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Summary: Witness
Review: Although sometimes weird and only a little confusing i still thought it was a good book. The word use/choice was very unique. I really liked Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse so i thought I'd give another one of her books a try. I would recommend it to people if they are looking for something different to read and also something tragic. The story is about an African American girl and a young Jewish girl living in the 1920's during the years of the Ku Klux Klan and how they are destroying the little town. It is also seen through the point of view from other towns people and what they are dealing with and what goes on in their lives.
Rating: 
Summary: WITNESS is a great read about a fascinating topic.
Review: Award-winning author Karen Hesse's latest book covers a surprising series of events. It takes place in 1924, in Vermont, as the Ku Klux Klan begins to move into a quiet town. You didn't know that the Klan was active in the North? Me neither. History books make it sound like a strictly southern force --- but as the real events on which Hesse based this book prove that it's just not so.
At first, the book looks as though it may be a play: each character is seen with their picture attached. But, in fact, the novel is written in verse. One 12-year-old character, Leanora Sutter, is the only black girl in the small town. She befriends an odd Jewish girl named Esther, even though Esther is half her age. Together they face the stream of prejudice spewed forth by the Klan.
Their small town is not used to the ways of the Klan. Many are drawn into it because of the friendship its members share; others honestly believe, for a short time, that the Klan is looking out for the best interests of the town. By the time people realize what it is really about, hateful, violent acts begin happening late at night. Those who have joined are frightened. Those who opposed the Klan to begin with are terrified. Esther's father is shot at, and Mr. Sutter's friend is threatened repeatedly.
Hesse creates wonderful characters --- the creepy Reverend Reeves, sassy Iris Weaver, and most of all, Leanora and Esther. In WITNESS we see that even in the smallest town, people run the gamut of personalities: from almost evil to amazingly brave and good. The action and suspense kept me turning the pages.
As a big fan of Karen Hesse, I couldn't help but be troubled by one factor in this novel --- the voice of Esther. It seems too obviously to be based on the wonderful and little-known writings of Opal Whiteley. For someone who is normally as historically accurate as Karen Hesse, I was disappointed that she didn't take this opportunity to let readers know about Opal.
Still, WITNESS is a great read about a fascinating topic. If you want historical fiction about the Ku Klux Klan, read this. Karen Hesse doesn't cut corners on gritty and frightening details. But, if you want an amazing and poetic read where you feel like you're in a whole other world, pick up Opal Whiteley, and spread the word: she's so cool, she might have been the world's first peace-loving hippie.
--- Reviewed by Kate Torpie
Rating: 
Summary: The book was only okay
Review: I thought this was a great book. I couldn't put it down and read it front to back in one sitting. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a good read that will keep you thinking.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a fast read but well worth it.
Review: In poetry, prose and five acts we are taken through the lives of 11 individuals in 1924, based on actual events. The Ku Klux Klan is on the rise in a small Vermont town. A rise, that after time and significant events, cross burning and Mr. Hirsch being shot, the town will not allow it to continue. Although each characters voice is important the story centers on two girls in the town, Esther Hirsh, the six-year-old Jewish girl and 12-year-old Leanora Sutter, an African-American girl. Despite its form, Witness is not a fast read. The topic and issues of racism, prejudice and the personal struggles of people and a town deciding what to do when a devastating group (...). The photographs of each character bring you in to their world of 1924. Also knowing each characters age and occupation enhances the story. Witness is recommend for readers (...). This book will touch students and adults alike and will spark discussions on topics such as tolerance, racism, prejudice, and American History
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Summary: Witness- a Great Book review by Emily Ansley
Review: In the small town of Vermont lives 6-year-old Esther Hirsh, who is Jewish and 12-year-old Leonora Sutter, the only African American family in the town. These children are put at risk the most when the Ku Klux Klan comes. Will the town ever realize the harm and anger it is causing? Will the prejudice in the town ever go away?
Karen Hesse is a wonderful author and uses a lot of great detail in her writing. This book makes you think and it makes you want to read more and more of it. This book is also very interesting and fun to read. People of all ages will enjoy this book.
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Summary: Karen Hesse's "Witness."
