The Prince and the Pauper

"The Prince and the Pauper" is the first and most famous historical work by Mark Twain, maintaining its popularity since its first publication at the end of the 19th century. In London, in the year 1547, two boys meet by chance - a little pauper urchin, Tom Canty, and the heir to the English throne, Prince Edward VI. They look so much alike, as two peas in a pod, and this astonishing resemblance leads them to a risky venture: Tom puts on the prince's clothes, and the prince puts on the clothes of a pauper. Events unfold rapidly, and soon the boys take each other's place. The newly made "prince" from the slums is now forced to adapt to court life, dealing with unfamiliar responsibilities and complex duties. Meanwhile, the real prince, unexpectedly finding himself at the very bottom, must endure hardships and deprivation, hunger and beatings, experiencing the complete powerlessness of the poor. How will the heroes emerge from these incredible trials, and what will they be able to learn? For middle school-aged children.