Huck’s Raft (2004) by historian Steven Mintz is a comprehensive non-fiction history of childhood in America, tracing how the experiences and perceptions of children have changed from the colonial era to the present. Dividing childhood into three major eras—premodern (before 1750), modern (1750–1950), and postmodern (1950–present)—Mintz challenges romanticized notions of an innocent, idyllic youth by revealing the hardships children have long endured, especially along lines of race and class. Drawing inspiration from Huckleberry Finn, Mintz explores how idealized images of childhood often contrast sharply with historical realities. Through detailed analysis, he argues that while the form of childhood has changed over time, vulnerability and inequality have remained persistent themes in the lives of American children.
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