what the critics say

This book begs to be read and discussed.

—Deborah Taylor, YA librarian & chair of the ALA Coretta Scott King Award jury (2000)

Masterfully written and skillfully paced, Finn: a novel tells a Huckleberry Finn story for our time, a picaresque adventure which will engage and enlighten teenage readers. Girls will respond to Chloe Wilder's courage and clear-sightedness. Matthew Olshan has given them a heroine to emulate.

—Eleanor W. Kingsbury, former Head of Springside School (Philadelphia, PA)

In Finn: a novel, Matthew Olshan has produced a wonderfully entertaining, suspenseful, and thought-provoking parallel to Mark Twain's classic novel. Olshan's debut fiction succeeds as both a lively coming-of-age tale and a critical examination of contemporary American social values.

—Paul Barrett, Academic Dean, St. Albans School for Boys (Washington, DC)

I sat down to read Finn: a novel with a light snow falling, and the cat curled up at my feet. I should have fastened my seatbelt. This is a powerful book.

—Trudi Rishikof, former director of communications, Rhode Island Dept. of Education