Huck Finn substitute

[Bonnie Fulmer <GBF1@MARISTB.MARIST.EDU>]

     The 11th grade American literature teacher in our school is
looking for titles she can allow as alternate reading for students who
object to reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  In the past
she has allowed Uncle Tom's Cabin and a biography of Harriet
Tubman, but she would like to come up with more titles.  Ideally
they would be written by contemporaries of Twain's, but perhaps from
a different perspective.  That of a slave?  Of a woman?  Of course,
the thematic concept of coming-of-age would be wonderful, but probably
would be too much to ask for in one book.  More contemporary works set
in that historical period might be acceptable, if period literature is
not available.  What books do your English teachers recommend for
readers who object to Huck Finn, or any other title, for that matter?
     Thanks for any titles you can suggest, or any other
assigned/alternate pairs you can provide.  It's nice to have the
information ready BEFORE the issue arises with another title!

                              Bonnie Fulmer, Librarian
                              Spackenkill High School
                              112 Spackenkill Road
                              Poughkeepsie, NY   12603
                              gbf1@maristb.marist.edu