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It is 1924, and a small Vermont town finds itself under siege--by the KuKlux Klan. Using free verse, Newbery Medal-winning author Karen Hesse (Out of the Dust) allows 11unique and memorable voices to relate the story of the Klan's steadyinfiltration into the conscience of a small, Prohibition-era community. TheKlan's "all-American" philosophy is at first embraced by several of the town'sinfluential men, including Constable Parcelle Johnson and retailer HarveyPettibone. But Harvey's sensible wife, Viola, and independent restaurant ownerIris 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 fathertry to escape Klan scrutiny, while 6-year-old, city-born Esther Hirsch remainsblissfully unaware of the Klan's prejudice against Jews as she enjoys theVermont countryside. And Sara Chickering, the lady farmer who has opened herhome to Esther and her father, is torn between her own hidden biases and hergrowing love for Esther.

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

Reviews (86)

Witness
Witness
Novel By Karen Hesse
Writen by a 12 year old boy in New York

Life is going fine in 1924 for two girls, Leanora Sutter, a colored girl age 12, and Esther Hirsh, a Jewish girl, age 6, who live in a small town in Vermont. Nothing can get in their way until the Ku Klux Klan arrives and their life changes forever. Going against their will they must find a way to stop the Ku Klux Klan from destroying their community and taking their lives in the book Witness written by Karen Hesse.
If you like reading historical fiction or diary entries this book is for you. One event during the book that kept me wanting to read this book was when Woody had shot someone. The police had heard the gunfire and quickly got to the crime scene. Knowing that he would go to jail and couldn't deal with that for the rest of his life, he hung himself on the bridge.
When reading this part in the book I felt that the writer really expressed the feeling of the character before he decided to hang himself. Karen Hesse did a great job in expressing the feeling of the characters and their sides of the story.
One flaw that kept me confused during the book was that the book jumped around a lot. A different character and subject told every page. That's the only part about the book I didn't like but other then that it was great.
To find out what happens to Leanora Sutter and Esther Hirsh when the Ku Klux Klan arrives you must read Witness.

WITNESS is a great read about a fascinating topic.
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

Powerful and Moving.
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!

Witness: A Great Book
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a small town where neighbors turn on each other, a town where it is not safe, not safe to be different?
In Witness the author, Karen Hesse captures the tale of a small town that nearly fell apart because of an event so strong it divided its townspeople. This horrible division caused many mixed feelings and actions to take place in the small town of Vermont, 1924.

The town was peaceful and everything worked out well, even for the two youngest children in town: Esther Hirsh, and Leonora Sutter. Everything worked out fine, until the Ku Klux Klan came to town. Every person in the town had their own feelings about these visitors, and they wanted to be heard. Karen Hesse does a great job in comparing the views of the unforgettable eleven characters.

To create the many points of views from various characters Karen uses journal-like entries written in poetic forms to express and reveal each character in depth. I personally found the technique used by Karen very interesting. It helped me as a reader to learn about each character and their strengths and weaknesses. To enhance the story, famous events such as the Leopold and Loeb case are added into the book, adding strong views on the situation by each character. They later realize what is happening to their small town, and face (giving the characters) the decisions of what to do with their lives before the K.K.K harms everyone.

Witness was a book I enjoyed to reading. It was"readalicous". It included many characters, a heart-warming ending, and a mystery disappearance of a character. On a scale of one to ten I would defiantly rate this book a ten right away. I couldn't put the book away for one second, fearing I would miss something about the book.

I would encourage everyone to read this story. The book contains many events and characters anyone can relate to. The book is very well written with many great passages. Witness is a great story where characters finally realize what they have been doing wrong while being under the Ku Klux Klan's clutches. The characters solve their individual problems, some more drastic than others. Witness is a wonderful book, which everyone should read, to learn about a small town and its ways of solving a major dilemma.

Not a fast read but well worth it.
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 ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Witty and smart kid's book; a message without moralizing
Really enjoyed it. Great for my nine-year old daughter who laughed a lot and liked that the writer didn't talk down to her. A message without getting beat over the head. First-rate. ... Read more

Book Description

Now you can find Paula Danziger's funny and compassionate testaments to the ups and downs of growing up, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit and There's A Bat In Bunk Five, available in a brand new format sure to elicit lots of laughs (and maybe even a few tears) from teens everywhere.Danziger skillfully balances her insight into the daily trauma of the young adult years with liberal doses of humor. -- School Library JournalMarcy Lewis is bored by school, resents her tyrannical father, despairs of ever being thin, and is certain that she'll never have a date. Then along comes Ms. Finney, a remarkable teacher with unconventional ways, and things begin to change.The issues of teacher independence and student protest are topical, and Marcy, an intelligent and enjoyable adolescent, is an appealing heroine. -- School Library JournalTold with zest and humor, this is a good read. -- Children's Book Review Service ... Read more

Reviews (50)

A Teenagers Real Life Situation
THE CAT ATE MY GYMSUIT By Paula Danziger

I had just read this book a year ago, when I was in seventh grade. I really liked "The Cat ate my Gymsuit". I thought it dealt with a lot of real life problems that most teenagers deal with. It was about a girl in seventh grade named Marcy, who was overweight, had a lot of acne, and had barely any friends. In gym class she made up excuses why she couldn't play gym, because she didn't want to change in front of everyone else, because she thought she was fat. She also hated her dad because he always made fun of her, and makes her mom cry. Until one day at school, their class had a new teacher who turned Marcy's life around. But the other teachers didn't like her teaching method and try to fire her. The students try to fight to save her. This was a really good book. I would read it again if I could. I would also recommend this book to be in classrooms everywhere!

