The+Help

=//The Help// comments=



Although I thought //The Help// had a slow beginning, once I got past page 50, I found this book very hard to put down. Set during the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi, this book explored the obvious problems and tensions during the Civil Rights Movement in depth through the three very different persepectives of Miss Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny. While each one of these women was strong in her own way from the beginning of the story, one can't help but feel as if the women continued to grow stronger throughout the book as each one continued to learn from each other. The bravery required on all three women's parts, whether it be telling the stories about their white bosses or writing and collecting the stories into one book, is truly inspiring. The prevailing issues revealed in //The Help// can also be applied to today's time, with people rejecting their closest friends or others they don't even know because they don't comform to the kind of person they "ought to be," such as the case in the book with Miss Hilly and Elizabeth turning their backs to Miss Skeeter when discovering she supported civil rights or with Miss Hilly in general never giving Celia Foote a chance to make friends in Jackson. In my opinion, //The Help// is a great story in addition to the great insight it reveals about the varying sentiments during the Civil Rights Movement, and I highly recommend everyone to read it. -Jaclyn Speer

When I first received //The Help// I was really nervous because of it's great length. I figured that it would be hard to get through because it was so long. However I was incredibly wrong. This book was amazing and very enlightening. The story tells the point of view of the help, the black woman to took care of the white ladies during the 1960's in Jackson Mississippi. There were many points made by this book. One of the most important thing that was a subtle was that as she was telling the story of these three black woman was that her friends turned against her. She started to experience for herself what these three woman and beyond them felt every day. This was interesting because it showed how strong the racism was in the South during this time. This lady was just telling a story and her friends turned against her. The Help was one of the best books I have ever read. It introduced me to an era before my time, and put it in terms that made an era easy to grasp. By putting this book in a new perspective, she changed my knowledge of the past and expanded it. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. -Christine Ihrke

-Before I had even considered reading The Help, I had already come across it many a time lying in a beach chair at Seabrook or on the best-seller shelf at the book store. My mother often came home and told me that I should read this book that she had bought called 'The Help' that all of her friends were talking about, but I had already started Cloud Atlas, which I honestly couldn't stand. But what really kept me away was the length of the book, it's like 4 hundred and something pages long! I finally switched and got over the length issue, and I am so glad I did. Really, The Help was so captivating and moving that it didn't take me but a week to read. The story starts off with Aibileen, a middle aged house maid who works for the Leefolts, taking care of their house and watching over their little girl, Mae Mobley. By the second or third page you can already tell that there is something amiss in the Leefolt household. Miss Elizabeth Leefolt does not know what to do with her own child when Aibileen arrives for her first day of work; Mae Mobley won't stop crying, and Miss Leefolt obviously has no idea what she's doing. And with Aibileen being bound by her work, she cant say that Miss Leefolt is doing wrong by not mothering her own child. That's just the way it has to be for a black maid in the south in the 1960's, she cant go and get tangled up in the business of white people. Minny, Aibileen's best friend and fellow maid, has a different opinion on the matter, with her letting her mouth loose on her white people all the time and saying what she feels about them. Even though Minny is arguably the best cook in Jackson, Mississippi, she has lost job after job due to her temper and her tongue. At the beginning of the book she was working for Miss Walter, who was the mother of the infamous Hilly Holbrook, who was best friends with Elizabeth Leefolt. Hilly could really destroy a maid if she wanted to, if she had something against them. Every maid feared her, and if she ever began talking about any of them negatively it could be a serious threat to one's job and one's family. Hilly and Elizabeth also have another best friend, Miss Skeeter. Skeeter's dreams of becoming a famous writer and her questions about the treatment of black service people lead her to start writing a book of interviews to describe what it was like for a black maid living in the deep south in the 1960's. This sets the three women - Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter - on a mission to reveal the truth about the awful treatment of blacks and black service people before and during the Civil Rights Movement. The Help was an amazing read and was hard to put down once I got into it. The narrator changes kept the book flowing, so I never got tired of it. Given the chance and the time I would gladly read it again. The Help was moving and meaningful, and I would gladly recommend this to anyone looking for a good read. -Kendall Keener-

I figured I would enjoy //The Help,// having heard great reviews from friends and adults alike. I did not realize, however, just how captivating and inspiring I would find the book. Kathryn Stockett transports her reader into the story, set in the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi, during the Civil Rights Movement. //The Help// is written through the perspective of 3 different females. The first is Aibeleen, an African-American maid in her fifties, who looks after the children of white families, but is faced with the hardship of losing her own child, Treelore. The second, another African-American maid named Minny, who can't seem to hold a job, or her tongue, and has five children and an abusive husband she must support. And the third, a wealthy, white girl named Skeeter, straight out of college, who deals with an overbearing mother who chides her constantly about finding a husband. As I read the book, I felt as if I really got to know all of the characters. Another great thing about //The Help//, is that Kathryn Stockett never let it get dull or boring, which was a pleasant surprise in such a lengthy book. At the end of the book, I felt inspired by the courage and audacity of these women, who went against the norm and stood up for their beliefs, even though they knew there could be grave consequences. Kathryn Stockett's story is charming and engaging, and Aibeleen, Minny, and Skeeter are positive role models and inspirations for girls and women everywhere. I can say without hesitation that //The Help// is one of my favorite books. -Camilla Baker

Even though I am not much of a fan of lengthy books, I can definitely say I really enjoyed The Help. This book really captures the fictional lives of three women living in the 1960's, during the time of the Civil Rights Movement. I really liked how Skeeter convinces many women throughout the novel to tell their stories, which eventually led to the book that influences many people thereafter. Almost a story within a story, The Help tells the same story to its readers as did the characters did to the rest of the world. Kathryn Stockett really wrote this book in a very clever and captivating way. This is a book in which I would definitely recommend. -Katie McNeill

When this book was first recommended to me, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it or not. I immediately noticed that it was 444 pages, and it seemed incredibly dull. However, I was proven wrong when I completed the first chapter. Not only is The Help

incredibly interesting, but also very eye opening. Kathryn Stockett does a remarkable job of getting a point across, while keeping her audience entertained. The Help

portrays the life of women in the south during times of racism and civil rights. Having been set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960’s, it clearly shows all of the hardships that these women had to endure. My favorite aspect of Kathryn Stockett’s writing is the way that she split up the chapters. By using three different points of views, you are allowed to experience many different opinions and stories. Each chapter had its own purpose and meaning. My personal favorite chapters were the ones that included Miss Skeeter’s life, especially when she mentioned Stuart Whitworth. Also, Minny’s attitude and Aibileen’s bravery are contributing factors to why this book is simply intriguing. All in all, I am very pleased with my choice to read The Help

, and I would safely say that it is one of my all time favorite books.

