Chapter 16 Summary

The school board meeting is being held at the town hall to accommodate the anticipated crowd. As Fosters watches the national news stations set up equipment, he believes the nation will stop laughing at their community, since he believes the board will vote to keep Huckleberry Finn. The crowd overflows the town hall, and several individuals are moved to a smaller room to watch the proceedings on a closed circuit television. The crowd is somewhat subdued, since many in the audience have spoken previously at the review committee meeting. Carl speaks, reminding the board if they wish to remain as school officials, they should vote to ban the novel.

Steve Turney, the young black student who chose to remain in Nora's class, stands to speak. He tells the board he is there to speak on behalf of his rights to not have individuals...