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit
This is the book to read. It was written by Paula Panziger. the book is about this thirteen year old girl name Marcy, she feels bad and has low self a steem, because her parents tell her she's fat and ugly. Suddendly, things become better for Marcy. Their was this new teacher at Marcy school whose name was Ms. Finney. she was an new English teacher and Marcy and her fellow students thought she was great. She didn't teach, act, or dress like a normal teacher. Ms. Finney only taught stuff she believed in and thought to be true. One morning during the pledge Ms. finney didn't believe in one of the lines so she told the class how she felt. The Principal found out and fired Ms. Finney. All the kids were really angry with their principal Mr. Stone for firing Ms. Finney. They thought she was the best teacher because she made them all feel better about the selfs and all of the things she taught them. The kids decided not to let her go without a fight. If you want to find out what happen to Ms. Finney, you'll have to read the book. "The Cat Ate My Gymsuit" I highly recommend it.

70's was the best decade
I have recently been going back and reading some of my favorite books from when I was young. I enjoyed this book as much if not more this reading and I am 33 now! I highly recommend reading this book for a nice escape into the life of 13 year old in the 70's. (The original printing is what I recommend, the description above sounds like they may have updated the book and that as far as I am concerned would ruin the whole point of it. Find an old copy!)

Not the best with little zest.
The Cat Ate my Gymsuit wasn't a very good book. This book didn't have a very good flow and it was very choppy. There was not enough info on who the characters were and what they were doing. It was boring with no adventure or energy. It didn't keep my attention and people can't make any connections. It doesn't go very indepth with the main character and it doesn't tell you much about the people that are mentioned. You shouldn't judge this book by its cover or title because they have nothing to do with the book. The father verbally abuses the family and that makes this a book not recommended for elementary age students. Some good points about this book were that it was an easy read and if you have time on your hands its something to read. Some people may be able to relate. This book has an unexpected ending even though it's not exciting.

Super Good!!!!!!!
This book was awesome. It was kinda sad because she has all these problems. Her dad is really mean, and if I had a dad like that, I dont know what I would do! It was kinda uplifting in a way. I recommend this book to everybody, especially to people with social probs. Read this book!!! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Read to Understand!!!
Shadow of the Dragon is a really good book. Not only does it contains actions, drama, but also comedy as well. A story is about a boy named Danny, living with his parents, Ba, and a cousin Sang Le just arrive to the United State from Camp. He has a lot of responsibility, such as driving mom to store, help fill out the bills because parents doesn't understand English that well. This situation related to a lot of Foreign teenagers which the author make a good point. Also, the relationship between Danny and Tiffany are somewhat like Romeo and Juliet. Both sides have gang, Danny is with his Cousin gang, Tiffany brother have a gang of his own. Both gangs doesn't like each one another, that in result, Sang Le dies because of misunderstanding between Tiffany's brother and him. I would recommend people to read this book and find out what make the ending SO different other books

Shadow of the Dragon
I really enjoy this book. It is somthing I can relate to. The book is easy to understand. This book is about a boy named Danny. He tries to help his cousin learn English but, his cousin has a hard time learing English and get involved a gang. Danny must help his cousin get away from them but he has many other problem too. His girlfriend brother is bossing her around and he must stand up for her and he is stuggling in school. I would recommend this book to anyone because it's very suspensfull. I never thought I would read a book so fast!

shadow of the dragon
i think this book shadow to the dragon is really the best book i ever read in my life.even if im not the kind of person who is really into books or any of those stuff.It was any teacher who insired me to read this book and i would like to thank her because i aways annoyed her.At the end this book is really sad so read about it i keep on thinking about that poor guy that got killed by the skinheads now.so please read this i would highly recommand u this book

teen reader
This book is very very good. It does contain some racial comments and actions but its not so evil you'll be crying at night. I read a review that said "there was too many conficts going on in this book and that isn't good." But i like a book with many conflicts which this book has. Please read this book for it is very good.

What a Wonderful Novel!!!!!!!!!!!
Danny Vo is a 16-year-old caught between wanting to be an American and being Vietnamese. This novel is filled with love, action, and emotions that will carry you into his world. Sang Le is Danny's cousin, he is 18 and just out of a refugee camp in China. He is trying to fit in with the help of his cousin. This book was one of many books I have read in the bast year, but it was the best of them all. It thrilled me because of the awesome suspense. I READ THE WHOLE THING IN ONE-DAY! ... Read more

Book Description

Reverse spin, triple pump, reverse dribble, stutter step with twist to the left, stutter into jumper, blind pass. These are me. The moves make the man.The moves make me.

Jerome foxworthy -- the Jayfox to his friends -- likes to think he can handle anything. He handled growing up without a father. He handled being the first black kid in school. And he sure can handle a basketball.

Then Jerome meets bix Rivers -- mysterious and moody, but a great athlete. So Jerome decides to teach bix his game. He can tell that bix has the talent. All he's got to do is learn the right moves....

Reviews (31)

The Moves Make The Man
The Moves Make The Man is about a young African American boy named Jerome who is sent to an all white school . There he meets an athletic a Caucasian boy named Bix. They become good friends, and they teach each other different things life.
I liked this book because it felt like the characters are real. I also liked it because there are some funny parts but there are also some sad parts to. Their friendship helps them through each others hard times. This books theme is basketball but it's mostly about friendship. So I would highly recommend this book..

Just Voice
Just Voice
(This review is written by the voice of the main character.)

"Swish!" "I scored the game winning point against you Bix, you lose!" "I am the man you stink I rock, you little prissy girl!" This is some action that you will read in the book. It is about me Jay Fox, a black kid, and Bix, a white kid. Bix's mom is crazy and his dad could care less about Bix. I was there to help him out. He helped me out too. I learned new things about white people and what they think of us. The Moves Make The Man by Bruce Brooksis a wonderful book. If you are looking for an adventure and excitement, this is the book for you! He does an amazing job describing everything. It is almost like you are in the book. Playing basketball against me or Bix. It has some language that is not suitable for children under nine years of age. It is for children at the age of ten and up. If you are athletic and play a sport with your best friend (like me) this book will be highly suitable for you and your best friend. This book has everything you need adventure, excitement, and it also has really sad parts. It changes your mood from sad to happy in one page! Sometimes it's confusing but makes out to be a really good book and it ties it all up in the end of the book. I now have a good person to play basketball against. Now, I have shown him how to play basketball not "bounceball!" This is a great book. I bet there will be a second book!

