In reading book reviews of the time period, I found three that had at least a slightly negative comment about some aspect of the novel.
Hartford Daily Times (December 20, 1876)
(a general paraphrase) If there is any defect, it is the love scenes where a boy of Tom Sawyer's size wanders off to be an outlaw. This is a bit "overdrawn."
New York Times (January 13, 1877)
In general, at the very end of the review, the writer states he would have liked Tom Sawyer better without so much Injun Joe, murder, revenge, and the slitting of women's ears--so much violence and brutality.
Hartford Christian Secretary (May 17, 1877)
"The last few chapters are extremely sensational and ... too remarkable to be natural adventures for little boys." The reviewer further stated that he regrets that Tom lies and smokes--but the intention of the book was not to describe a model boy.
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