On Thanksgiving - The (American) Classics Never Die - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

When many think of "the classics," they think of some dusty room filled with "old" books that aren't really classics--they're their father's (or grandfather's) classics.  "That book can't possibly appeal to me.  It's old."

My experience is that most kids are introduced to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before Huck Finn.  The classic fence whitewash scene sticks with kids.  When urged to read Huck Finn, they think it will be more of the same and resist it.

I've read Huck Finn twice.  Once in high school and again in college.  I have an old illustrated, hardback copy that is displayed prominently in a common area of our house.  The only other classic that I own in hardback that means as much to me is my very, very old copy of Winnie the Pooh.  If you didn't read that to your kids before they turned about 7, you missed a great experience.

Anyway, my 11 year old came home the other day with an assignment to read a "classic."  While I didn't read Huck Finn until later, I think he's at a great age where the book will appeal to him.  I pulled my copy off the shelf (I knew exactly where it was).  He was initially overwhelmed by its length as this particular copy has 448 pages.  But there are some illustrations, the print is large and the pages are fairly short.  He can handle it.

I actually felt a little jealous that he was reading the book.  There's an excellent chance that I'll read it again after him.

Have a great Thanksgiving.  A good turkey is better than a sharp stick in the eye.