The moves make the man
Jerome Foxworthy and Bix River become best friends when Jerome teaches Bix how to play basketball. However, the book is not only about basketball. Knowing how to play basketball is a metaphor on how to face life's challenges. For example, Bix had to deal with his father's death and his mother being in the mental hospital. I enjoyed how the relationship between these two teenagers grew not only because they were practicing how to play basketball correctly, but also more importantly how they tried to apply what they learned on the court to what problems they were facing off the court. For those who enjoy reading about sports and about the mysteries of life, they will truly find this book satisfying.

I will play my game beneath the spin light
This is the greatest book ever written. Danny and Ben friends till death, and after. There are no moves you truly make alone. Strength and honor my friend. This is the official book of the nome.

Metaphor For Life
The Moves Make The Man is a book that I enjoyed. The book had a lot of good details about the main characters. The author helps the reader feel the same things that the characters are feeling. Bruce Brooks made the characters seem unique and he makes them seem different from each other. I liked the way Bruce Brooks made two different people become best friends. I could relate to some of the scenes in the book because I find myself different from my friends. Bruce Brooks makes the reader feel like the main character by having the Jerome Foxworthy (the main character), narrate the book. I found that I could relate to some quotes in the book. " Reverse spin, triple pump, reverse dribble, stutter step with a twist to the left, stutter into jumper, blind pass. These are me. The moves make the man , the moves make me.". I can relate to the quote because I love football and it is not exactly a sport like basketball but the moves in football are moves that make me. Playing football is one of my favorite things to do and football makes me who I am. After reading the book, I found it to be a great book because Bruce Brooks makes you feel like you are Jerome Foxworthy and he writes quotes that are important. Bruce Brooks makes you think about how your life is compared to the characters in the book.

The Moves Make The Man is a book with a lot of information about the characters. Bruce Brooks makes the narrator of the book describe other characters by their physical appearance and the way they act. Bruce Brooks has a unique writing style and he shows it on the book. He would write about a suburban area and add a little mix of urban to it. The author has the narrator talk about his experiences with a friend he met. The book has the narrator sneak into his friend's house and has him tell the story of how they met and what they did together. Jerome, the narrator is portrayed as a kid with a lot of self confidence, but he just prefers to keep it to himself. Some quotes in the book foreshadow events that are about to happen. In one part of the book, there is a happy moment between Jerome, his brothers, and their mother. They were playing games that involved an old elevator but it also foreshadowed that the elevator was going to have an affect on them. Their mother ended up being involved in the accident with an elevator. Bruce Brooks describes how old the elevator is and had me foreshadow the events. Bruce Brooks also has a way of having readers predict what is going to happen next because the scenes are described in a way as if something big is going to happen next. For example, when Jerome tries out for the basketball team, he has to beat two other boys for a spot. The coach doesn't like Jerome so I wondered if the coach was going to switch around the rules and give the two other boys an advantage on Jerome. The author also makes the reader think at the end of the book. Bix, Jerome's friend ran away and he sends Jerome a blank postcard of the Capitol in Washington D.C.. Jerome knows it is a sign of something but he doesn't know what. Bruce Brooks makes me want to read more at the end because he writes sentences that makes me think. The book brings up questions in my mind such as "Where's Bix?" , "When will Bix tell Jerome where he is?" or "Will Bix come back?". The questions are mostly about Bix because Bruce Brooks ends the book without Bix and Jerome together. Bruce Brooks also uses basketball moves as metaphors and he relates the basketball moves such as faking to people's feelings. ... Read more

Book Description

What really happened
on Monday, October 27, at 6:00 a.m.?

The facts: Alex Crusan, an HIV-positive student, was attacked by an assailant who shattered the windows of his car with a baseball bat. Alex is in the hospital with multiple injuries.

The suspect: Clinton Cole was seen riding his bike in the vicinity that morning. And sure, he has problems with Alex. He might even have harassed him at school. But he'd never do something like this. Would he?

The witness: Daria Bickell never lies. So if she told the police she saw Clinton do it, she must have. But did she really?

The victim: After the windshield shattered, Alex ducked under the steering wheel. But he knows what he saw. Now he must decide what he wants to tell.

Three people, three perspectives -- one truth. Who will tell it?

Reviews (5)

Richie's Picks: FADE TO BLACK
One evening later this week Brook Haven Middle School will host its annual Open House. I spent a day in Shari's classroom late last week working hard to clean up the disaster zone in preparation for the occasion.

Shari is the school's drama teacher as well as one of the eighth-grade English teachers. Her drama students are notorious for leaving their thrift store purchased costuming and props in the classroom long after the performances are all complete. I filled four huge cartons to overflowing with those items that we're not likely to need for future productions. They went to the lost and found. A couple of cartons of the "good stuff" went into the prop room.

You would think that an English classroom should have a collection of some decent books in it, but Shari and I sort of go to extremes. Fortunately, I had brought a bunch of paper bags with me. I filled nine of them with old ARCs (advance reader copies) that I no longer cared about owning. A coordinator at juvenile hall will collect them in a couple of days and they'll get a whole new life.