-Julia McAvoy

If too many people like something, there’s bound to be a problem with it. That’s an elitist attitude, I know, but let’s face it: //The Blind Side// is not that good a movie. //The Help//, though, is a very good book, its popularity notwithstanding. I didn’t think Kathryn Stockett could pull it off; the very idea of her novel is audacious and pretty easily conjures up elements of condescension. And that she, a white woman, assumes not one but two African-American personas is even bolder, but give credit to her bravery and especially to her great care. I don’t know what it was //really// like for anyone back in the 1960s and neither does she (as she herself admits in the epilogue), but the pains she has taken and the sensitivities shown sold me from the start and made me a believer, if not quite of her history, then at least of her talent which is considerable. And best of all, the moral aim of her book is not cloying or too ham-fisted; wisely, she neither spoonfeeds nor preaches, and only occasionally lets slip a reference that’s a bit too forced (to Bob Dylan, to The Rolling Stones, etc). Couched with a lot of finesse, Stockett’s book offers a supplemental literary record of not the violence of well-documented atrocities from the era, but the vileness of everyday human acts that made those crimes and atrocities possible, even prevalent. And it’s from those acts, I think, that we still have the most to learn, for criminals didn’t govern over the segregated South; racists did, and many of them home-owning, tax-paying, voting citizens who abided by the laws their society upheld. Citizens, with domestic help. This novel’s tremendous success is testament to how far we’ve come since those days, but its relevance a sign of how far we can and should still go. One question, though, and for the publishers: Why the songbirds on the cover? Is there a recurring mention of birds? A hidden symbol? Characters “singing” their stories? Maybe I missed something but thematically it seems a stretch. (I wonder what Stockett herself would’ve have put…) Submitted by Childs Smith

The idea of //The Help// intrigued me even before I cracked the front cover. Instead of dealing with facts and figures of the Civil War or documenting the protests of the 1960s Civil Rights movement, Stockett was attempting to portray the intimate details of day to day life for black and white women in the South. Therefore, I entered the book with pure curiosity. And I was very pleasantly surprised. As Stockett introduced me to Aibileen, Skeeter, Mae Mobley, Hilly and the others, I actually felt like I understood the characters. Not to say I in any way supported the actions of all, but I felt in touch with the lives of each character, a feat I admire greatly in any novel. Particularly interesting to me was the dynamic that existed between "the help" and the children of the white families. In fact, this dynamic has not entirely disappeared from society. However, dealing with it specifically from a racial perspective in a very intolerant society added a richness and complexity to the relationship that revealed how these children viewed the world. It seemed to be the children and the promise of a better future that drove Skeeter, Aibileen, Minny, and the other black women to publish their stories. Stockett very aptly communicated the hesitation, fear, and courage of the writers. By writing from various points of view, Stockett could paint a full picture of society, allowing me to understand why each character acted the way she did. No domestic issue was ignored, from bathrooms, to cooking, to child rearing, to cleaning, to familial relationships. White families and black families were compared and contrasted subtly, providing a more well rounded look at each woman's life and the obstacles that existed. I found //The Help// to be an effective societal study within a story, opening our eyes to the ways of the past and providing a framework for us to view the present. (Also, Mr. Smith, I researched literary songbirds in an attempt to understand the cover after reading your comment. The only thing I could come up with was the idea of songbirds in //To Kill a Mockingbird// that symbolized the innocence of the characters, perhaps in this case the children. But I agree, any symbolism is indeed too subtle or stretched.) --Becca Ellison

When I first got //The Help// and saw how many pages there were, I was a bit overwhelmed and uncertain that I would finish the book. When I began reading, I couldn’t concentrate on the book because I was constantly fighting the thoughts of what else I could be doing; therefore I had a difficult time getting started. Once I got into the book, //The Help//, I couldn’t put it down. Kathryn Stockett told the story of what it was like to be the help for white women of Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960’s. Ms. Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny are the three main characters in the book. Ms. Skeeter is a writer who is not afraid to speak her mind. One day, while she was writing a column for the newspaper about how to clean, she got the idea to write a book about the help that was hired by white families and what their lives were like. This was risky and dangerous because she had to sneak to gather details about the help who worked for her friends. Aibileen, who worked for Mrs. Leefolt, was the one who helped Ms. Skeeter get people to tell their stories about what it’s like being the help. While working for Mrs. Leefolt, Aibileen developed a bond with Mrs. Leefolt’s kids, which lead to Mae Mobley calling Aibileen her mom. Minny, who works for Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Celia, is a sassy pregnant woman with an abusive husband and five kids. In the book Minny is faced with being fired a lot for her attitude towards the families she works for, and helping Mrs. Celia go behind her husband's back with all the cooking and cleaning. The most dramatic thing that happened while working with Mrs. Celia was having to help her with her fourth miscarriage. It was very interesting to learn about how families treated their help and how racial people were in a time not that long ago. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read; I love how Kathryn Stockett really captured what it would have been like to be help in the 1960's. I recommend //The Help// to everyone even if you don’t like reading, this is a must read book. ---Beth Hanckel

When I first decided to read //The Help,// I was a little hesitant because of the great length. However, 30 or so pages into this book I realized how captivating it actually was. Although //The Help// appeared to be an intricate attempt at a difficult topic, it was actually a quite easy read. Katherine Stockett was blunt and up front with the issue of racism, telling the story of the lives of three individuals in the 1960s, Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny, the latter two being African American maids, in their own point of views. Stockett, although the complete opposite of these two African American women, managed to take on a voice that fit beautifully with the situation that the women were in. Not only did she achieve that tough road block, but she also was able to take on the voice of a white woman with outspoken, unorthodox views, which was very unique in this time period. Not only did her novel center around racism, but it also included the topic of female empowerment. These three bold women, although scared, faced death and social outcast because of the tough decisions they made to make the lives of themselves and others better. They attempted to change something that was so deeply embedded in the South that it had become something that children thought of as normal at an age as early as 4 years old, as we saw with Aibileen's child that she took care of, Mae Mobley, or as Aibileen called her, "Baby Girl". As Aibileen raised this young girl, she became determined to change things, not wanting Mae Mobley to turn away from her as all the other white children had. Minny was the huge face of female empowerment and was virtually fearless. Her strength and boldness helped the three women attempt to change everything. Skeeter, perhaps the strongest on the inside of all three women, was thrown aside by all of her friends just because of the different views that she had. Even through the pain of rejection, Skeeter never gave up on her views, standing strong the whole way through. Katherine Stockett's novel was amazing and the characters in it were and are truly something to look up to. ---Carter Ellis

When I was contemplating choices to read for the Wiki, many people had recommended //The Help// to me. I had assumed it would be at least somewhat interesting, but not to the point of enjoyment. I was greatly surprised, though, when I began the book, and began to become enraptured quickly. Kathryn Stockett weaves together the stories of many women, white and African American. She based the book on three fictional characters, Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. The story is set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the 1960s, where the white people chose to pretend that difficulties with their house help did not exist. However, it all was very real, particularly to one woman in particular, Miss Skeeter. Her mother was prominent in the community. In the beginning of the book, Miss Skeeter is active in bridge club and social activities with the women who essentially run the community. She then begins to wonder what happened to her beloved maid, Constantine. As she researches this, and finds out what really happened, she becomes astonished at what goes on behind the scenes in her own community. Skeeter becomes concerned and takes matters into her own hands. She begins interviewing maids in the community behind closed doors, and puts together a collection of their stories. One of these maids interviewed was named Aibileen. Aibileen served in a household where she acted as a mother to the children because the employer could not be bothered. Her employer is Ms. Leefolt, whose best friend is Hilly Holbrook, whose mother employed Minny. Hilly likes to think she runs the community. She is fighting for all white households to have a separate bathroom for their colored help, because the colored people "have diseases." Aibileen agrees to helping Miss Skeeter with her book, and also convinces her best friend Minny to help. Minny is notorious for having a smart mouth. She has gone through many different employers in Jackson, and is turned down 19 times when looking for a new job. She finally settles with Celia Foote. Celia is an outcast of sorts in the community, and not aware of the unspoken laws of the women. She is constantly sitting at the same table as Minny, and confiding in Minny. When many of the colored help in the community band together to help Miss Skeeter with her book, a new risk is taken. They could be fired, beaten, or worst of all, killed. Growing up in the South, I can recount numerous stories my grandmother and my father have told me of their household help growing up. This book provided a glimpse into the lives of women who fought for what they believed in. They were courageous and intrepid. These women understood the possible consequences of what they were doing, and believed that their message needed to be told. //The Help// crossed many lines that had never been crossed before, but dealt with a real situation. Stockett did an astonishing job of portraying the real lives of these women and their roles in the community. The novel provides readers much to mull over, and many fine examples of outstanding women. ---Mary Hollis McGreevy

