The novel's schoolboy protagonist, Thomas Sawyer, whose reputation precedes him for causing mischief and strife, is the subject of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Tom lives in the quaint town of St. Petersburg, just off the Mississippi River, with his Aunt Polly, half-brother Sid, and cousin Mary.

St. Petersburg is characterised as having a traditional small-town environment, with a strong Christian presence, a close-knit social network, and a sense of familiarity.