As I collected and neatly stacked the classroom sets of books (SPEAK, THE LAND, THE MISFITS, WITNESS, THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE, LEFT FOR DEAD, 19 VARIETIES OF GAZELLE, BRONX MASQUERADE, etc.), and filled those shopping bags for juvenile hall, and filled a shelf in the office with the latest paperback purchases and 2005 ARCs, I also accumulated a very small pile of books to take back home. ("Like coals to Newcastle!" someone knowledgeable of our home might exclaim.) A few were ARCs of books that had gone on to win major awards. A couple were Richie's Picks titles that I wanted to have an extra copy of for booktalks. And I grabbed my copy of MORE THAN WORDS: THE SPEECHES OF MARIO CUOMO, which I used to delve into occasionally for inspiring "patriotic observances."

Two ARCs on that stack for home were literally falling apart. One was Brenda Woods' EMAKO BLUE, which we just bought a new copy of for the classroom. It's been passed nonstop from kid to kid for a year now. The other, which from overuse is now a collection of loose pages nested in a cover, is Alex Flinn's FADE TO BLACK. Finally getting my own chance to read it last night, I had to grip it with two hands so that it wouldn't fall all over the room.

"Night is when I think about dying. That's what I'm doing now, after midnight in the quiet hospital."

It didn't take long to see why Shari's students have been enthusiastically turning each other on to FADE TO BLACK since its arrival in the classroom in January. Central to the story is a hate crime involving a baseball bat and the shattered windows of an occupied automobile. There is a victim, Alex Crusan, a HIV-positive high school student whose family recently moved from Miami to the small town of Pinedale. There is a witness, Daria, a fellow high school student with Down Syndrome. Then there is a football player, also from Pinedale High, Clinton Cole. We learn quickly from Clinton himself that he'd thrown a rock through a window of the Crusan house the night before. Did Clinton also, as Daria tells police, attack Alex's car when Alex was stopped at a red light early on the morning of October 27th?

What Alex Flinn does so well here is to create three realistic and complex teen characters, all of whom have some secrets. She also writes so articulately about the elephant in the room: the continued fear and ignorance in America surrounding HIV and AIDS.

" 'They told us before he came here that you couldn't get sick, just being near him. But I don't believe it for a minute. I mean, what if he cuts himself? He doesn't have those purple, blotchy things you always see on people with AIDS on TV. But still, there's all these molecules and particles and things, junk in the air. And what about dust mites?' I remember once, they told us in science class that dust is all people's skin and junk. Excuse me, but I don't want that guy's skin particles on me."

In an exceptional article, "How a Young Adult Novelist Researches," published in VOYA and accessible online at http://pdfs.voya.com/VO/YA2/VOYA200412AuthorTalk.pdf , Alex discusses a 2003 Minnesota AIDS Project study "in which researchers found that 43 percent of those surveyed did not know or were uncertain about whether HIV could be transmitted through a cough or a sneeze, and 38 percent did not know or were uncertain whether it could be transmitted from a toilet seat." Having done her homework, the author creates a consistent tone throughout the book that is revealing of the myths and the reality and how students are affected by them.

"All the days
after,
he said hi
just hi
and I
liked him."

Alex Flinn has been steadily gaining a reputation among adolescents for creating high interest, realistic YA fiction that incorporates issues that matter to them. FADE TO BLACK will continue the spread of that reputation. I've got a dismantled ARC as testimony of that.

Loved it!
I'm a huge fan of alex flinn's books, and this one def. does not disappoint.It's a little different from her other books because its in 3 viewpoints about the same thing.I really liked how Daria's sections were told in poetry showing how she thinks.If you read the review below, I'd be really curious how carefully this person read the book because he/she says she was waiting for 2 characters to get together and talk and they didn't, but I can't imagine which characters this person means.The whole book, I was waiting for Alex and Clinton to talk and when they did it was really great.There was also a really good ending with Alex and Jennifer.In the whole it was a really good and satisfying book.Definitely recommend!

Okay, I Guess
This book was pretty okay, and I love to read books about people with AIDS and the things that they go through. I even got my parents to take me to a local show of Angels in America. I just thought that the characters were not very well developped, especially the girl who is mentally retarded. I also kept waiting for two important characters to meet and have a conversation and they never did. I think this book was kind of rushed.

Absolute Masterpiece!!!!!
This book is an absolute masterpiece. It shuold be required reading for all middle school or high school students, as well as teachers for those age groups. Does an excellent job dealing will hate crimes, prejudice, and hatred. Anyone reading this should be able to realize no matter how different we feel we or others are; we are far more alike than we would ever imagine.

Question your first impressions
Here's the story. It's really easy to follow. Alex Crusan, the new kid in town, is HIV-positive. Everyone at school avoids him, especially semi-popular jock Clinton Cole. One morning on his way to get donuts, Alex is attacked. Someone in a blue letterman's jacket bashes in the windshield of Alex's car with a baseball bat, injuring Alex in the attack. Daria Bickell, special ed student, sees Clinton at the scene. The answer is obvious: Clinton attacked Alex.

At least, the answer seems obvious.

As Alex, Clinton and Daria tell the story of the attack from their own points of view, we learn more about the events leading up to the attack and how their lives change after it. Alex makes the acquaintance of Jennifer, who turns out to be his friend for all the wrong reasons. He also decides to come clean about two major cover-ups in his life. Clinton faces trouble at home as well as at school. Daria, caught between what she knows and wanting to please her mother, reveals her side slowly, always concerned with doing the right thing.

As the saying goes, "There are two sides to every story, and somewhere in between, there is the truth." In this case, there are three sides to the story, and they're all handled very well. Clinton, though known for his bullying, is not an evil character without chance of redemption. Alex, tired of his family playing him for the innocent victim, grows up a lot in the ten days between the day of the accident and the day he returns to school.

Alex Flinn is the queen of writing troubled yet multidimensional teens, and she doesn't disappoint with FADE TO BLACK. Read it, and question all your first impressions.

