on behalf of the Confederacy. Mainly because that was just what young men in Missouri did during the war.
Mark Twain was an adventurer. I loved reading about all his odd jobs in this biography. I especially liked reading about how he became a steamboat man, because that is where he got his pen name, Mark Twain. I keep imagining a steamboat guy in this squawky voice saying “Mark Twain!” and I think that’s funny.
Mark Twain was really funny. When I read this biography, I figured I would like the sense of humor in his stories, and I was proven right. I especially like Twain’s satirical wit when it is directed towards the terrible institutions of the Old South. Not just slavery, but also things like the one-drop rule and an obsession with the medieval. However, Mark Twain wasn’t just funny.
Mark Twain was pretty depressed towards the end of his life. Which makes sense because his wife died. It leaked into his stories and they became really dark. This kids biography doesn’t go into details, but it didn’t really need to.
Mark Twain was an icon of American literature. Honestly, he still is. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of my favorite books of all time and made me want to write a picaresque. He appeared on Star Trek and that shows how recognizable a figure he is. What made Mark Twain unique shines through in even a sanitizing kid’s biography.
December 9, 2020
We recently spent 2 nights in Hannibal, Missouri on our travels from Colorado to Indiana to Ontario. This is the historical town of Mark Twain on the Great Mississippi River. I picked up this little Who Was Book on Twain. This series of books gives a condensed and informative version of a notable person's life.
I learned some interesting facts about Twain's life, first being born in 1835 as Samuel Clemens and how and why he changed his name to Mark Twain. H e was an ambitious and industrious person always looking for work, coming from a poor family. He became a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi. When piloting a steamboat, the waters need to be checked for depth constantly by putting a weighted line into the water. The line was marked every six feet and steamboats needed at least 12 ft. of water to be able to float in. So when the person doing the measuring would call out mark twain, for the 2nd mark on the line, indicating they have 12 feet clearance they knew it was safe. Later when Sam began writing, he took the pen name of Mark Twain.
He became one of America's best-loved authors, giving us The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventure's of Huckleberry Finn.
I learned some interesting facts about Twain's life, first being born in 1835 as Samuel Clemens and how and why he changed his name to Mark Twain. H e was an ambitious and industrious person always looking for work, coming from a poor family. He became a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi. When piloting a steamboat, the waters need to be checked for depth constantly by putting a weighted line into the water. The line was marked every six feet and steamboats needed at least 12 ft. of water to be able to float in. So when the person doing the measuring would call out mark twain, for the 2nd mark on the line, indicating they have 12 feet clearance they knew it was safe. Later when Sam began writing, he took the pen name of Mark Twain.
He became one of America's best-loved authors, giving us The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventure's of Huckleberry Finn.
December 2, 2018
One of the school performances was Tom Sawyer. I didn't pay must attention in the story as I belonged to the AV team. Later I read the book with my student. His author is Mark Twain. His real name is Samuel Clemens. In reading his life, his life was just like an adventure that Tom Sawyer took. I thought of my childhood and thought of the childhood of my students. Sam wrote from his "boys' paradise", a Missourian river-side town, Hannibal. Before he was a writer, he was a captain of vessels. He was a publisher. He was almost broke of unsound of investment and repaid his debt. He must be very charismatic speaker that he paid up his debt by touring around Europe giving lectures. What a life for a boy lack of schooling to become a write and a lecturer who inspired many!
What kind of childhood do we give our children?
What kind of childhood do we give our children?
January 9, 2024
This is definitely written for children, but it was one of two of these books I’d picked up on a steamboat on the Mississippi, and this one in particular seemed only fitting.
Mark Twain/ Samuel Langhorne Clemens led a fascinating life. And as much as I thought I knew, there were anecdotes that I’d never heard before.
This book is such a great introduction to who he was for young readers, and I hope it encourages them to read more of his works.
It definitely has me wanting to dust off my old copy of Tom Sawyer/Huckleberry Finn (mine is 2 in 1.)
I thought it to be poignant how the narrative painted him as coming into this world with Halley’s Comet and leaving this world with it, and it made me tear up a little.
A great read!
Mark Twain/ Samuel Langhorne Clemens led a fascinating life. And as much as I thought I knew, there were anecdotes that I’d never heard before.
This book is such a great introduction to who he was for young readers, and I hope it encourages them to read more of his works.
It definitely has me wanting to dust off my old copy of Tom Sawyer/Huckleberry Finn (mine is 2 in 1.)
I thought it to be poignant how the narrative painted him as coming into this world with Halley’s Comet and leaving this world with it, and it made me tear up a little.
A great read!
March 15, 2019
My daughter liked how each chapter started with a Mark Twain quote.
I thought it was pretty good until the author threw in a blurb about Henry James complete with a half-page quotation from Washington Square - which literally had nothing to do with Twain other than to serve as a contrast to Twain's writing style, but surely there was a better way to do that...like maybe talk about how linguistically formal most "great American novels" were during that time? The target audience for James' story would not likely be the same as Twain's, either. The inclusion just seemed to stick out in otherwise relevant writing.
