Witness [Paperback]

Karen Hesse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003 | Age Range: 8 and up

Leanora Sutter. Esther Hirsh. Merlin Van Tornhout. Johnny Reeves . . .

These characters are among the unforgettable cast inhabiting a small Vermont town in 1924. A town that turns against its own when the Ku Klux Klan moves in. No one is safe, especially the two youngest, twelve-year-old Leanora, an African-American girl, and six-year-old Esther, who is Jewish.
In this story of a community on the brink of disaster, told through the haunting and impassioned voices of its inhabitants, Newbery Award winner Karen Hesse takes readers into the hearts and minds of those who bear witness.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It is 1924, and a small Vermont town finds itself under siege--by the Ku Klux Klan. Using free verse, Newbery Medal-winning author Karen Hesse (Out of the Dust) allows 11 unique and memorable voices to relate the story of the Klan's steady infiltration into the conscience of a small, Prohibition-era community. The Klan's "all-American" philosophy is at first embraced by several of the town's influential men, including Constable Parcelle Johnson and retailer Harvey Pettibone. But Harvey's sensible wife, Viola, and independent restaurant owner Iris Weaver suspect from the beginning that the Klan's arrival heralds trouble. As the only African Americans in town, 12-year old Leonora Sutter and her father try to escape Klan scrutiny, while 6-year-old, city-born Esther Hirsch remains blissfully unaware of the Klan's prejudice against Jews as she enjoys the Vermont countryside. And Sara Chickering, the lady farmer who has opened her home to Esther and her father, is torn between her own hidden biases and her growing love for Esther.

All, however, are galvanized towards action when a shadowy figure shoots at Esther and her father right through Sara's front door. Who would commit such an evil act? And is it too late to remove the poison that has insidiously leaked into their once tight-knit community? Part mystery, part social commentary, Hesse's historically accurate chronicle is a riveting catalyst for discussion that thoughtfully explores race and identity from every possible point of view. The free verse format and distinct characterizations also make Witness a perfect choice for library or classroom reader's theater productions. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Hesse's (Out of the Dust) powerful, history-inspired novel about the Ku Klux Klan's encroachment on a small town in 1924 Vermont becomes a riveting audiobook as performed by a stellar cast. The story told in poetry, in the voices of 11 characters is surprisingly easy to follow; listeners are introduced to each distinctive character voice at the outset and are soon caught up in the strong narrative rhythm, able to discern who's who. Fine showings from Heather Alicia Simms (When Kambia Elaine Came Down from Neptune) as Leonora Sutter, a 12-year-old African-American girl, and Jenna Lamia in the role of six-year-old Esther Hirsh, a Jewish immigrant child, anchor the proceedings and give this production its heart. Colorful supporting characters, some with evocative New England accents, subtly and effectively draw listeners into Hesse's thought-provoking themes. At program's end, listeners are treated to bonus material: a meaty interview with Hesse conducted by author and children's book historian Leonard S. Marcus. Hesse reveals, among other things, her inspiration for the book and her research methods. Ages 12-up. Simultaneous release with the Scholastic hardcover, reviewed in Children's Forecasts, Aug. 20.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; Reprint edition (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439272009
• ISBN-13: 978-0439272001
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars History at a Glimpse Absent the Supplement of an Afterword January 8, 2002

By C. J. Black

Format:Hardcover

The major shortcoming with "OUT OF THE DUST" is perpetuated in "WITNESS"--historical events and characters referenced in the narrative are not chronicled with supplemental information in an "Afterward".
As a 5th grade teacher well-read in trade books for children ages 9-12, this is really disconcerting. Author and publisher are overconfident about historical background knowledge they presume children possess at the time of accessing a book. Appreciation and insight is limited.
In OUT OF THE DUST, references to the Lindberg kidnapping, the Canadian Quintuplets, and even FDR go right over children's heads. It will be the same in WITNESS--Clarence Darrow; the Loeb trial; Prohibition and "rum-running"; the allusion to the death of the son of the president who was Coolige's predecessor; minstrel shows; the racist Hollywood movie endorsed by President Wilson; hoods, burning crosses, and the KKK--even the quaint jargon of the 6 year old female protagonist--all are foreign material for children without background. Many literate adults (myself included) would have to refresh their memory by futher reading of some of these oblique references in Hesse's narrative. I may recall that the KKK enjoyed its highest appeal in the 1920's and made its entry into non-Southern states but I cannot recall the reasons.
The antidote to my criticism--include an Afterward with historical and biographical sketches. At least give children a picture of a KKK rally or even a hate lynching of a "Negro!" And if you can present a historical photo of a KKK meeting in Vermont--all the better!
Two recent trade books of historical fiction for children come to my mind which provide excellent afterwards and/or pictures to really support children's understanding: "FEVER 1793" by Laurie Anderson, and Richard Peck's new novel, "Fair Weather". Factual information enhances the portrayal of artifact in narrative. Karen Hesse and publisher--have a look!
Your free-verse format is most appealing and approachable for children but help give them a frame of reference!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother of a nine-year old from Canada January 12, 2002

By "emily-r"

Format:Hardcover

I have just listened to my nine-year old read this book out loud to me. The book was difficult for her to read by herself, being unfamiliar with the concepts in the book and finding the free verse style unusual at first and she was prepared to give up on the book. This is why she ended up reading it out loud to me. With some orientation from an adult, she then found the book to be fascinating and she put a lot of thought into which of the characters 'made sense' and 'who acquired some sense as the story went on.' This book was probably her first real introduction to the concept of racism. As a parent, I did not know how bad things were going to get in the book, and thus did not know what I might be exposing her to. That is the other reason why I wanted to read it with her, to be able to support her in case there were very traumatic things in the book.

The book proved to be interesting and the content was apppropriate for a nine year old to be exposed to. It was a time of parent-child sharing. It has provoked discussion and will cause us to further expolore these issues and even look up a bit more about some of the details. The 'free verse format' actually worked out very well as the book moved quickly and could be read in a few settings even by a nine year old. By reading it out loud there were lots of opportunities to learn about new words and practice pronunciation. I highly recommend this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner August 23, 2001

By beckyjean VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I usually find novels in verse pretentious at best and unreadable at worst. They never seem to work. I'm glad to say that Karen Hesse's WITNESS is an exception.

The voices are distinct and interesting -- I especially like those of Esther Hirsch and the Pettibones. The "plot" is compelling and not at all predictable. The photographs at the front are a nice touch -- they really create the community and flesh out the voices.