Hello,

I came across an interesting parallel of this discussion in the New
York Times in an article on the children's books featuring Junie B.
Jones:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/fashion/26junie.html?em&ex=1185595200&en=edb8fce4ac0ebed6&ei=5087%0A

The article is about whether the main character's ungrammatical
vernacular and sometimes questionable behavior are good for kids to
read.  Granted, the books are actually written for children, unlike
Huck Finn.  Still, an interesting discussion of the necessity of
protecting kids from the evils of incorrect language and fun.

Tracy Wuster
American Studies, UT Austin