I thought it was pretty good until the author threw in a blurb about Henry James complete with a half-page quotation from Washington Square - which literally had nothing to do with Twain other than to serve as a contrast to Twain's writing style, but surely there was a better way to do that...like maybe talk about how linguistically formal most "great American novels" were during that time? The target audience for James' story would not likely be the same as Twain's, either. The inclusion just seemed to stick out in otherwise relevant writing.
May 5, 2019
A humorist, narrator, and social observer, Mark Twain is unsurpassed in American literature. Best known as the author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, not unlike his protagonist, Huck, has a restless spirit.
He found adventure prospecting for silver in Nevada, navigating steamboats down the Mississippi, and making people laugh around the world. But Twain also had a serious streak and decried racism and injustice. His fascinating life is captured candidly in this enjoyable biography. it is determined that he was very forthcoming in his means of his humor and the way he was observed and the way he was liked in the way he liked himself. He was well liked and during that time in his life he was well liked by the people he associated with.
He found adventure prospecting for silver in Nevada, navigating steamboats down the Mississippi, and making people laugh around the world. But Twain also had a serious streak and decried racism and injustice. His fascinating life is captured candidly in this enjoyable biography. it is determined that he was very forthcoming in his means of his humor and the way he was observed and the way he was liked in the way he liked himself. He was well liked and during that time in his life he was well liked by the people he associated with.
who-hq
May 4, 2020Grew up near Mississippi River. Worked as a riverboat pilot. The pen name “Mark Twain” came from a steamboat phrase signalling that water was deep enough for boat to pass. Most famous works are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which tells story of a boy and a runaway slave. Started a publishing company which also published Ulysses Grant’s memoirs. Went broke after he invested in many failed inventions. Born and died with Halley’s Comet.
August 9, 2020
Good read on the interesting life and good character of Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain.
What I liked about him: He paid off his debts! His sense of humor! I enjoyed the quotes and learning where he picked up his pen name. I also enjoyed the Halley's Comet aspect, it reminded me of Ivan Doig and the Whistling Season, makes me want to reread it.
O'Brien isn't my favorite illustrator in this series, the pictures left much to be desired. But the biography was as good as I've come to expect from the series.
What I liked about him: He paid off his debts! His sense of humor! I enjoyed the quotes and learning where he picked up his pen name. I also enjoyed the Halley's Comet aspect, it reminded me of Ivan Doig and the Whistling Season, makes me want to reread it.
O'Brien isn't my favorite illustrator in this series, the pictures left much to be desired. But the biography was as good as I've come to expect from the series.
February 9, 2021
I have visited the town of Hannibal, Missouri many times and when I was little I thought it was a huge town. I can see how Mark Twain was able to gather material from his experiences in that town to write several of his stories. Now I have some other places to visit having read about the various places Mark lived and traveled. This man was busy all of his life but he enjoyed the majority of it.
July 29, 2022
Excellent summary of Mark Twain’s life for children. Honest. Short chapters. Lots of illustrations. A good time line in the back of both Mark Twain’s life and current events. Bibliography included. Also I learned something from a children’s book that I didn’t know. 1835-1910. These are the years he was born and died. This also corresponds with the years Haley’s comet appeared. Coincidence?
January 19, 2025
I picked this up at the elementary school since I was reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I incorrectly assumed that I knew a lot about Mark Twain. This book was educational! Here are a few highlights without giving anything away:
1. The meaning behind the penname Mark Twain
2. How he met his wife and learning about the lives of his wife and children
3. His integrity
1. The meaning behind the penname Mark Twain
2. How he met his wife and learning about the lives of his wife and children
3. His integrity
February 27, 2026
This is a part of the Who Was....? series for young readers.
While telling the story of Mark Twain, the author included inserts explaining different topics, such as steamboats at that point in history.
The illustrations are well done, including the people, local scenery and maps. Much for young readers to learn.
While telling the story of Mark Twain, the author included inserts explaining different topics, such as steamboats at that point in history.
The illustrations are well done, including the people, local scenery and maps. Much for young readers to learn.
February 25, 2019
The autobiography of Mark Twain was probably the most exiting Who Was book that I have read so far. The plot and childhood of Mark Twain was actually pretty impressive. This book is easy to read because of the length and I would recommend this to you.
July 24, 2021
An interesting and easy to follow along with mini biography of Mark Twain. I really didn’t know much about him. I expected this to be a kiddy book but I actually did learn more about him. Really well organized too.
June 6, 2025
Written primarily for middle grade age students, the book provides key details on Mark Twain( Samuel Clemens) life. Hoping to take a visit to Hannibal, Missouri this fall and trying to learn as much as I can about Mark Twain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews