James by Percival Everett is a re-imagining of a classic American story, told from a new perspective. It follows an enslaved man's journey through the American South as he seeks freedom, encountering danger, unexpected alliances, and personal transformation along the way. The novel explores themes of identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. Many people recommended this book to people who have read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn!

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is a classic novel set along the Mississippi River in the fictional town of St. Petersburg. The story follows the young and mischievous Tom Sawyer who pulls pranks and goes on adventures. Tom’s experiences have both the lighthearted mischief of youth and deeper moral lessons one learns throughout childhood. This novel has witty, vivid storytelling that gives us a look at 1840s American life through the eyes of a boy who is navigating growing up in an ever-developing world.