I'm not one of those people who normally read books for fun. Therefore, if I read a book and enjoy it, it must be a really good book. //The Help//, in my opinion, was one of the best books I've ever read. I truely admire Kathryn Stockett in how she is able to capture the essense of her characters. As readers, we feel as if we are living the same experiences the three main characters are feeling through their delimas. The three main characters are Minny, Alibileen, and Skeeter. Each chapter is set up so that it is narrorated in either character's point of view. The setting of the book is in Jackson, Misissippi, during the 1960s. Skeeter has recently graduated from Ole Miss and greatly admires her maid Constantine, who worked in her house. However, Constantine has disapeared and no one will tell her that she has moved to Chicago to be with her white child. Also, Skeeter's mother has had poor health throughout the book and feels as if each day may be her last. On the other hand, Skeeter's mother is still helping Skeeter with scheduling hair appointments, what to wear and what not to wear, and how to eventually get a wedding ring on her finger. Skeeter works for the newspaper, writing the Miss Myra column. Alibileen, the maid of Skeeter's best friend, helps Skeeter answer any of the Miss Myra questions Skeeter can't answer herself. Alibileen has raised a total of 18 white children. The little girl she looks after now she would do anything for because she knows that her mother does not take enough time to show her love. Alibileen's best friend, Minny, has a mind of her own. She is one of the best cooks in Jackson. It has been hard for her to find a job, but she ended up getting hired by a lady who is new in town who has a few secrets of her own. For instance, she did not want her husband to know she had a maid and she has had many miscarraiges, most of which her husband doesn't know about. Some how, the three main characters all come together along with eleven other maids who decide to write a book about the relationships maids have with their employers. The book they worked on was going to be called //Help//. It was an extremely risky move to take during a period of segragration, but they felt that it was their calling. These three women were movtavated and worked hard to reach their goal, forgoing the risk involved. ~Madison McNeill

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In //The Help//, Kathryn Stockett portrays the life of African American maids living in Jackson, Mississippi. This book impressed me after the first chapter. I found it extremely interesting reading the different points of views of Skeeter, Aibleen, and Minny. Skeeter is a young white woman who lives with her parents. Minny is a maid who has trouble keeping jobs, and Aibileen lost her son and raises white kids. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny’s contradicting, yet similar perspectives on their hectic lives. Kathryn Stockett did a truly amazing job describing their lives. While reading this book I felt as if I were one of the characters. I felt sorry for Minny when she couldn’t find a job, I was embarrassed for Skeeter when her mom would make fun of her looks, and lastly I was constantly in fear of what would happen to the twelve maids as they helped Miss Skeeter write her book. Although I ‘ve often heard about racism and prejudice in the south, this book gave me a greater appreciation of how difficult finding work, raising children, and living through prejudice times was for blacks in the south. //The Help// was funny at times, but it was sad seeing how the white people treated the blacks as if they were not even human at times. Miss Skeeter was a bold and courageous woman. It was refreshing to see someone take a stand for their beliefs when everyone else was against them. I liked reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone.===== - Leah Crawford

When choosing the book I was going to read, I had many people suggest reading //The Help// and I can honestly say it was one of the best books I have ever read. Kathryn Stockett did a tremendous job portraying what it was like being “the help” in the 1960’s. Even though she herself was not a maid or cook back then, she made you believe she really did know what it was like. The three characters she created we so different, yet they all had the same views on society and all wanted the same things. For people to understand their help and respect and treat them the same as everyone else. The main characters were Minny, Aibileen, and Skeeter, and the point of view for the book changes between them. Skeeter is a young girl who has just come home, after graduating from Ole Miss with an English degree, to find that her beloved maid, Constantine, was gone. She and Constantine were very close, yet she had no idea what had happened to her and no one would tell her. She lives at home with her parents. Her mother, even in poor health, schedules hair appointments trying to help her find a man to marry. Because of her love of writing she decides to write a book about the African-American women of Jackson, Mississippi, and their experiences working for the white people of the town. This is a big risk for both her and the woman telling their stories, yet they decide this book might help them. She sets herself apart from the other women of the town and becomes the social outcast, but she does not care because she realizes how stereotypical they are. The two maids she writes about first are Aibileen and Minny. She first becomes friends with Aibileen because she writes the Miss Myra column and Aibileen helps her. Aibileen works for Skeeter’s best friend, while Minny has a problem keeping a job, despite her amazing cooking, because of her incessant talking back. Aibileen looks after May-Mobley and then her new baby brother and loves the children like her own. She is always teaching them that all people are the same, the only difference is the skin color, because she does not want them to grow up to be like all the people in the town and assume they are better than others. The woman Minny finally gets a job for has many secrets of her own, like these three women have the secret of the book. She keeps Minny from her husband trying to show him she can cook and clean herself. She trust Minny with all these secrets, yet she does not know Minny’s biggest secret of all. None of the white women do, except Skeeter. These three women work together and become very close friends and with the help of many more maids, they write their book, //Help//. Many of them end up loosing their jobs, including Aibileen, yet they all knew everything would be fine and knowing they would always have each other. -Hannah Clarke

I had heard from multiple different sources that //The Help,// by Kathryn Stockett, was a read that one did not want to miss out on and so I chose it as the book I was going to read, not thinking too much into it. Little did I know, Kathryn Stockett's bold and charismatic writing style captured my attention by the end of the first chapter. I initially was led to believe that the entire story was going to be told through the African-American maid Aibileen's perspective, but was pleasantly suprised when I found that Stockett used multiple different housemaids, as well as their white owners' perspective. Through using different characters such as Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter, Stockett accomplishes a non-bias look into what prejudice was like in the South during the 1960's. She uses a very descriptive writing style so that at the end of the chapter, you feel as if you are there in Jackson, Mississippi, enduring the hardships of these three audacious women. One can feel Minny's heartache as she deals with her abusive husband and rowdy children and her loud mouth that often wound her up in trouble. Aibileen's despair is almost tangible of the loss of a son and desire for the children she takes care of to not turn out to hate black people like their mothers do, and having to let go of "her babies," as she calls the little white children when they get too mature for a nurse. Skeeter's insecurities about her appearance were very easy to relate to for the teenage readers and her audacity and will to do the impossible was inspiring to do something forbidden though you know its for a good cause and for something that you believe strongly in. Stockett helped the reader feel nervous themselves while Skeeter was writing her book with the compilation of the twelve maids, including Minny and Aibileen. Not only for the twelve maids, whose house, family, job, and sometimes life depended on it, but for Skeeter's sake as well, for she has stepped out of the norm and done something no white woman had ever dreamed of doing, and that is spreading the word of racism in a time of prejudice in the South. //The Help// by Kathryn Stockett was a true eye-opener to anyone in modern times to see what it was like to live during the time of racism, and what a woman can do if they put their mind to it. It is a very well written book and I recommend it to anyone. -Colin Wallace

