Customer Reviews

The Day They Came to Arrest the Book

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first read this book when I was perhaps 13 years old, and looking back, it was my first step to a real appreciation of America's civil libertarian tradition. It took me to Hentoff's fascinating and excellent "Free Speech For Me - But Not For Thee," and then Jonathan Rauch's "Kindly Inquisitors," both nonfiction books defending an uncompromising view of the First Amendment. (Which, of course, is the only view that makes any sense.)

The story is a fun one, and outlines the issues in a fair (if not balanced) sort of way. One of the book's biggest storytelling strengths is the variety of "censor personalities" -- there is the fire-eating parent who speaks loudly and not only wants his own son not to have to read "Huckleberry Finn," but no one else's kids either. There is the compromising, silky smooth principal whose primary objective is to appease and evade, censoring where it will please anyone. And there is the student censor, who feels strongly about her education -- strongly enough to place control of its content in someone else's hands.

Persuasive without being overly polemical or preachy, and written for young adults, this book makes a fine addition to any kid's shelf.

"The Day They Came to Arrest the Book," by Nat Hentoff, takes place in an American high school. Controversy erupts when some parents and teachers object to the teaching of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in a history course; one of the key points of contention is the use of the word "nigger" in the book. Soon the battle lines are drawn, and the stage is set for public debates that will ultimately decide the fate of Huck at the school.

Overall, this is a fast-moving and interesting book. There are a couple of dated references to Russians and Communists that reflect the book's Cold War-era setting (the copyright date is 1982), but in general the story and issues remain relevant. The book is not without flaws; there are some stiff lines, and one character comes across as a rather two-dimensional villain. Also, the issue of homophobia is briefly skirted, but not satisfactorily addressed.

Still, I enjoyed this book very much and think it has significant value. Hentoff raises many important issues: First Amendment rights, the role of the student press, racial sensitivity, sexism in language, etc. If I were teaching Huck Finn in a high school course, I would definitely consider using this short novel as a companion text. Finally, if you enjoy this book, I recommend the play "Inherit the Wind," by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee.

An English teacher assigns "Huckleberry Finn" to her class. A black parent picks up the book his son brought home and lights on a certain word. From this, a battle over censorship begins. The students divide into two factions, as do the faculty and the community. Impromptu arguments in the hallways are supplemented by debates. Hentoff relates everything in such a way as to put forward many answers, while making his own strong belief in the right to free speech clear. The opposition is, however, portrayed very fairly--Kate is a prominent and sympathetic character. The fight is not between the good and the bad, but between two groups whose motives are both good; they disagree as to how things should be done and how much power people should have over other people. A very thought-provoking book that the reader will think about at random times for years afterwards. Although in fiction form, this book is more like a modern, YA version of a dialogue of Plato's. It isn't, perhaps, what one expects--although the author's name should have been a tip-off. Kids who like to think will love this book.

Oh, how disappointed I am that my search on Hentoff revealed that "Free Speech for Me But Not for Thee" is out of print! Thank God "The Day They Came to Arrest the Book" is still readily available.

I purchased the two books together, years ago, at a bookstore in Angwin, Calif., and read them consecutively. Taken together, the books provided my first real understanding of the First Amendment and the way it is presently interpreted -- and challenged -- in our present-day society.

I was not surprised that another reviewer uses "The Day They Came to Arrest the Book" as an introduction to censorship in an eighth-grade class. Written as a novel for young readers, Hentoff's book presents very adult concepts -- censorship and perceptions of racism and sexism -- in a very easy-to-understand way, but without insulting the intelligence of his young readers.

The story may be fictional -- students and parents upset at what they believe to be racist and sexist content in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" challenge its place in the curriculum at George Mason High School -- but the incidents described within have happened more often than could reasonably be expected in a society that includes the First Amendment within its most sacred governing document.

The book tackles the issue of censorship very well -- this is Hentoff, after all -- and all of the characters are presented sympathetically. The people who want to censor "Huckleberry Finn" may be wrong to do so, but they are motivated by good intentions, however misdirected.

Who wouldn't want a society that is free of racial or sexual prejudice? But the loss of freedom of speech and thought would be too high of a price to pay. And in this case, the people who challenge "Huckleberry Finn" have missed the book's point completely. It is entirely fitting that a Black character deliver this message, since exposure to a certain word that is scattered very profusely throughout Mark Twain's masterpiece is what the book's censors want to protect him from.

Read this book, and then look for "Free Speech for Me But Not For Thee," also by Nat Hentoff. The real life examples of censorship described therein are a valuable reminder that "The Day They Came to Arrest the Book" may be fiction, but the events they describe are true-to-life.

When I was in my mid-teens, I read 'The Day They Came To Arrest The Book'. This book is probably responsible for pushing me forward in political activism. The characters are engaging and the plot is well developed. The one reader who did not like this book might want to consider that it isn't a book meant to be read to a child by a parent. This is a book that should be discovered by a child on their own at their own pace. A excellent book for teenagers that doesn't deal with the prom or snagging a boyfriend.

