Debating 'Huck Finn'

While many American schools try to keep kids from reading "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," students in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 are not only reading it, they're debating its merits.

Mark Twain's novel is required reading for all the district's sophomores. Students in Ryan Doherty's sophomore honors English classes recently paired their reading of the classic with an examination of the controversy that surrounds it.

Students were divided into two groups - one that would explore the reasons "Huck Finn" should be taught in school; the other looking for inflammatory aspects of the text that would warrant it being banned from district classrooms.

As they read, students combed the book for textual support for their arguments. They then compiled a case supported with historical information about Twain and his literary and political influence as well as literary criticisms and news articles.

The students argued their positions last week in a debate judged by English teachers and building and district administrators.