The Story of a Bad Boy

By Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Book Overview

"The Story of a Bad Boy" is a seminal work of American juvenile literature that offers a vibrant and realistic portrayal of 19th-century childhood. Moving away from the moralizing tales typical of its era, Thomas Bailey Aldrich presents the semi-autobiographical adventures of Tom Bailey, a well-intentioned but often mischievous lad growing up in the fictional New England seaport of Rivermouth.

The narrative follows Tom as he navigates the trials and triumphs of youth, from secret societies and snowball battles to the innocent pangs of first love and the occasional brush with danger. Aldrich's prose is characterized by its warmth, humor, and keen observation of small-town life, capturing the essence of an age when the world seemed both vast and intimately connected.

As a precursor to the modern coming-of-age novel, "The Story of a Bad Boy" is celebrated for its authentic depiction of a boy who is neither purely villainous nor unrealistically pious, but rather a relatable figure defined by his curiosity and spirit. This enduring classic remains an essential piece of American literary history, providing a nostalgic yet honest window into the escapades and emotional growth of a young man in the mid-1800s.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025419200
• ISBN13: 9781025419206
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.6" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

very pleased

A real boyhood classic, perhaps the first realistic novel of American boyhood. Was a bit disappointed that none of the original illustrations, by A.B. Frost, were included.

A New England boyhood

This neat little novel is written in the tradition of Tom Sawyer, though it appeared 5 years earlier than Twain's classic. It's about all the mischief, chivalry, loyalty, and pluck of a young boy's life. Aldrich is in love with his material and revels in all the antics his characters get involved in. The snowball fight is a gem. The boyhood dialogue is excellent and rings true.

a must-read for Tom Sawyer fans!

The Story of a Bad Boy is one of my favorite books. It's interesting, humorous, and touching, and gives you an inside look at the life of a boy in Massachusetts in the early 1800s. I love the author's style of writing. It seems to make the story all the more humorous, and brings you back to those olden days. I also love this book because it's a true story, and this kid led a life full of adventures and mishaps. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Tom Sawyer because these two books are similar, and the two boys have the same type of mischievous personalities. Yet in spite of similarities, Bad Boy is unique because it's true.

Adventures and tribulations of a mischieveuos boy.

We live in a world of fantacy and of real life.This book gives you a glimpse into the life of a real American boy.