About the Author

MARK TWAIN (1835-1910), considered one of the greatest writers in American literature, was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri. As a young child, he moved with his family to Hannibal, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River, a setting that inspired his two best-known novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain and his wife, Olivia Langdon Clemens, had four children--a son, Langdon, who died as an infant, and three daughters, Susy, Clara, and Jean.

PHILIP STEAD is the author of the Caldecott Medal-winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee. With his wife, illustrator Erin Stead, he also created Bear Has a Story to Tell, Lenny & Lucy, and The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine. Philip has also written and illustrated his own books, including Hello, My Name Is Ruby; Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat; and A Home for Bird. Philip and Erin live in Michigan. Visit Philip online at philipstead.com. ERIN STEAD is the illustrator of nine highly-acclaimed picture books: the Caldecott Medal-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee; the New York Times bestseller The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine; Tony; And Then It's Spring; Bear Has a Story to Tell; Lenny & Lucy; If You Want to See a Whale; The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles; and Music for Mr. Moon. She lives in Michigan with her husband, author/illustrator Philip Stead. Visit Erin online at erinstead.com.

Reviews

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017 A Bank Street College of Education 2018 Best Children's Book of the Year will capture the imaginations of readers of all ages--USA Today, (out of four stars) Samuel Langhorne Clemens himself would be proud.--Booklist, starred review

a cast of eccentric characters, celestially fine writing, and a crusade against pomp that doesn't sacrifice humor.--Publishers Weekly, starred review Completing a story penned by arguably America's greatest author is no easy feat, but the Caldecott-winning author-illustrator (and husband-wife) team proves more than equal to the task. . . . A pensive and whimsical work that Twain would applaud.--Kirkus, starred review The combination of Twain's (often sarcastic) humor and "lessons of life," a touch of allegory, and Stead's own storytelling skills result in an awesome piece of fantasy.--School Library Journal, starred review

Beautifully understated and nuanced illustrations by Erin Stead add the finishing flourishes to this remarkable work.--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"drawn with a graceful crosshatched intelligence that seems close to the best of Wyeth."--Adam Gopnik, The New York Times

Twain and the two Steads have created what could become a read-aloud classic, perfect for families to enjoy together.--The Horn Book

artful and meta and elegant"--The Wall Street Journal should inspire readers young and old to seek further adventures with Twain.--The Washington Post

Johnny is destined to become as much a part of Twain lore as Tom, Huck, Jim and The Mysterious Stranger.--Hartford Courant

bound to become a reading staple for all ages.--RealSimple.com Philip Stead brilliantly captures Twain's style, his homespun humor, his wordplay, his biting wit, his sympathy for the powerless and his disdain for the mighty.--The Buffalo News