I taught Huck every year for decades. Opened with Doobie Brothers “old black water keep on rolling…Mississippi moon won’t ya keep on shining on me …” i explained it was Clarence Page’s favorite book bc it was the first book that showed a black man as hero/ father figure. Never any complaints bc American literature began its journey with him. If I were teaching now, I’d teach “James” by Percival Everett as a companion.

Now Janice, if you are wondering how I did teach American literature, then I will send you my novel “Meetings at the Metaphor Cafe “ nominated for the California Young Reader medal for FREE.

Of course, i know “you are a professional critic and very busy with your work” ( I am quoting Judge Taylor to Atticus on the porch when the judge asks him to take Tom Robinson’s case and he gives Atticus an out) …
Atticus cuts him off and says, “I’ll take the case.”
So I’m hoping you will take my case.
Robert Pacilio
San Diego County’s Teacher of the Year
Disney’s top 100 teacher
… I stop there.
Wink.