Witness by Karen Hesse

1. Title: Witness

2. Author: Karen Hesse

3. Genre: Historical Fiction – Novel in Verse

4. Awards/Honors: None

5. Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

6. Copyright: 2001

7. Grade/Age Level: 5th - 8th

8. Basic Overview: The setting is announced from the beginning as Vermont, 1924, but it is not just set broadly in Vermont but a small town in Vermont. The story covers the span of many characters, the main ones being two young girls, Leanora Sutter (a black girl) and Esther Hirsh (a Jewish girl), up against the rising Ku Klux Klan which makes up the portion of the town; however, there are many characters on their side such as Sara Chickering and Mr. Field. The young girls find themselves being either attacked or shunned by those citizens part of the Klan. This is the conflict in the story, the two girls versus society. The plot begins with getting an identity of most of the characters, finding out who they are, and deciding who is on what side. The rising action is the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the town, and the decision making around the town. The story hits a high point, or climax, when a few of the Klan members decide to act out against the two girls: Johnny Reeves tries to shoot the Hirsch’s, Merlin Van Ternholt attempts to poison the well of Leanora Sutter’s family, and Harvey Pettibone gave Merlin the rat poison to do it. The falling action is the false attempts they made and their reactions to their failures: Johnny Reeves commits suicide, Merlin runs away, and Harvey wants to make things better for themselves. Also, the falling action is the fall of the K.K.K. making the resolution the re-workings of the town which do not shun the two girls and their helpers. Although many themes can be brought from this book, the most emphasized one would probably be “do not let society pressure you into doing what you know is wrong.”

9. What makes it quality literature?: This book is quality literature because: (1) It expands awareness by putting students in someone else’s shoes and perspective, (2) it does not have an obvious moral message even though there is one, (3) It is truthful in the description of this historic event, (4) it embodies quality in the sense of having believable characters and a poetic voice, (5) it comes together to make one whole. In my opinion, this book has amazing quality. I would love for everyone I know to read this book.

10. Is it ESOL speaker oriented?: This book helps enhance the intellectual needs of students by producing for them a historic event in a poetic style. They will be getting involved in the past of their own country while also being involved in good literature. Also, emotionally, students can be enhanced by reading about how their actions and words do not only affect others but also affects themselves.

11. How can teachers use it?: A passage in the book I would love to read-aloud would be pages 40-41. It starts, “my daddy said mr. field, the uncle of miss stockwell, our landlady,/ was feeling poorly/ and I might take myself over to see/ if I could be of any use” and ends with, “i marched home in a straight line,/ with my back tall,/ and thought about that regiment of men/ like a streamer of dark silk.” It is the first time Leanora is at Mr. Field’s to help out, and their conversation is about his days in the civil war and how proud he was to see black men chase out the rebels. It is one of the happiest moments in the book, and I liked it.

12. How can parents use it?: When a student is reading this, parent should talk with their child about what they know about the Ku Klux Klan. I would suggest they get together and research that time in history, 1924, and see if the book holds true to its word. Also, this is a good chance to discuss racial or stereotyping issues with their children.

13. Accessibility?: Moderately accessible. Witness should be in most libraries, but can certainly be found online. Get it now at amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Witness-Karen-Hesse/dp/0439272009/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237222768&sr=8-1

Kiddie L. Critic