Review: Karen Hesse has outdone herself in writing this somber yet captivating story of a small Vermont town being invaded in 1924 by the Ku Klux Klan. The tale unfolds in the form of verse, which in turn is fashioned out of the memories and reflections of eleven different people who witnessed this ordeal. Twelve-year-old Leanora, an African-American girl, and six-year-old Esther, a Jewish girl sent to live in the country, are the main characters of the story. They watch as the Klan is taking root in this otherwise very white and Protestant New England town. Through the story, the reader is introduced to Sara Chickering, a Protestant farmer who takes young Esther into her home as a sort of foster mother, and who subsequently is disgusted and somewhat bewildered at the rise of this organization of hate. We learn of 18 year-old Merlin Van Tornhout, who definitely believes in his ethnic superiority and is intrigued with the Klan. But how far will he go? Then there is Jonny Reeves, a clergyman intoxicated with the idea that the KKK is the savior of the Protestant faith and the white race. It may surprise you what this man of God has to say.Meanwhile Harvey Pettibone is being drawn into the flock of the organization, while his wife, Viola, has her doubts of the KKK's morality. Percelle Johnson, the towns constable, knows that the Klan is behind the threatening notes and dastardly deeds committed in town. He also knows, however, that he must walk a fine line between upholding justice and angering the Klan. Finally, Iris Weaver, a restaurant owner and rum runner, Fitzgerald Flitt, a doctor, and Reynard Alexander, the town's newspaper editor, all reflect on and voice their disapproval of the rise of the Klan. Nevertheless, they seem to fear speaking out too loudly. How long can they hold their respective tongues? Written in a brief narrative style, this historical fiction offers a glimpse into the rise in popularity the Ku Klux Klan enjoyed in the 1920s. The reader is introduced to an important aspect of American history through the thoughts and feelings of these eleven seemingly everyday people. With what appears to be a simple retelling of an intriguing story, the reader is introduced to a small town on the precipice of social chaos brought on by a foreign ideal of intolerance. In so doing, readers are able to bear witness for themselves what at least one aspect of small town life was like in post World War I America.
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Summary: One more witness
Review: The book Winess was not one of my favorite books. This book was about a girl named Leonna Sutter who lives in a small town in Vermont. The setting for this book was in 1924 when the KKK were moving into town. She is a witness to all of this. This book is easy to read but difficult to understand, because it skips from one story to another. It was confusing but don't take my advice for it. You are your own person and you choose if you want to read it or not. In this book, the only thing I really understood was when Leonna was telling about her life. But when everybody else was telling their different stories it got confusing. The best story element for this book would be the characterization. It has so much of this in this book because it talks about different people of what they were going through. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes histroy.
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Summary: Powerful and Moving.
Review: This book is so kewl. It's set up as poems from 9 different people's points of view. It's all about a small town in the 1930's that is virtually being taken over my the ku klux klan and changing the way that people think. All of the sudden it seems like you must be a part of the ku klux klan to get anywhere in the city. People are getting married in white robes and putting "ku klux klan only" in the windows of their stores. Each person has a very different point of view though they are all equaly interesting. I would recomend this book to anyone that is interested in history.... and even if you aren't... give it a try!
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Summary: Witness Anonymous
Review: Witness Anonymous
I Absolutely Love This Book And It Is A Book That Makes You Wants To Turn The Page. This Book Is Also Filled With Free Verse Poetry. The 11 Characters Have Extreme Emotions Like When They Are Happy They Are Happy And When They Are Mad They Are Mad. The Book Takes Place In 1924 Also Is About The Ku Klux Klan Taking Over Their Small Town In Virginia, Which Is Almost A Tragedy With A Small Klan. The Klan Is Against A Few People In This Book Like 12-Year-Old Lenora Sutter Who Is Black And 6 Year Old Esther Hirsh And Her Father Ira Hirsh Who Are Jewish. Sara Checkering Is Like Esther's Mother And Is A Farmer. Merlin Van Tornhout Is 18 And Is A Prejudice. Percille Johnson Is A Town Constable And Is A Prejudice Too. Johnny Reeves Is The Preacher And Is A Prejudice As Well. Iris Weaver Is A Restaurant Owner And A Rumrunner That Was Prohibited In 1924. Then There Is Fitzgerald Flit Is A Dr., And Reynard Alexander Who Is A Newspaper Editor. But Nobody Can Forget Harvey And Viola Pettabone Who Provide Comic Relief. I'd Rate This Book Five Out Of Five Because Of All The Things I Just Wrote.
Rating: 
Summary: the worst book I've ever read in my entire life
Review: Witness is the most boring book EVER!!!!I read it in 5 minutes and it dosen't have any story.It does not make any sense too.It has weird and stupid lines such as I am being buried too,
in all this whiteness
and: Looked like he had saw a ghost. BAD EXPLINATIONS!!!
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