--- Reviewed by Carlie Webber
... Read more

Book Description

Chan Kim has never felt like an outsider in his life. That is, not until his family moves from L.A. to a tiny town in Minnesota--Land of 10,000 Lakes--and probably 10,000 hicks,too. The Kims are the only Asian family in town, and when Chan and his twin sister, Young, attend high school, it's a blond-haired, blue-eyed whiteout.

Chan throws himself into the only game in town--football--and the necessary roughness required to make a player. On the field it means "justifiable violence," but as Chan is about to discover, off the field it's a whole different ballgame . . .Chan Jung Kim has always been popular. But that was when he lived in L.A. and was the star of his soccer team. Now his family’s moved—to a tiny town in Minnesota, where football’s the name of the game and nobody has ever seen an Asian American family before. Desperate to fit in, Chan throws himself into the game—but he feels like an outsider. For the first time in his life, he finds himself thinking about what it really means to be Korean—and what is really important. By turns gripping, painful, funny, and illuminating, Necessary Roughness introduces a major new talent and a fresh young voice to the Harper list.

1997 Best Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
1998 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)Chan Jung Kim has always been popular. But that was when he lived in L.A. and was the star of his soccer team. Now his family’s moved—to a tiny town in Minnesota, where football’s the name of the game and nobody has ever seen an Asian American family before. Desperate to fit in, Chan throws himself into the game—but he feels like an outsider. For the first time in his life, he finds himself thinking about what it really means to be Korean—and what is really important. By turns gripping, painful, funny, and illuminating, Necessary Roughness introduces a major new talent and a fresh young voice to the Harper list.

1997 Best Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
1998 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA) ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A real excellent book
The book Necessary Roughness, by Marie G. Lee, is a really great book. In fact it's the best book I've read. Two Korean teens who live in LA are forced to move to a small town in Minnesota, which is primary white. They are go through a lot of obstacles, including racism, etc. Chan, who is 16, is talked into joining the football team. At first he didn't like the idea until he tried it. He was made the kicker of the team, as well as playing many other positions. Near the end of the football season something bad happens but I won't tell you what ,so if you want to know just read this awesome book.

Good Book-What you're looking for...
If you're looking for a book that will grab your interests and keep you entertained while you're bored, this is it. Necessary Roughness deals with racism, prejudice, school, teenager years of a 16 year old Korean boy name Chan Kim. Chan moves from LA where he enjoys his culture/heritage, to Minnesota where it is full of white people and his family was the only Asian Family in town. This book has some surprises and suspense going but there was only min. racism, i thought he was the only asian kid in town along with his twin sister? There has to be more racism than that. The book has kinda moves from one problem Chan deals with to another without totally clearing it up..but overall its still a good book, if you're asian or football fan..its good to know you can relate to this book.

one of my favs 2
i am from MN, too and i was lucky enough to meet the author at a booksigning, she is so cool. this book of hers is my favorite, she somehow made you really care for the characters like they were real people. i think i will read more of her books now. get this one, though, i highly recomend it.

one of my favs.
necessary roughness is about chan kim. he moves from LA to a small town minnesota. he was a star soccer player but moves to a town where they there is no one plays soccer and everone plays football and he decides to give it a try. this book is one of my favorite books and marie g. lee is one of my fav. authors. it shows the stuggles he encounter like racism, making new friends and his parents rule about dating. i am from minnesota and i am korean so i can relate to this book. you should read it.

This book rocks!
I had to read this book for a class and normally I don't like to read books, but this one rocks. I even cried. I won't tell you what happens tho and ruin your surprise. But the book tells you a lot of things about life. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Lonesome Pine
I read the book, The Lonesome Pine by Jane West. This book is about a Christmas tree that turns into a beautiful book. I enjoyed this book because the pictures were incredible, and the author put great descriptions, used her imagination and put lots of thought into this book.
The illustrater, Monique Luijan-Bakerink made extroardinary pictures done in patel and paints. She made light fluffy colors. The illustrater definetly read the book before drawing the pictures because they looked exactly loke the descriptions the author put in the story.
I think that the author put great thought into this book before writing it. Some of the topics in this book are hard to understand and probobly took this author many hours to think it up.
The author showed great talent by showing incredible imagination. This book has many imaginatinary topics.
Jane West is a great author and I would like to thank her some day.
So, if youn want to read a great book by an excellent author, read the Lonesome Pine.

White Socks Only
I read this story to my students and were saddened by the events that took place but learned a valuable lesson! We are all equal no matter which color or race we are! A good book for children to learn that racism through the eyes of a little girl.

Excellent children's book on prejudice
"White Socks Only" takes place in segregated Mississippi and does an excellent job of helping young children realize how foolish it is to judge others by the color of their skin. On a hot Mississippi day, a young African-American girl walks into town and stops at a drinking fountain to get a drink. She sees a "Whites Only" sign on the drinking fountain and misinterprets the meaning of the sign. She innocently thinks the sign must mean "White Socks Only", so she takes off her black, Sunday best shoes and steps up to the fountain wearing her clean white socks. Suddenly, an angry white man pushes her to the ground. Soon other African-Americans gather around the fountain. To show their support and understanding of the child's innocent mistake, one by one they also take off their shoes and step up to get a drink with red, yellow, or blue socks. She is rescued by the "Chicken Man," who has very unusual powers.

This book deals with the issue of racism in a way that young children can relate to and understand because it makes the idea of judging people by the color of their skin almost as foolish as judging people by the color of their socks. I read this book to my fifth grade class and it generated some wonderful discussions about racism, and treating others with respect and kindness regardless of who they are, where they live, the color of their skin, or what clothes they wear. I highly recommend this book.

An important book for young children
I read this book to my children and they loved it. Even at their ages - 7 and 8 - they clearly understood the irony of the title. This story gives children a front-row view of how ugly prejudice is, but does so in a gentle enough manner that it is appropriate for young ones. ... Read more

Book Description

It was the 1960s, the time of the Vietnam War."Bullet" Tillerman, the school track star, had to decide if he would go to fight or stay on the family farm.Bullet's father, who had already driven Bullet's older brother and sister out of the house, made impossible demands on him.And his mother seemed to have lost the will to resist the old man.Meanwhile, at school, a black student joined the track team, forcing Bullet to question his own prejudices.But nothing would keep him from running.Nothing.

