There is not a doubt in my mind that the great Mark Twain is trying his best to expose social issues between wealthy southern whites, middle class southern whites, poor southern whites and blacks. But this book is definately not one of my favorites. But i encourage young teens to take it on and see how they themselves classify it.
N_gger references now inappropriate yet well used by the author to show the crass stupidity and ignorance prevelant at the time.
Discuss how words become inappropriate through time and often through education. Kids will enjoy the adventures in this story and the 'rascally' Huck Finn.