Rating: 
Summary: This book can inspire any teacher to never give up.
Review: Ernest Gaines wrote a clever and touching book that covers racial, social, and ethical issues. He implores the reader to search inside his or her own heart to find the meaning and purpose in teaching others as well as just being human. By not allowing everything to be black and white, Gaines envokes the reader to discover the unorthadoxed gray area. He can pull on our heart strings and really make the readers think and debate about tough issues. A Lesson Before Dying will make me a better future teacher. I enjoyed this book immensly.
Rating: 
Summary: Kind of boring from a 15 year old P.O.V
Review: From a 15 year old p.o.v., this book was boring and the plot was underdeveloped and it did not seem as though the author took a lot of time for details.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story and good exploration
Review: Ernest Gaines' novel explores the wrong conviction of a young black boy named Jefferson for murder and how a higher-class black teacher has to make him a "man" before his electrocution. The novel does provide a wonderful week of reading as the story develops and the associations between the characters reach climaxes and anticlimaxes. However, one critisicm is that Mr. Gaines did not sufficiently explore the association between Grant Wiggins, the teacher, and Jefferson. I recommend this, but don't be too dissapointed with some development.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: I had to read this book for Pre-IB English. I hated it! It might be the fact that I had to read it, but I doubt it. I did like that characters, but I felt the book was not good for a 14 year old to be reading. I believe this book would be better required reading for older students.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and thought provoking! Moved me to tears.
Review: This story captivated me from the beginning - A must read for all to remember and continue to work for justice for all - But the message is subtle -never preachy - I am a teacher, and was mad at Grant for the way he treated his students and his reluctance to be involved with his people, yet could feel his frustration and prison he was in - yet had faith that in the end he would come through - He had quite a journey to make along with Jefferson - Bravo to Ernest Gaines for writing a story that made me feel so many things -
Rating:
Summary: powerful
Review: i read this for summer reading in less than a week. this book made me understand the depths of racisim this country is still trying to overcome. it also shows the capabality humans have to teach eachother. it is a beautifully written book that left me satisfied as well as feeling that much wiser.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and moving reading of an excellent and moving book
Review: This book was my first experience in reading about an execution and the emotions of the prisoner and the family and friends involved.The plot was original, with characters you feel you know personally...just totally beautifully written. But the tape of the book was much more moving when read so superbly by Jay Long -- all the different accents were so very well done. I can't recommend this book and tape more highly!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This book grabs you from the very beginning and is relevant to issues happening today. It should be required reading in all the High Schools. Ernest Gaines is a master at putting everyday events into fiction that holds your interest from beginning to end. Not only two thumbs up, but five stars and five fingers for an excellent work.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy read, but no character development
Review: The prose of the book is fantastic. Except for Jeffersons journal, wish it could of been done differently. The characters, in my opinion were the same as when the book started. The only one who seemed to be moved by this experience was Paul, the deputy.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Jay Long is a wonderful narrator. The story is touching, moving and even upsetting at times. It makes you think. It makes you feel as though you are walking in another man's shoes. It is not always comfortable or pretty. There are many lessons to be learned in this book. I think it should be mandatory reading for all high school students.
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