This book was great! I felt caught up in the battle over Huckleberry Finn. Kate was my favorite character. She was a character who the protagonist was fighting against, yet she was smart and sensible and made you really like her. The person who claims that this book was written more for adults is WRONG, because I am a 14 year old and I loved this book. The story was engaging and fast-paced. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good hard fight for something they beleive in!

"The Day They Came To Arrest The Book" is a good story about a kid named Barney, a friend named Luke, a teacher named Mrs. Baines and a book named "The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn." The Day They Came to Arest The Book" is all about the first amendment or the freedom of press. A child named Gordon and his father decide that the book is both racist and sexist. They are both African American and feel that they want the book banned from school campus. Barney Roth (the school newspaper editor)disagrees. He thinks that the book is a great piece of American literature and should not be banned from school campus. He is backed by his teacher Nora Baines. She agrees, and so Nora Baines, Barney, Luke (Barney's friend)and the new librarian Derdier Fitzgerald all unite against Gordon's dad and the principle Mr. Moore in a great debate. The debate starts small but then heats up and soon the press comes to the small public George Manson high school. This book is a great example of both human rights and human strength to fight for them.This book is definitely worth reading.

Censorship has long been a hot-button issue, especially in the last 25 years or so as special interest groups have sustained a fierce battle against some of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. Teachers, administrators, librarians, parents, school boards, and students all over the country have become embroiled over arguments that many of us find patently absurd. It wouldn't be so bad if it were just a matter of individuals declaring a book offensive and refusing to read it themselves; the problem comes with the fact that these people band together in an attempt to legislate morality for all the rest of us, especially the nation's students. When a classic such as Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn comes under attack, it's downright impossible not to take sides, and the debate all too often devolves into righteous indignation and, before you know it, personal attacks and the most uncivil of arguments.

The great significance of The Day They Came to Arrest the Book is the fact that author Nat Hentoff manages to present all sides of the censorship argument in a passionate yet objective manner, addressing the main arguments and analogies in revealing, respectful ways. It can surely help those in its target audience, teenagers and young adults, examine the evidence and determine their own beliefs on this sensitive issue. All too often, the most vociferous young voices on the side of censorship are really just jumping on the bandwagon of their peers or using the issue as a means for getting out of English assignments or class altogether. This novel demonstrates the real significance of the whole issue, as it really gets down to the root of our constitutional rights and liberties as Americans. It's no accident that the high school in this novel is named George Mason High - George Mason was, of course, the great American patriot who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights and went on to earn the appellation "Father of the Bill of Rights." (Sadly, most public school students have probably never even been introduced to him in their history classes.)

As for the story at hand, the trouble stems from a high school teacher's use of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in her American History class. One of her black students feels offended by Twain's use of the "n word," and within hours his father is calling upon the principal, who has the misfortune of being named Michael Moore (this novel was published in 1982), and insisting that Twain's classic novel not only be removed from his son's history class required reading list but also removed from the shelves of the library. In the past, Moore had been able to coerce the librarian to do a little secretive de-selection of books challenged in such a way, but the new librarian stands firm in her resolve to abide by the formal rules, which call for a special review board to determine the book's "guilt." The history teacher, for her part, settles in to fight like a banshee for Huck Finn. Our eyes and ears for much of the ensuing action is Barney Roth, editor of the school newspaper, who has to decide how far he will go in support of his own strong views on the dangers of censorship.

The most impressive thing about this novel is that fact that there really are no bad guys on either side; the only bad guy is the principal, who cares only about his own image and has done some extremely questionable things in the past to avoid controversy. As the debate over Huck Finn works its way from teachers and parents to the school board, the general public, and eventually a national audience, all voices and opinions are given equal treatment. I might also add that the battle lines are not drawn along strict racial lines, either - nor strictly ideological ones. We see how Barney's story for the student newspaper can affect the status of the newspaper's faculty advisor, how the former librarian sacrificed her principles in order to keep a job she loved, and how someone like this particular principal uses his position to intimidate those who threaten to rock the boat. Obviously, one side has to win out for the novel to have any sort of closure, but both sides emerge with a greater measure of respect for their opponents' thoughts and ideas - and strained friendships are firmly renewed. This really is an excellent novel designed to challenge teenaged (as well as adult) readers to come to their own conclusions about the issue of censorship.

I would recommend the book "The Day They Came To Arrest The Book" by Nat Hentoff because of the detail used in his book. This book shouldn't be recommended for children under 10 years of age because of the stories' outline, it is so suspenseful. The author has great touch in his detail you just want to stay in the book with your nose it is so interesting. This book has a touch based theme and plot the teaches you about when people do not have respect foe others,and need to have consequences. Look into reading this book and you will be a suspenseful person like an investigator.

I first read this book when I was in junior high. It made the biggest impression on me, and made me realize how stupid censoring books really was. I recently wrote an article on Banned Books Week for my local paper, and I've talked with a few librarians about this book in particular being a big influence on me. I would encourage teachers to put this one on their readling lists if they want to teach kids about the importance of freedom of the press and freedom of speech.