... Read more

Reviews (36)

One of the finest books ever written
Cynthia Voigt is one of the best writers we have today; the only reason she hasn't won Pulitzers and National Book Awards is that she writes for young adults, and most critics can't imagine any writer for that audience producing anything of literary merit. "The Runner" is the book I'd show anybody who ever put down young adult novels. By Cynthia Voigt's own estimation, "The Runner" is her best novel. She's right. I first read the novel five years ago; since then, I've taught it almost thirty times in that period of time, and it just keeps getting better. Every semester, some student points out some corner of the novel I'd missed. "The Runner" tackles serious subjects in a serious way: racism, war, growing up, friendship, principles, parental conflicts. Each and every one of these issues is dealt with thoroughly and seamlessly in the life of Bullet Tillerman, Dicey's uncle. My students love the rebellious Bullet; they are aghast when they realize he's a racist. They read with absolute fascination to find out what happens next. The novel's cast of characters are unique and original: Bullet's father and mother, his best friend Patrice, and his teammate Tamer are unforgettable. This is a novel that I think will come to be remembered as the best novel ever written for young adults, but even more, one of the finest novels of the last 50 years.

Boy, oh boy
The first thing that came to mind when I read this book was that Voigt certainly has an unusual style. Voigt does have a knack of creating strong, addictive plots, and of course providing the unique, unforgettable characters to see the plot through. But till now, Voigt's most complex and unique character lies in "The Runner" -- Samuel / Bullet Tillerman. Reading about him sends you into a whirl. Bullet is a strong-willed, stubborn and hot-headed youth. He lives by his own rules , and that includes his domineering father, his prejudices towards the 'coloured' community,his love for cross-country running, and even his opinions towards the draft (This story was set at the time of the Vietnam Civil War). Having a mind of his own, Bullet finds himself really different, in his opinions and his thinking , and in the way he behaves. It's really simple, Bullet lives his life the way he wants to , and nobody can stop him. Nobody can make that change. Voigt's bold descriptions flesh out the characters in this book perfectly, especially Bullet. Voigt also tells this tale in a wildly original way. She sets her opinions down in this book, and argues about them at the same time. She pretty much covers up all the aspects of the issues she tackles in this book, which include family ties, teenage rebellion, racism, politics and war. In a way, she's arguing with the readers, challenging them to think, to look at matters in a different light. Voigt really understands young adults, I'll give her that much. This book has a tangy and refreshing aftertaste, and it is a must-read for all young adults and all parents who really want to understand their kids. "The Runner" is wonderfully entertaining, making education through this book outrageously fun. Trust me, Voigt only produces books of the finest quality.

LOVE IT!
I have read many many books by Ms. Voigt. She is a very complex writer. It's obvious that she's experienced some of the things she writes about herself. She doesn't write with the viewpoint of many authors, treating kids like they have more to learn. Her main characters are almost always kids, and she simply tells things through the character's eyes, not her own eyes. I love this book, and all the others. However, I suggest reading Homecoming, Dicey's Song, and A Solitary Blue before taking on this one.

Slow but meaningful
At first I had a bit of trouble getting into the book. I had read Dicey's song and loved it so I wanted to read the rest of the Tillerman series. At one point I thought of giving up since it seemed like Bullet veiws of life were too angery and I couldn't relate, at other times I also questioned my interest in the story being told. I however kept going and I really liked the second half. It was nice how Bullet had to go through and rediscover himself! He had to ask himself is this really what I believe? In this way I believe Bullet matured and came to a better understanding about life and his values. I also enjoyed him going past the prejustice to find the person(Tamer). Read the book if you want to know what I am talking about!

One Of the Best From Voigt
If you have read the begining of the Tillerman series you know the true end to this book, it also clarrifys many things about the first books in the series.

Of All of the Tillerman books this was by far my favorite. Through Bullet's quiet and reserved nature you learn new things about yourself and about how you trully view others. The story starts slow but as I neared the end of this book I could not put it down. Bullet, Abaigail and Tamer become so real to you as you read. I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick good read and for anyone who questions, as a teenager, how they view other races/classes.

An amazing novel for teens and adults alike... ... Read more

Amazon.com

The evacuation of Jews from Nazi-held Denmark is one of the great untold stories of World War II. On September 29, 1943, word got out in Denmark that Jews were to be detained and then sent to the death camps. Within hours the Danish resistance, population and police arranged a small flotilla to herd 7,000 Jews to Sweden. Lois Lowry fictionalizes a true-story account to bring this courageous tale to life. She brings the experience to life through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johannesen, whose family harbors her best friend, Ellen Rosen, on the eve of the round-up and helps smuggles Ellen's family out of the country. Number the Stars won the 1990 Newbery Medal. ... Read more

Reviews (501)

NL-S Approved Book
Lois Lowry's book, Number the Stars, is the second best book about the Holocaust that I have ever read. This book is about Annemarie Johansen's family trying to help Ellen Rosen's family get away from the German Nazis. On the way to her uncle's boat, Annemarie is stopped by two Nazis and is late to deliver a special package. The Rosens are brought safely to Sweden where they could live without having to worry about the Nazis.

I relate to Ellen Rosen in several ways. One way is that I am part Jewish and my family went through the Holocaust. Annnemarie's family helped them to escape to freedom and some family helped mine escape. Another way I relate to Ellen is that by the description of her personality and ways, we are kind of the same.

