The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a staple in high school classrooms and a foundational piece of American literature. This children’s classic is a boisterous and satirical novel addressing a vast array of social and political issues couched in an episodic coming-of-age tale. In today’s episode, we address some of the teaching baggage that comes along with this book, consider Huck’s moral development, and wrestle with the complexities of encountering this book as a modern reader. As always, we also offer contemporary pairings including a National Book Award winner and a sweet and tender father-and-son story.

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Pairings Timestamp: 39:14

Books mentioned:

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

Also mentioned:

117. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Novel Pairings