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Let the Students Speak!

A History of the Fight for Free Expression in American Schools
by David L., Jr Hudson
Let the Students Speak!: A History of the Fight for Free Expression in American Schools. Beacon, dist. by Random. 2011. c.208p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780807044544. $17. LAW
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The U.S. Supreme Court decided 40 years ago to extend some First Amendment speech rights to public school students in the pivotal case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District. The decision was preceded and followed by numerous other cases focusing "on the conflict between school authority and student speech rights"—including political, sexual, religious, obscene, drug-related, violent, and off-campus speech; banned books; and dress codes. The law continues to evolve, notably with litigation on online speech and bullying. Hudson (law, Vanderbilt Univ.; The Rehnquist Court: Understanding Its Impact and Legacy) describes a progression of key cases, places them in historical and social context, brings in personal insight from participants, and analyzes the significance of the decisions. Another book with a similar selection of cases, Jamin B. Raskin's We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and About Students, serves as more of a teaching resource for high schools.
VERDICT An interesting and accessible read for upper high school and beyond, the book will appeal to educators, high school students, and parents.
Reviewed by Mary Jane Brustman, Univ. at Albany Libs., NY , Sep 15, 2011
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