As far as school’s required reading go, I usually dread picking up the book to read. But, as I got into “The Help” I found myself not being able to put it down as I read about the South in the 1960’s. What History books don’t explain is how Southern Women treated their colored help, or maids. The stories the characters told, Minny and Aibeen, made you feel as though you were there. Each story, the good and the bad, was told with truth of each White woman’s lifestyle. In the beginning of the book each white women are portrayed as a “Steel Magnolias” or rich, opinionated women. Which is a stereotype because one of the main characters, Skeeter, takes a stand. She goes out of her comfort zone to interview black maids to write her own book. The maids work for some of Skeeter’s best friends, she was telling personal stories about her their lives. When the book gets published and Skeeter lands a job in New York City, trouble breaks loose in Jackson, Mississippi. “The Help” is an inspiring book that teaches a powerful lesson. To never judge a person by the color of their skin, or in this case to never judge a book by its cover. ~ Aimee McShane

Kathryn Stockett's __The Help__, is an original, well written book that incredibly portrays the struggle three women endured in order to change the status quo in the 1960's. Even though the book is fictional, the author is able to recreate the strain of racial tension and emotional struggles felt by black women subordinated by their employers in Jackson, Mississippi. Feeling constrained by the boundaries defined by society, two black maids, Aibileen and Minny, and an educated young white woman, Skeeter, are willing to risk all in order to tell their stories. I enjoyed this book greatly and was fascinated by the fact that Stockett, a contemporary white woman, was able to capture the voice and the spirit of black women during the civil rights movement. However, I wonder how real African American women working as maids during this period would react to this novel. - Christina Oelsner

When I first saw this book my had just bought a copy for herself and one for my Grandmother, a Jackson native. The only thought in my head was, "Oh what a pretty cover," and nothing else. I saw my mom reading this book nonstop for the next few days so I had to ask her what it was about. "Jackson Mississippi racism," was her quick reply as she put her head back into the book. My first thoughts were, "Oh, another boring book written by some old guy about Mississippi politics,". After reading the book I could not have been more wrong. I couldn't not put this book down. The way the author lets us get to know the characters by splitting them up into their own chapters not only kept it interesting, it gave me a sort of deeper understanding of what was going on in the book. It helped me relate to each of the characters. Aibileen is a sweet caring woman who misses her dead son dearly and I think this longing for her son makes her latch onto Mae Mobley like she is her own daughter. Minny has a bad temper and cannot keep her mouth shut, but on the inside she is just as fragile as Aibileen. Skeeter used to be a luncheon, country club girl who didn't know herself, but as the book progresses she breaks out of her shell and becomes a free spirited girl who stands up for what she believes in. This book was a very good read and brings to light what happened in that day in an interesting and captivating way. ~Emily Furr

Kathryn Stockett's //The Help// provides a fascinating and informative look into the lives of southern women during times of intense racism. Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s, the novel sheds light on an era that, although only decades ago, is quickly fading and therefore very foreign to most of us. Not only does Stockett take on the perspective of a young white woman and recent college graduate, Skeeter, but she successfully assumes the role of not one, but two older black women and maids, Aibileen and Minnie. Considering that Stockett herself is neither black nor a victim, let alone witness, of the racism of the Sixties, this is a most impressive feat. She creatively winds the perspectives of these three characters together to tell a compelling story of a group of women who risked everything to make a difference for the better. Skeeter convinces Aibileen, Minnie, and eventually many other black maids to tell their stories and expose the terrible treatment of white women towards their "help". A successful endeavor, this project eventually leads to the publication of a book of the lives of a dozen anonymous maids and is spread nation wide. I knew reviews of this novel were good, but it far exceeded my expectations and I would most definitely recommend //The Help//, whether you want a deeper understanding of southern life in the 1960s or are simply interested in a great read. -Frances Grimball

Before starting to read //The Help//, I had only known from word of mouth that it was a novel based on southern racism from decades ago. Although I knew the book was nonfiction, I was a bit skeptical as to whether or not it would be an intriguing plot line or simply a novel that would throw out ideas about 1960s racial discrimination. However, I quickly discovered that Kathryn Stockett was able to create a story involving much more than such a generic theme. Taking on the role of being the voice of not only one, but multiple, black maids in Jackson, Mississippi is a challenge all on its own. But, Stockett accomplishes this task so well you forget the story is written by a white woman and believe it to be the actual tales of the African-American maids. The stories intertwine beautifully and converge together at just the right times. Personally, the most captivating chapters of the novel were those of Aibileen and her time spent raising Mae Mobley. Interestingly enough, Aibileen tried her hardest to ensure that Mae Mobley would be raised with different values than those of her mother, Hilly, only to know that she would eventually turn out just like most women in Jackson. As I read, I found myself charmed by a few characters, disgusted by others, and at times even proud of some, all while feeling completely immersed in the Jackson culture of the era. //The Help// is a book I will continue to recommend to others for years to come. - Chloe Engel

__The Help__ is an uplifting novel about the struggles and rewards of standing up for your rights during times of racism in the 1960’s. Three main characters bond together to create a diary of stories from the typical black maid’s perspective. This is a risky and tedious task that can lead to potential punishment, but, not only did Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny complete the book, it was also a shocking success. Kathryn Stockett constructed a brilliant plot with firsthand opinions of each main character and diverse relationships with the opposite race. An example is Miss Skeeter and Aibileen, because, no matter how different and far apart they are, they always found a way to help the other and finish the book. Aibileen is my favorite character because of her thoughtfulness and wisdom. She always calms down the impulsive Minny and teaches Mae Mobley that she is unique and important. My favorite part of the novel is the ending. Aibileen has been accused of stealing and is fired, so, without sassing her boss, she leaves her precious white child and her only job. Aibileen shows complete selflessness because she realizes that if she really loves Mae, she will let her go. Stockett did an excellent job of creating the individual stories and then combining them into one. This made the character developments more effective because you see how they were in the beginning and compare them in the end when their relationships had formed. I didn’t like that there were a couple of slow parts in the novel, but the little details helped build up to the climax. __The Help__ was one of the best novels I have ever read and has inspired me to stand up what I believe in and shoot for the stars when it comes to my life goals.

