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Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780439272001
ISBN number: 0439272009
Label: Scholastic Paperbacks
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 168
Printing Date: March 01, 2003
Publishing house: Scholastic Paperbacks
Age index: Ages 9-12
Sale Popularity Level: 28885
Studio: Scholastic Paperbacks
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
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.
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 very 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 discusion 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
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Rated by buyers 
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The witness is irresistible it is packed with action. It is about a little grey girl and a jewish girl that are in this little town in Vermont when the KKK come to town. As the bystanders of the town watch as their town crumbles. But in the end the bystanders become the heroes. The witness is a great book to do a book report on. Karen Hesse won the New berry Award for her book "Out of the dust." The witness was written for Jean Feiwel . I recommend this book to students in 6th, 7th, and [...] because it is perfect for a book report. This book is historical fiction. I strongly recommend this book!
Rated by buyers -
The witness is irresistible it is packed with action. It is about a little grey girl and a jewish girl that are in this little town in Vermont when the KKK come to town. As the bystanders of the town watch as their town crumbles. But in the end the bystanders become the heroes. The witness is a great book to do a book report on. Karen Hesse won the New berry Award for her book "Out of the dust." The witness was written for Jean Feiwel . I recommend this book to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade because it is perfect for a book report. This book is historical fiction. I strongly recommend this book!
Rated by buyers 
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[...]
How would you like to live in where the KKK is like Leona and Ester had to when they were young? That was in 1924.In the book Witness by Karen Hesse, the blacks and Jews were aware of the KKK and watching there backs closely. Mr. Harish gets shot by KKKmember and dies. Ester, Mr. Harish' daughter could have got killed to if she was leaning back a little because she was sitting on her fathers lap. I can't tell you if any one else dies because of the KKK. If you're in to historical fiction you would like this book.
[...]
Rated by buyers -
In discussing the subject of Hate with my eighth grade students, I use WITNESS as an introduction to this difficult topic because of its brilliant subtleties that infuse the subject with multiple perspectives that tells a complete story. Highly reminiscent of the adult play THE LARAMIE PROJECT (which tells the story of Matthew Shepherd -- the young gay man who died after being beaten to death tied to a fence post in Wyoming), the two stories work together to weave a portrait of America that is harsh, cruel, hateful, sad and ugly, but lead to a greater Hope, where justice, clear-headedness and a deep sense of humanity will prevail.
WITNESS wisely puts the voice of the story into different characters: the innocent, the wise, the evil, the confused, the bystander, the individual whose feelings and opinions are affected by the events and people around him/her -- an individual who is tested, and passes.
Do not hesitate in introducing this book to middle- and high-school students. Discuss it with them and let them see the pain and disgusting nature of humankind. Let them discover that humankind can come to its senses and redeem itself from the terrible injustices it serves up. High school students who can handle some pretty harsh language can then move onto THE LARAMIE PROJECT and experience a similar feeling dealing with an real-life incident of Hate and its repercussions, but in modern terms.
The book (perfect as reader's theatre in the classroom) is recommended at the highest level. Excellent storytelling in a pitch perfect form.
Rated by buyers -
This is a really good book.As I was reading this book I felt as if I was in the Vermont town. It showed me that not everyone agreed with the ku klux klan and that they sometimes they had to had to join even though they really didn't agree.
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