I felt this book helped me to see what was actually happening during the Holocaust. I have read this book many times other the last several years of my life, realizing more and more what actually happened. The way Lois describes the setting really helps you visualize the scenes. She describes her scenes with easy understandable words and life like similes. I recommend this book to teenagers but anyone could read it because it is easy to understand and easy to follow. If you like books on the history of the world, read this book because it is a very good reference to the Holocaust.

Number the Stars
Remarkable, intense and suspenseful are just three of millions of words that describe this book. The book has a groundbreaking plot and keeps you in suspense after every chapter. Read Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. This story depicts a struggle between a brave girl named, Annemarie, trying to help her best friend, a courageous girl, Ellen, a Jewish neighbor. This touching book takes place in the year 1943 when Annemarie and Ellen are fighting for freedom from the Nazi soldiers in Copenhagen, Denmark. When the soldiers invade Annemarie's house, Ellen was disguised as Lise,Annemarie's older sister. Will the soldiers find out who Ellen really is? Lois Lowry wrote very simply, but is very well organized. She keeps you in suspense after every chapter. Read this book and you will find yourself sitting at the edge of your seat. Will Annmarie help Ellen and her family escape the Nazi soldiers?

History lesson in an exciting form
As Hitler secretly prepared to round up all the Jews of Denmark, someone (to this day no one knows who, although there are some theories) warned the government. The result is that almost all of the 7,500 Jewish people living in Denmark managed to escape the country in the space of a few days, even though the country was already under the occupation of watchful Nazi troops.

This book is about that escape. Annmarie is 10 years old and lives in the same appartment building as her best friend, Ellen, who is Jewish. One day, Ellen's parents must flee and Ellen moves in with Annmarie and pretends to be her dead sister. Annmarie, her parents, and her little sister must band together with the rest of the Danish resistance to get Ellen to safety.

This is an exciting, fast-paced book about bravery and doing what's right. The characters are very realistic and human. This is an inspiring story for any child, and it teaches a very interesting history lesson to any adult who might not know the story of how practically no Danish Jews died under Hitler.

girls in a really hard place to be
This book is exciting and scary. To think girls really had to llive like this is sad but it is a good book. I liked the way they took in the girl to stay with them and the way a girl had to do something scary to try and save her firend form the nazis. If you like this book you will also maybe like other books about girls in hard places to be like Camp of the angel and the bears house as well as pictures of hollis woods.

Cool Book!!! Ever!!!
This is a great book it is funny at some parts, but the rest is all sad. I think it is so cool at every part!!! Ithink everyone should read this book!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

See How the Rest of the World Lives
I thought this was a great book. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. The characters are well-drawn, especially Joe and Luisa. The ending is quite suspenseful. The situations are thought-provoking. This is one of the best multicultural books I have ever read. I recommend it highly, especially for every American kid who feels deprived because they don't have enough. ... Read more

Book Description

Sonny's been an outsider all his life.

He has never fit into either world: the Moscondagas on the Reservation see him as white; whites see him as Indian. So far, Sonny's managed to harness his anger -- what he calls "the monster" -- in the boxing ring. But Sonny wants out of the Res. He's headed for New York City, where nobody can tell him what to do.

Sonny doesn't count on stepping into the middle of a drug war when he gets there -- or on tangling with a tough Harlem boxer-turned-cop named Alfred Brooks. Brooks seems to think that Sonny's got the talent to make it to the top -- to be a contender. But first Sonny's got to learn to be smart, take control of his life, and beat the monster. Only it isn't as easy as it sounds....

Reviews (10)

Native American Boy Learns about Life in New York
The Brave is a story about native American boy who wants to be a boxer. He also wants to find his mother. He goes to New York to do both, but gets distracted by two hustlers. I think it was a good story, but it left a lot of things unanswered. It had too many loose ends and never said what happened to a lot of characters. A good book ties everything up. I think a lot of people would like this story. It is a good book if you like to read about boxing, native Americans, or anything else.

The Book You Will Remeber for a lifetime November 09,2001
This book is awesome! I am the kind of person who hates to read. I usually stop reading books whenever I can, but I couldn't put this book down. I am almost tempted to go check out the book and read it again just for the heck of it. The title is not very catchy THE BRAVE. I mean come on who wants to read a book with that kind of a title, but dont let that discourage you. This book is about a boxer named Sonny Bear who lives on a reservation near Sparta.

Sonny somehow winds up in the middle of a big crack war in New York City. Then Sonny meets Brooks and Spoon which are his key to the heavyweight title. So if you want to see if Sonny becomes the heavyweight champ you will have to go read the book for yourself.

the best book
This book is superb this is better than any other book I have ever read. It is about a kid named sonny that loves to box he want to find his mother in the big city, once he is there he finds two hustlers that take his wallet then a undercover cop try's to get one but sonny nails him with a hook. So the hustlers get him a place to live then Sonny somehow winds up in the middle of a big crack war in New York City that is driving him crazy and all he wants to do is try to see his mother.

IF U DONT READ IT YOU WOULD REGET IT.

The Brave = Good Book!
The book that I chose to read was titled The Brave by Robert Lipsyte. This book

was really good and I enjoyed it. To be honest it was the best book I read in a

while. People that are into action, drama, a little comedy, etc, should really check it out.

You will get caught up in it and you will not wan't to stop reading. The Brave is very

good on giving descriptions and telling how it relates to reality. Especially when

racism is involved. The story revolves around Sunny, a half American, half Indian

struggling to stay alive in the world. This story shows just how Sunny stays alive and

how he searches for his mother on the way. The one good thing about Sunny is his

boxing skills. He doesn't like the enviroment that he is in while he was boxing, so he

moved away from the racist people to New York gainning more trouble there than he did

back home. This book has everything that someone could want in a story including

action,fighting, drama, etc. This is a very good written story and has very good details

within the story. Robert Lipsyte is a very talented author who has quite a bit of respect

from me now that I have read his work. Even though this is a great book there still are

some weaknesses within the plot. Sometimes the author changes the position of the story

so fast that it is hard to tell. An example is when Sunny and his friend Doll are in the pizza

place and then it says he is in the store that was across the street earlier on, and it made

me get somewhat confused and have to go back and re-read what had happend. The Brave

is a book that I can't stop talking about and I hope that every book fan goes and checks

this out.