--Courtney Linkous

Usually I don’t enjoy books about racism because of how controversial and depressing they often are. However, Kathryn Stockett managed to captivate me after only a few pages of //The Help//. From the very  beginning, I felt like I knew Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter, who alternate telling the story from their point of view. The way the three stories are intricately connected is enthralling. In fact, it was so enthralling that it only took me a few days to read. I never wanted to put it down! Being from the South, I hear tales of racial inequality, but I didn't know quite as much as I thought I did. It is set in Jackson, Mississippi, a small town with a lot of problems. Stockett did an amazing job of writing like "the help" would. I  thoroughly enjoyed when Aibileen and Minny were telling the stories, because they spoke with such colorful language that I felt like I had a movie playing in my head as I read. Aibileen was my favorite character, because of how loving, compassionate, and selfless she is. I can feel the abiding love she has for Mae Mobley (the white child  she looks after). The fact that she wants to change Mae Mobley for the better gave me chills to read. Minny is such a strong person, who has to work extremely hard to take care of all her children and her abusive husband. She has lost countless jobs because of her rude behavior. She wasn't keen on the idea of getting close and trusting a white lady with her secrets, but once she did, she worked hard to make sure it got done and was kept a secret. Skeeter is different from most young ladies her age. She becomes a civil rights activist by the end of the story, trying to change things for the sweet African American ladies of her town. She works around the clock to care for her dying mother, even though they haven't always been close. She is a  determined person who moves to New York to pursue her dream career as a Journalist and hopes to find love. These three outstandingly brave  and determined women try to change the unfair situation they are living in, knowing the consequences may include death. The Help was a very unpredictable, yet eventful story. Stockett clearly develops themes of racial inequality, determination, and friendship. This is  definitely one of my favorite books, and I feel that my prospective on southern history is forever changed. ~Merritt Headden The Help was intimidating at first, but after reading all the great reviews, I figured I would give it a shot. The book was amazing, and a great read. In 1964, Jackson Mississippi was still separate and unequal. Black women only had a few choices for an occupation. The most common occupation was to be domestic help for affluent white families. Aibileen and Minny were good friends even before they met Ms. Skeeter. Already wanting to break into the writing world, naive Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan took advice from a known publisher. She wanted to write a book about the help “they raise a white child and then twenty years later the child becomes the employer. It’s the irony, that we love them and they love us…we don’t even let allow them to use the toilet in the house” ( 105). She needed a total of 13 stories in her anonymous book. There was not even a certainty it would get published. At first it was very difficult to find people who would share their stories, as they were afraid, but Aibileen and Minnie pulled through. Knowing her white predominant friends, Hilly, the witch of Jackson, and Elizabeth, the quiet and easily influenced women would never approve, she went behind their backs. Miss Skeeter only held the interviews at night, and in secret. She really learned what these ladies had to go through on a day to day basis. Loss is a common theme throughout the book. Miss Skeeter loses her friends, only boyfriend, and almost her mom. Minny loses her jobs, and her husband, and Aibileen is still mourning over the loss of her only son. The book centers on the fact that the white women desperately need them, but they still treat them like dirt. The African American women are expected to take care for all the children, clean the houses, and cook all the meals; in many cases for below minimum wage. They did not lose everything thought; they gained self respect, which in my opinion, makes up for some of their misfortunes. In the end, the book does it get published and is very successful. Many people figured out that Ms. Skeeter wrote it, but Minny takes care of that. The reaction of the book coming out varies from the different races, significance in the community, and how selfish they are. The help is a great book that informs people on how the things we might take for granted play a very large part in our lives.

Caroline Pascal

Unaware of the nearly 450 pages of

The Help, I quickly signed up to read the novel because of the rave reviews from both my mother and grandmother. However, the 450 pages weren't as daunting as I had first assumed. Soaring through the pages in a few beach days, I discovered the often unrevealed reality of many caretakers. This other side of truth encompasses the lives of many housekeepers within the realm Jackson, Mississippi while representing the lives of most housekeepers, who are often misrepresented. The harsh lives of "the Help" are revealed in Kathryn Stockett's

The Help. While the author takes the reader through the daily struggles a housekeeper withstands to take care of her family and her white family as well, Stockett also demonstrates the immense pressure many of the whites endure to please society and their families. In the end, several characters such as, Miss. Skeeter and Miss. Celia finally overtake the societal pressures to achieve what they really want in life. Miss. Skeeter finally lands her dream job of becoming a Journalist in New York, something she has aspired towards her entire life, and Miss. Celia realizes her want to constantly please her husband is unnecessary. Minny helps Miss Celia to become aware of her husbands enduring love, regardless of what others (Miss. Hilly) think of her. However, none of these realizations would have been possible without the inspiring help of all the caretakers who often sacrifice anything to take care of the ones they love. ~Emma Whittemore Clearly The Help has received countless words of praise and recognition in society over the past year, so my decision to read The Help was a simple one. It was based primarily on reading the book that I had heard of. The length itself did not scare me, however the content made me a bit aprehensive. The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s was something that was very apparent in Charleston, being one of the most racially discriminating cities during this time period. The Help follows the story of three courageous women, Minny and Aibileen, the two black women living as maids during this time period. Minny, being the loudmouth know it all that is never afraid to speak her mind, and Aibileen, the kind and nurturing motherly woman that seems to always have the best advice. These two women team up with Miss Skeeter, a white woman who contains the rare view of a white woman fighting against social racism and prejudice. Stockett shines a broad light on maids during this time by focusing in on these three women as they struggle to fight against society's bigotous ways. -Katherine Proctor

==== Several months ago, as I perused the list of books for Wiki, I selected //The Help// on a whim. From its description, it appeared to be an interesting enough read, yet nothing in particular stood out to me. However, after indulging myself in the first several chapters, Kathryn Stockett’s captivating and enlightening style proved my initial theory to be completely erroneous. Stockett ingeniously creates three major characters, Miss Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny, who promote the values and principles absent from many Southern homes in the 1960’s, particularly those located in Jackson, Mississippi, where the story is set. These three women fight against the struggles of societal racism, risking life as they know it, intertwining their stirring tales of life concerning “the help” in Southern homes, along with a dozen other maids. Skeeter, a young lady once blind to the harsh reality of prejudice and racism, serves as an inspirational, witty character that overcomes various difficulties posed by women of her society and achieves her dream of becoming a journalist in New York City. Aibileen, the kind-hearted, attentive maid, raises Mrs. Leefolt’s charming Mae Mobley, teaching her moral values and hoping to steer her away from the typical Southern prejudiced lifestyle. Minny, a bold woman never afraid to speak her mind, helps Celia Foote overcome her fears and realize she doesn’t have to impress her husband to make him love her. From this day forward, I will recommend //The Help// to anyone, as it is a fascinating story that truly touched me. ====

-- Hannah Kerns
When I started //The Help// I had no idea what it was about. My mom, my grandma, and my aunts had all read the book and suggested that I read it. It was one of those books that sat on my floor for a while because I don't usually have time to read with school, so I was excited when I saw it on the wiki list. It sounds like a dangerous task for a white woman to write about the lives of black women in the 1960s and even more challenging to write part of the story from their point of view. Incredibly, Kathryn Stockett's book is extremely captivating and convincing. Although she admits that she personally doesn't have stories from black women, she does a great job of inventing the stories. Her writing style is unique as well. The approach of allowing a different character to be in the first person in each chapter lets you get inside the heads of some very different characters. This was a book that you didn't want to put down. Hearing about the terrible treatment Minny and Aibileen faced was horrifying, but Kathryn Stockett also included important anecdotes that were happy and made the characters seem real. The life of Skeeter and her friends was interesting to read about as well. It's crazy how different all of their lives are when they live and work in the same town, among the same people. One of the most interesting parts of the book was about the help's relationship with the white families' children. This is displayed through Skeeter's lost relationship with Constantine and Aibileen's relationship with May-Mobley. The book also has a message about the strength of these women. They went beyond what was expected in many respects. Skeeter's (or really Aibileen's) article Miss Myra and more importantly the book they all worked on in secret. Minny is a funny character in the book, but she is also a strong woman. Overall, this was a very interesting book that I would recommend in the future. -Allie Pinosky

Even though I selected the book //The Help// based on recommendations from a friend's parent, I expected it to be a typical summer reading book: somewhat slow, and sometimes difficult to follow. I was very wrong. Not only did //The Help// grab me from the very first page, it also taught me the inside story of what life would be like living in a prejudice place in the 60s. The view points of Minny and Aibileen provided insight into what an African American maid's thoughts of life could have been. Minny was the woman who could not keep her mouth shut. If she she thought something about what you had said or done, you would know it. Sometime's Minny's mouth got her into trouble, but it also taught me the value of speaking your mind. Aibileen was the sweet-natured woman who raised baby after baby, moving families when the children became old enough to understand racism and participate in it. Aibileen took a big step of courage when she agreed to help Miss Skeeter with her book, and I admire that a great deal. The character I thought was the most interesting, however, was Skeeter. She was raised in a white home that always had colored help, but generally treated them well. Skeeter was the oddball of the family, always writing and thinking and wondering if there was a different way to do things. Skeeter decided to write the book, putting both her life and the lives of the maids in danger, so that things could change. Skeeter represents the power of all those people who strive to make a difference in the world. //The Help// was a very influential novel that not only entertained, but also taught lessons of tolerance, kindness, and courage. -Kate Bryan

