The theme deals with whether high school students should have unlimited access to controversial reading materials so that they can make up their own minds about the merits of such materials or whether they should be protected from "ugliness" of one kind or another by book censors.

The main character is the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. All conversation and action revolve around it, and readers will learn a great deal about Mark Twain's and Huck's intentions, beliefs, and social condition. Aside from that, the main character is Barnaby Roth, a very intelligent Jewish student with a great love for books and the library. As editor of the school newspaper, he is able to give his own opinions power and must decide whether to pursue his beliefs no matter who might be hurt or to make concessions. His best friend is Luke...