• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7
• Reading age: 8 to 12

This book in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series introduces young readers to the famous writer, comedian, world traveler and lecturer. This poor boy born Sam Clemens grew up to write books that changed literature in America and around the world. Celebrated around the world for his humorous writings, Mark Twain often had little to laugh about in his life. He was plagued by financial difficulties, and his wife and three of his children all died before him. Despite these setbacks, he maintained the broadly appealing sense of humor that made him the first American star.

From his Mississippi boyhood, through the Civil War, his years of fame following the publication of Huckleberry Finn, and his business reversals and family tragedies, Mark Twain's story is a fascinating trip through a changing United States. Includes many photos, reproductions of contemporary art and artifacts, newspaper excerpts, a timeline of Twain's life, an index and a list of places to visit.

Liz is one nosy author, which is why she loves writing non-fiction. She’s very curious about why people do what they do, and likes sharing with kids the amazing facts and secrets that she uncovers.As a kid in Thornhill, Ontario, the idea of being a writer never crossed Liz’s mind—she figured most authors were already dead and they definitely weren’t Canadian. Besides, it was science that interested Liz.But writing was already part of Liz’s life. After dinner on school nights, Liz and her two brothers would trudge up to their rooms, close their doors and start to do their homework—or so their parents thought. A few minutes later, a piece of paper would come sliding under Liz’s door. One of her brothers had drawn a picture, usually of some weird creature.Liz really couldn’t draw (still can’t!), so the only way she could respond was to write a short story, often about a mad scientist or space alien. She would slip the story under her brother’s door and—well, not a lot of homework got done.At university, Liz studied sciences—there was hardly any writing involved at all. But after university, she was hired as an editor at OWL magazine, where she could combine writing and her love of science. But it wasn’t long before Liz had a goal: to write a book. Her first one was about lions and since then she’s written more than fifty others.Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns (2008) is one of her favourite books because royalty has always fascinated Liz. She loved going behind the scenes with monarchs from Cleopatra to Dracula to find out just what they would do to hold onto power or protect their families.Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History’s Mysteries (2013) was the winner of numerous awards, including the Crime Writers of Canada 2014 Arthur Ellis Award in the Juvenile/YA category. Liz’s latest book with Annick Press, Galloping Through History: Incredible True Horse Stories (Spring 2015), combines, once again, her outstanding storytelling skills with her passion for history. This time her love of animals also shines through as she recounts the stories of six horses that changed the way humans live, travel, fight, work, and play.Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their cat Cosimo. While she writes, he is usually sprawled across her desk—often right on the book she needs for research!

Elizabeth MacLeod's profile page

• Winner, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre

Mark Twain: An American Star (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History)