I do not read many books for fun, but I read The Help

as if it wasn’t a part of our summer reading. My favorite aspect of the book was how Kathryn Stockett showed all of the differences in her characters although they all had something in common. The book is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. First, there’s Miss Skeeter who graduated from Ole Miss with a degree. Its 1962 in Mississippi and a degree won’t get you far. Skeeter was active in social activities in the beginning but then starts to wonder about her maid, Constantine. Skeeter would usually find solace with Constantine, the extraordinary women who raised her, but Miss Skeeter finds out that she moved to Chicago to be with her white child. Skeeter writes the Miss Myra column for the newspaper and her best friend’s maid, Aibileen, helps her with any question that she cannot answer. Aibileen is a black maid who lost her own son due to cruelty and now she takes care of a little girl because she knows that she does not get enough loving from her mom. Aibileen’s best friend, Minny, is a great cook. She is hired by a new lady in town who has many secrets of her own. The three maids get together and decide to write their own book called Help

. The Help

is the story of a group of women taking the chance of losing everything, for going against what is right. -Ali Waters

My first impression of The Help was that the novel portrayed the stark reality for a certain category of domestic assistants. This impression was quickly proven an incorrect one by the fact not only was the lifestyles and points of view of the help revealed, but also that of their employers. Also, the changing times gave their reality hope. While racial tensions began to impart in the rest of America during the 1960's, Jackson's racial attitude remained. The Help by Kathryn Stockett portrays the adventure of Minny, Aibileen, and Skeeter to initiate change in Jackson, Mississippi. Minny, the house maid fed up with disrespect, and Aibileen, also a house maid with a secret desire to change Jackson, teamed together to face the dangers of taking part in Skeeter's book portraying their life-stories and tales about their employers. Skeeter's modern-day attitude of equality and her ambition to become a journalist drive her to write the book. Hilly, the antagonist and Skeeter's best friend, is the socialite of Jackson and works to keep the racial tensions. As Hilly discovers Skeeters anti-racial opinion, she makes an effort to isolate her from her friends, boyfriend, and former life. Miss Leefolt, Hilly's friend, is obsessed with climbing the social ladder and resembling Hilly. Miss Celia, Minny's employer and best friend, is sympathetic to Minny's situation because she can relate from the struggle during her youth. This interesting style by Katherine Stockett helps the reader to understand each characters actions and opinions. The organization of the book is unique (organized similar to a TV drama) and proves to be effective. The Help was truly a captivating novel while also a fun and inspirational read. -Marshall Mickalis

When I chose The Help for my summer reading, I was oblivious of the extensive length. Normally, I wouldn’t have selected such a large book to read, but the book’s description seemed somewhat interesting and I thought that maybe I should give it a try. In doing so, I read that the book is mainly about three characters, Abileen, Minny, and Skeeter. Abileen and Minny are both African American maids that happen to be best friends. Though they may be best friends they are fairly different. Skeeter on the other hand is a white woman that happens to be returning from collage. Obviously the lives of these three women are completely different. The author, Kathryn Stockett, interlaces the lives of the three women. Although, keeping in mind that each of these women are put at jeopardy due to the evident gap of racism in Jackson, Mississippi. To my amazement, I enjoyed this book a lot. I’m not that big of a reader but out of all the books that I have read this novel certainly stands out of the bunch. - Logan Livingston I enjoyed reading The Help and gaining insight into three diferent point of views, Aibeleen, Skeeter, and Minny. During a time in the south when the Civil Rights Movement was becoming active, this book portrays the feelings of a very racist city in Mississippi. The small anecdotes, particularly those from Hilly, portray how segregated the town was, for they actually believed they could gain diseases from blacks based solely on their skin color. It was empowering to see the efforts made by Skeeter to expose these horrible feelings; she seemed to be one of the only white people who felt this way. The fact that so many maids, or "help," risk their lives to reveal the awful stories from their time working in various white homes shows how much they desired change and activism. Not only is this book about the strength of the civil rights movement, but of the movement for equality amongst men and women too. Overall, I found it interesting reading through each perspective, for it definitely added something to the overall read. The work of these three women was inspirational and motivating, and Kathryn Stockett's writing almost made me feel like I was living in the time period.

-Hannah Hollon

In //The Help//, Kathryn Stockett tells the story of the struggles that housekeepers go through while taking care of the white families they work for as well as their own family in the 1960s. I thought it was interesting reading about Aibileen's, Minny's, and Skeeter's different points of view. Skeeter is a white woman struggling to become a writer while living with her mother. Aibileen and Minny are both black maids. Aibileen is the maid of one of Skeeter's friends, Elizabeth. When Skeeter decides to write about the lives of the help in Jackson, Mississippi, these three women are all brought together. With the help of some other maids, they are able to write their book //Help//. Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter become close friends throughout the proccess of writing the book. Skeeter changed the names of the maids in the book, but many of them were still worried that someone would find out and they would lose their jobs or be beaten. To protect them, Minny included the story of the terrible thing she did to Miss Hilly knowing that Miss Hilly would not want anyone to find out it was about her. Overall, I really enjoyed //The Help//. -Frannie McKenzie

//The Help// is one of the best books I have ever read. The story is not only about maids, like I originally thought. It is about the struggle they go through, with the help of Skeeter, to express their thoughts about their lives in racially segregated Mississippi. That isn’t even the whole story, as the book includes elements of each narrator’s life at home as well. When I began reading it, I wondered if the occasional change of narrator would make the plot confusing. However, the plot is incredibly well woven, and the change in narrator gives it an interesting twist. Instead of only a third-person view, I got to hear the story from three people who are very different from one another. The narrators are also extremely well rounded, and I felt like I personally knew them by the end of the book. Another part that makes the book great is the amount of detail. From the book showing exactly how each narrator talks to the excellent description of Minny’s cooking, //The Help// is packed with detail. However, the best part of the book is the story itself. It is a thought-provoking, amazing story that really drew me in and made me happy, sad, and angry throughout. The narrators are all good people, even though they have faults like anyone else, and I found myself wishing the best for them. Some of the other characters, especially Hilly and Elizabeth, made me furious. Overall, //The Help// was a well put-together book with a wonderful, interesting story that people of all ages would enjoy. -Suzanne Trivette

After looking through the majority of the summer reading books, none of them particularly caught my interest at first glance. I really wasn't so sure what to pick and initially was going to try reading //American Lion.// However, about a week before someone recommended //The Help// to me. It'd been recommended to them, and a lot of people had really enjoyed the book throughout the school. When I cracked open the book on Friday night, I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't even know the basic plot line, just that it was supposed to be a really good book. After the first chapter, I knew they were right. Most school chosen books don't interest me enough to really enjoy them, but //The Help// was different. Both well written and detailed, the story kept me going until eventually it was 2 a.m. By that time I had to quit the book for the night, but I picked it up again first thing in the morning and marathoned it until I was completely done with it. The book was just as enjoyable as my everyday read if not more. //The Help// followed the stories of three women, two black, one white, and showed how their differences in society brought them together to write a book of their own in the 1960s. Full well knowing the consequences for writing such a book, the three worked together to show that they were just people whose only difference was the color of their skin. Just because one was white (Skeeter) didn't mean she was better than them. Just because two were black (Aibileen and Minny) didn't mean they were inferior to her. They were just people trying to survive in a small town where your race depended on your status and whether you were 'diseased', as Hilly put it. The book held up very, very well. I was disturbed when Minny had to deal with Celia's problematic childbirth, amused when Minny finally told the story of the 'Terrible Awful' thing she did, saddened when the truth of Constantine came out, and happy for Aibileen when she played with the children. The story was sad, disturbing, happy, hilarious, and just plain good. The book made its readers feel the emotions the characters went through, and I've always thought that was something to be admired if the author could pull it off. The author did just that. I'd recommend //The Help// to anyone and I'm sure they'd enjoy it as much as I have. -Tory Butler

