Nostalgia shrouds the idea of the American childhood as a simpler and lighthearted time. In Huck’s Raft: A History of American Childhood, Mintz deconstructs this myth by exploring the history of the United States through the lens of childhood. From childhood experienced in Purtian colonies to childhood experienced during the Civil Rights Movement, Mintz weaves relevant scholarly literature to point to the grating realities of childhood throughout history that society seems to forget quickly. Childhood has not always been easy, nor has it always existed as the developmental phase of life we view it as today. Ironically, many views of childhood in the past continue to inform our zeitgeist. It is a book that will push you toward a deeper understanding of the United State’s past and a more informed response to the needs of children today. Mintz’s analysis ends at the turn of the century. One only wishes he would release an updated version with an analysis of the last twenty years. Yet, even without an updated analysis, the book’s insights still prove to be helpful. Mintz’s reflections on the experiences of children, as well as the external forces and the mindsets of the adults that have shaped them, call us to look more deeply at the way we approach children and the concept of childhood today. Although the flow of Mintz's writing can sometimes prove difficult to follow, the sheer amount of interesting information he covers makes any complaints about writing style moot. Included in the book are ample notes and further resources, making it a robust addition to any scholarly library. Overall, Huck’s Raft is an excellent source for those interested in historical sociology, teachers looking for resources to engage American History students through a new lens, and those interested in children and adults’ responsibility toward them.