Review of The Brave !
This book The Brave is awesome coming from having a boxing background myself,it's one of a kind .
I usually read this book in class whenever I get a chance, but I really couldn't put this book down after class, i sign a book out of the library for my dorm room to read went there nothing to do an i'm not tried.
I would like to read the brave again this book is great and reading it again for the heck of it would be a trill.
By looking at the title THE BRAVE i was skecptical i didn't know what to expect at first an amost look over it but i am glad i didn't i missed out on alot of good books in my day but this one found it's way to me.
I mean really who would wants to read a book with the brave as a title, hey don't let me discourage you Robert but i know he was a indian but if it was for the cover a would of though this was a war book.
This book is about a 17 year old boxer named Sonny Bear who live in a indian reservation near Sparta but go to New York to prosue a boxing career but also wants to find his mother trying to make his way of life better thought boxing, but as in life he take some wrong turns and some right one but you will have to read it to find out. ... Read more

Book Description

Jeremy Simms watches from the porch of the general store as the passengers board the weekly bus from Jackson. When several white passengers arrive late, the driver roughly orders the black passengers off to make room. Then, in the driving rain, disaster strikes, and Jeremy witnesses a shocking end to the day's drama. Set in Mississippi in the 1930s, this is a gripping story of racial injustice.

"Taylor, a powerful storyteller, again combines authentic incidents to create a taut plot....Her cry for justice always rings true."--Kirkus Reviews

"A powerful story about the segregated South of the 1930s."--Publishers Weekly ... Read more

Reviews (14)

When Whites were Slaves to Prejudice
Taylor's grim novella of Depression tragedy highlights the gross racial injustice rampant in rural Mississippi. Narrated by a decent and likeable white boy, the simple storyline proves both painful and powerful. Ten-year-old Jeremy is mostly a passive spectator, observing the subtle and flagrant ways that whites treat free blacks. He notices the mixed crowd of travelers who are waiting for the bus from Jackson, but on this rainy day there are more folks who want to ride than seats.

How does the arrogant bus driver handle this situation? Wading visually
through the heavy dialect readers quickly enter a dark world
of the deep South's shameful past. Despite his Pa's vicious temper and belligerent attitude toward black people, Jeremy's behavior serves as a moral bridge between the feuding races. Can one small boy show his elders the way to true social democracy? Because it is chapterless this lttle book rushes headlong towards its dramatic catastrophe, but who is to blame--if any person or race is? Can centuries of social discrimination and exploitation be avenged or expunged in one natural disaster? A riveting read.

Mississippi Bridge is one of Mildred Taylor's finest books.
Mississippi Bridge is a prequel to Taylor's other novelsabout the Logan family. This time, however, the reader is treatedto the viewpoint of Jeremy Simms, the shy and sensitive white boy who sees in the Logan family everything that is missing in his own. Taylor captures not only the bite of prejudice in depression era Mississippi, but shows its effect on the lives of those who reject prejudice. Taylor cleverly weaves a story in which a tragic accident clearly dispenses a bittersweet justice in that world of prejudice without taking away the reader's sympathy for the victims.

A+ 100% Book!!!!
This is a story about how black people were treated differently than white people. The white people didn't treat the black people nicely. Black people had jobs being slaves for the white people. In the 1930's if black people wanted to ride the bus they had to sit in the back. If there were a lot of white people wanting to ride the bus the black people would get kicked off the bus.
I think that it is interesting that the white adults didn't feel like being around the black people, but their children didn't notice the color of their skin.
I fyou like stories about history you will like reading this book.
Josias was one of the main characters and he lived the story. The bus that the white people kicked off the black people was going down the bridge and went off into the river. Josias went down and started to try to save the people in the bus. A little girlthat Josias brought up was dead. No one survived on the bus even though they did everything that they could.
If I was a teacher on the book I would give it an A+ 100%.

Great Book, Disappointing ending
I always enjoy reading Mildred D. Taylor books, and Mississippi Bridge was no exception. It was to short for my liking, but it was an excellent book. Taylor writes from the perspective of Jeremy Simms, a white boy, which is different from most of her books, which are usually told from the perspective of the african-american Logan family.
Mississippi Bridge descibes the unfairness of racial prejudice in the south, and how it backfired on some of the people who commited it. A swollen creek, a rickety bridge, and an out of control bus turn into a disaster. The book then ends with Jeremy, his african-american friend Josias, and others pulling people out of the water. It ends here, and kills the quality of the book. It seems like Taylor wanted a cup of Starbucks more than the importance of answering the questions I and most likely other readers are asking. This was a disappointing ending to an otherwise excellent book.

Taylor has wowed me again!
I am simply facinated by the Logan series that Mildred D. Taylor has created. Born and raised in Mississippi, I have seen first hand the actions that Taylor writes about. I share the books with my students. I plan to read this one next week. I can't wait. Mississippi Bridge gives us a look into the character Jeremy Simms. The story is one of pride and human nature. This story, along with Taylor's others, is an excellent teaching tool. Children of all ages can learn from our past mistakes through these touching and true to life stories. I highly recommend ANY and ALL of the Logan series books! ... Read more

Book Description

For the millions who care about Timothy and young Phillip -- for all those who want to know more of Timothy's life before his fateful meeting with young Phillip and what happened to Phillip after he was rescued from the tiny island...

Two young men. Two dreams. Their lives intersect on a tiny cay for three months, when one is over seventy and the other is only eleven. One of them died there. The other was forever changed by his encounter with the first.