I really enjoyed reading the Help this summer. The book is set in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960’s. The story is told from the point of view of three different women: Miss Skeeter, Aibleen, and Minny. Together these voices become intertwined to tell a beautiful story. Aibleen has the motherly role in the book. She faces the challenge of becoming attached to the white children she takes care of and also dealing with the death of her own son, Treelore. Minny is the most outgoing of the maids, and she often had problems watching what she said to white women she worked for. Miss Skeeter, the author of the book, faces the challenge of getting the maids to trust her and tell their stories. The bravery of these women in trying to get their stories out is truly something to admire. I really enjoyed this book because of the feeling as if you know these characters, and I would definitely recommend reading it. -Danielle Fishman

As I looked at the list of books, the one book that interested me and caught my eye was, The Help. Its mysterious cover potraying three birds and its great reviews interested me and drew me towards the book. Although the book is very long, it captivated my attention by the way it told stories which had complex meanings and were from different perspectives. The Help portrays the life of women in the south during the times of racism. The novel is told from the perspective of three characters, Aibileen Clark, a middle aged African-American maid who recently lost her son and spent her lifetime raising white children, Minny Jackson, also an African-American maid who often offended her employers even though her family was struggling with money she needed several jobs; and lastly the novel was told from the perspective of Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, a young white woman who recently graduated college and moved back home in order to find out her childhood maid had "mysteriously" disappeared. These three women's perspectives intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help" and even though these women are distanced because racial lines, they tie the novel together and make it a book worth reading. Because it is set in Jackson, Mississippi one can believe that all of the women in that area went through many hardships. The author, Kathryn Stockett didn’t just stick to talking about the African American women throughout the novel, but also referred back to the Caucasians within the book. Kathryn Stockett knew so much about what happened back then, even though she had never experienced it. After reading the book I still was confused by the birds on the book cover. I finally came to the conclusion that the three birds were a metaphor for the three females, "the help" of the novel telling the story throughout the book. On the cover one of the birds is distanced from the other two; Skeeter being Caucasian and Aibileen and Minny being African American, this sybolizes their distance due to racial ties. ~Patrick Williams

I Chose __The Help__ based off the recommendation of two other members of my family. It is an inspiring novel showing that you should never give up in what you believe in. __The Help__ is a story written about the lives of three black housemaids and the spouses that they work for. Ms. Skeeter, a young unmarried white woman, needs the help of Minny and Aibileen to create a book revealing what really happens in the life of an African American housekeeper. Although it is a treacherous task to accomplish and could be life threatening to all of them, they feel that it is necessary that others know what is happening. Kathryn Sockett cleverly made multiple point of views in order to show every opinion, and to be able to cover even the smallest of details. Besides the writing the diary, Ms. Skeeter was a needed character so that it could be shone that both a house maid and a white woman were not use to an easy interracial relationship. Minny is a black house maid who is a phenomenal cook, but tends to talk back to the one whom she works for. Aibileen is another black housekeeper that is extremely kind and has lots of experience helping care for children. She is in love with a young child named Mae Mobley, and cares more for the girl than herself. Ms. Skeeter is a single white woman that is living with her parents, and is trying to get a job as a writer. Of the three, my favorite character is Minny. Although she can loose her temper, she tries her best at being the best that she can be. -Seth Pinosky I was pleasantly suprised while reading "The Help". We can all agree that school books are not always the easiest or most entertaining things you have ever read, but when it comes to "The Help" this was a definite joy read. I had heard good things about "The Help" but never thought about reading it until this wiki assignment. Kathryn Stockett did a fantastic job putting you in the charachters' minds and shaping the story that became hard to put down. The fight against racism is a theme that can be found in books everywhere but Stockett didn't make her story like the others, she showed how strong each of the women are and showed the fight agaisnt it through their perserverance but did not over do it. Each of the charachters starts to feel like a long time friend as the book goes on and they develop more and more. My personal favorite charachter would have to be Minny, her sassy "don't mess with me" attitude is also something that could have been overdone but Stockett gave her just the right amount of attitude. "The Help" was a fantastic book that I think has appeal for readers of many ages. -Bailey Crump

From the moment the Wiki list came out I was sure of my decision to read //The Help// by Kathryn Stockett. It had been recommended to me by a vast number of people and seemed to be the best choice. After the first 20 pages I knew I had made the right decision. //The Help// is the captivating story of three women and their fight against racism as well as finding a way to achieve their true potential when society is telling them no. The narration switches between the three women. There is Aibeleen who is a nice, wise maid who has been working for years and has been trying to teach the children she babysits to judge people on their character not their skin tone. She also loves to write and read. She reads whatever is available. She had to be taken out of school at a young age and does whatever she can to keep up the skills she was taught at a young age. The story is also told from the point of view of Minny a strong willed maid who often has trouble getting a job as she often cannot stop herself from telling people what she really thinks. Minny is incredibly strong and has to constantly deal with the problems of others as well as her own abusive husband. Skeeter a young educated white women also narrates part of the story. Skeeter is an incredibly smart woman who aspires to be a writer but cannot find support from her family or friends. Each character, although very different, was the same in certain ways. Each one wanted to make a change and each one was courageous, outspoken, honest as well as strong. These similarities are what connected these three women. As I read on I could not put the book down. Kathryn Stockett does an amazing job of captivating the reader and allowing the reader to really connect and become attached to her characters. I enjoyed reading Skeeter’s chapters and thought her strength through it all was quite impressive. Even when she was made an outcast in her social group and throw aside by a man she fell in love with and even had to contend with the possibility of her mother dying she stayed strong and never at one point gave up. I also quite enjoyed how Kathryn Stockett did not give the book a very fairy tale ending. She could have easily changed the ending so that when Skeeter told Stuart about the book he supported her and that Elizabeth finally stood up to the repulsive Hilly and didn’t put Aibeleen in as tight of a position, but she did not do any of those things, and because of that I liked the book better. Aibeleen was able to move on from being a maid and start a career in something she loved, Skeeter was finally able to move on and get away from people who really didn’t understand her. Minny came even more into her own at the end of the book and finally made the decision she should have made a long time ago. I loved the book and thought it was fabulous. It was not only a great read but an inspiring story. I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat and I believe it is a must-read! -Chandler Elliott-Fehle Kathryn Stockett’s //The Help// allows for a unique observation of the lives of women and their “help” during the struggle for racial equality. In current times, most people read about this issue in a textbook which presents a brief, scarce overview of the topic, but this book provides a good reminder of how tough the lives of African Americans were, particularly those of the women, and how tense the situation was with their white employers. You are giving a greater understanding of the difficult lives of the maids Aibileen and Minny as Kathryn Stockett writes from their perspective, but you also obtain the viewpoint of a younger white woman, Ms. Skeeter, who was raised by a maid and later goes on to write a book containing a compilation of different maids and their stories. I enjoyed how their lives all connected in some way, and I was always left on the edge of my seat when Stockett would switch points of view as a certain situation peaked. Stockett does a fantastic job of giving multiple viewpoints on a issue that was very controversial during its time, and she allows you to receive a deeper understanding than you may otherwise find. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone seeking deeper and more truthful knowledge of racism during the 1960s but also to anyone just looking for an easy, interesting read. Stacy Fairey I chose to read //The Help// because fellow class-mates highly recommended it. I am not usually fond of long books. But i have to say, this book was very inspiring. Kathryn Stockett captures racial segregation in a very candid and open sort of way. It really makes you think about how hard it must have been during the the times of the Civil Rights Movement. It was truly great to observe through the lives of the three powerful women; Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny. This book will give the reader a new view on racism and the fact that you should judge people by their personality, and not by the color of their skin. //The Help// digs deeply into portraying the lives of African Americans during the times of racial segregation. It also portrays how hard it was as an African American to cope with the challenges of making money, taking care of a family, and even getting through each day. It shows you to fight for what you believe in. This book is definetly one of my top reads and i would highly suggest it to anyone.

