Rating: 
Summary: History at a Glimpse Absent the Supplement of an Afterword
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: The tale takes the form of poems
Review: Karen Hesse's Witness tells of a small town changed by the arrival of the Klu Klux Klan in 1924. The tale takes the form of poems which relate the experiences of different witnesses in this unusual presentation.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite finished...
Review: Karen Hesse won my heart with her novel Out of the Dust, so I was disappointed to realize the lack of character development in Witness. To Hesse's credit, the story does a fantastic job of carrying the reader into the middle of a small community's crisis as it faces the development of the KKK within its town limits. The poetic verse conveys the story beautifully, and the novel's structure is compelling. Unfortunately, the characters come in and out with such little development that the reader is unable to become emotionally attached to the outcome. Glimpses of what "could have been" come in the form of Sara and the young Jewish girl she cares for.
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Summary: "Witness" by Karen Hesse
Review: Eleven "ordinary sensible hardheaded" Vermonters give eyewitness accounts of Ku Klux Klan activities in this edgy but affirming work by Newbery Award-winner Karen Hesse. The five-act novel opens in small-town northeast America in the time of Prohibition, Calvin Coolidge, and Clarence Darrow. The Klan arrives almost imperceptibly at first, when the town merely seems receptive to bigotry, but the nightriders quickly progress to threats and assaults. Leanora, a black 12-year-old, and Esther, a 6-year-old Jew, bear the brunt of hate, but the racism deeply affects the families, marriages, businesses, and romances of the white Protestant locals as well. A resident of Vermont, Hesse knows her territory: the Klan had thousands of supporters in this isolated rural state in the 1920s until its demise there in 1930. As historical fiction, "Witness" is a vital multicultural alternative to "To Kill a Mockingbird" for freshman discussions of racism in America. As drama, "Witness" can be adapted easily into a reader's theatre production. As poetry, it takes its cue from the village of multidimensional characters in Edgar Lee Masters's "Spoon River Anthology," written only ten years before the time of "Witness." While some conservative parents may object to the book's portrayal of Johnny Reeves, the KKK preacher, the real controversy will surface when students analyze how, in "Witness," racism also destroys the racists. This is a suspenseful, poignant read with very real characters and a high moral ground that should find a place on every teen's required reading list.
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Summary: Stunning Talent
Review: Karen Hesse's uncanny talent for writing in free verse is never more evident than in her latest book "Witness." The different voices of each her characters come through with such clarity and creativity that the reader begins to hear each unique voice in their head as they make their way through this tale. From the poignant thoughts of young Esther Hirsh to the comedic banter of the Pettibones, this book does an amazing job of making you feel as if you watched this story unfold from the vantage point of a hidden observer. Balancing the many views, actions and results of any town's struggle with racism is a difficult task -- yet Ms. Hesse does a beautiful job of showing the reader all of the above with a book that can only be described as tremendous!
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Summary: Copycat!
Review: This book is readable and compelling in parts, but I was completely distracted by the obvious COPYING of the voice of Esther Hirsch using the writing and character of Opal Whiteley, a real life six-year-old diarist from the early 1900's in Oregon who ultimately had her diary published and became famous but is now obscure. Anyone who has read Opal Whiteley's work can see this imitation, and the unusual quality and syntax of Whiteley's diary makes it impossible for me to dismiss this as a coincidence; probably it was in Hesse's subconscious or some kind of writing workshop exercise. It is one thing to write in the style or be inspired by Opal Whiteley's amazing and original voice, but to so clearly emulate it and then not give one dollop of credit really lowers Hesse in my eyes. If I am wrong, please correct me.
Rating:
Summary: A Winner
Review: 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.
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Summary: A beautifully written book.
Review: In this book, Karen Hesse returns to the spare, poetic style of her beautifully written Out of the Dust. This book, set in a small Vermont town in 1924, is told from the point of view of eleven of its residents, including two memorable children, twelve-year-old Leonara Sutter, who is black, and six-year-old Esther Hirsh, who is Jewish. It is a time when hatred and persecution are commonplace all over the country, even in the idyllic New England countryside. Leonara and Esther have commited no crime but to be born different from their white Protestant neighbors, but in the eyes of the Ku Klax Klan, that is enough of a reason to target the Sutters and the Hirshes, and those that would befriend and defend them. This memorable, poetic, and powerful novel explores the nature of hatred, the horror of violence, the value of acceptance, and the beauty of life, all in just 161 short pages. I can't reccomend this book highly enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Witness
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 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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