-Mary Williams

Reccommended by several classmates, Kathryn Stockett's The Help was one of the most inspiring books i have yet to read. By reading about the journies and struggles of Miss Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny, a whole new perspective on racial discrimination and segregation is presented to the reader. Although we have learned about the civil rights movement in school, never have I learned about the struggles in the every day lives of average African Americans during the sixties. The discription of each woman's trials and trubulations proves their strong wills and courage which act as an inspiration to all of the readers. While The Help was a very uplifting and inspirational book, it ended very realistically but not without presenting hope for the future, which I thoroughly enjoyed. -Kelly Danielowski

Kathryn Stockett's The Help is focused during the prime of the Civil Rights Movement in Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. The novel in narrated by three unforgettable main characters: Skeeter Phelan who has just graduated from Ole Miss and is a wealthy white woman, Aibileen who is a black maid of one of Skeeter's friends Elizabeth, and then there's Minne who is known around Jackson to be an outstanding cook and not knowing how to keep quiet. Aibileen lost her own child, so therefore she feels the need to take care of Elizabeth's child, Mae, like she is her own. The three of these women come together to work on a project to show to everyone the actual prejudice that existed in every day life that blacks went through due to the white racism. Stockett really helped in the understanding of what actually went that eventually led to the Civil Rights Movement in the heart of the Deep South. I would highly recommend The Help to anyone as it was a novel that hooked me at the beginning with its serious understanding of the racial issues, but then with its twist of humor between the characters. Frances Butler The 1960s and the Civil Right Movement were two of the most influential time periods and events to occur in the 20th century. They have always been two of my favorite times in history because of the incredible bravery and innovation that was created throughout the time period. Kathryn Stockett's, The Help, captivated this period of time in America's history so beautifully by weaving the trials and tribulations of three African American women living in the Deep South together to form a truly beautiful story. Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny are three unforgetable characters that gave me a whole new perspective on racial discrimination and segregation in the South. These three women share their troubles and successes with the reader in such an intimate way by showing each of their unique and querky personalities. Stockett did a really wonderful job with the characterization of each protagonist. She pulls you into the dangerous little world of Jackson, Mississippi in 1962 and shows you an honest perspective from these three women while incorporating a slight sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book this summer. It opened my eyes to so much and left me want to know more and learn more. Anna Mack

When it came time to choose a summer wiki book, I had no idea what book I wanted to read. My friends and family suggested __The Help__ because they thought it was a good read. As I began to read __The Help__, I realized what a great book it was. Based in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's during the Civil Rights Movement three women who couldn't be more different come together. Skeeter has just graduated from Ole Miss and comes from a wealthy white family, while Aibileen and Minny are colored help, who take care of the white children and their families' homes. Each chapter in this book was narrated by one of the three women. It was interesting to see each women's perspective on what was going on in their lives. Each chapter unlocks a new secret about the lives of these three women. Stockett captivates the reader's mind by telling the humorous stories of these women. These women share their exciting lives and grand personalities with the reader, who has a new perspective on the history of racial discrimination. This novel teaches an amazing lesson that people should live by today. I throughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. Grace McShane

====When I first saw the book itslef, there was an intimidation factor because of the length of it. The Help by Kathyrn Stockett was a very eye-opening book though and didn't bore me at all. It gave us, as the reader, an inside view at several different perspectives of an African-American during the 1960's. The Civil Rights Movement is one of my favorite periods of history in the 20th Century. The author shows us through three different characters: Aibileen, Skeeter, and Minny. These characters are very much different in some ways but yet come together. Each chapter reveals a new look or view on society during this time period. Whether is Skeeter, coming from a richer white family, or Abileen and Minny, the African-American maids, we see how each person views society. This book was truly a great book and I would highly recommend it.====

Hale McCullough
Kathryn Stockett's, __The Help__ at first glance seemed like I was biting off more then I could chew length wise but after every page I found myself more and more intrigued, humored and even inspired by the stories of three women. Skeeter a young, wealthy, white woman, Abileen who is an african american maid employed by Skeeter's friend and an outspoken chef, and another black woman by the name of Minny in 1960's Mississippi. A time and place where race greatly influenced your place in society. Both African American women are hired hands who keep the houses of White people. The Help offered a much more intimate account of The Civil Rights Movement, providing contrast, some historical background and even a little humor as each of the women's stories unfold giving a vivid description of how each percieves their place in society as well as creating a personal view the bitter bonds of racial descrimintation. Each woman serves as an example of hope for seeing people for what they are inside and not by the color of their skin. I would recommend this book to anyone fond of this period in history as well as anyone looking for a pleasant read in general, and warn them not to be intimidated by the length the story went by very quickly for me!

Hunter Durham

====The Help by Kathryn Stockett was a very emotional, eye opening book. Growing up in Charleston has been a great aspect to my interest in slavery due to the fact that slavery was a huge influence here. Kathryn introduced us to the main characters Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. The book explores the interactions between Skeeter( in a wealthy white family) and Abileen and Minny( the black maids). There are various interactions between these soul driven characters that really want to make a change in the Civil Rights Era. This book was based in Mississippi in the 1960's which was on of the key slave states in the 60's. This book was a very easy read and got you hooked right after the first 10 pages. Even though at first glance it looks long, it's a breeze of a read!====

Elizabeth Long
I chose to read The Help because of my own mother's obsession with the book. I had never read it until this summer, and I am sure glad I chose it. Being a South Carolina native, born to parents who are also natives, you can bet I have heard stories about the Black American maids even in our own Downtown, Charleston. Perhaps in Mississippi, where the racism was more radical and acted upon, it would be wrong to compare the kind of treatment of black maids to those of a different place, such as our own Charleston. However, throughout the book, taking place only fifty years ago, I could not stop thinking to myself, could I have been one of these white women who had a maid? Would I have treated my maid the way these women treated theirs? Of course, in today's world, we now recognize that these women were so very wrong with their treatment of their maids. BUT, would we have recognized it fifty years ago? Or would we have just wondered to ourselves, yet gone on with our everyday lives...? Not that I am condoning in any way what these white women did was okay, but I do believe that we must realize that to the majority of the white population in Mississippi at the time, this behavior was not abnormal. I applaud Skeeter for speaking out against the norm and to all of the black maids for their courage and bravery to really express how hard this life was. Stockett does a lovely job keeping the reader's attention and making you feel the struggle of these black maids. -Julia Mallard