by
3.87 of 5 stars
Imagine you are Bruno Richard Hauptmann, accused of murdering the son of the most famous man in America.

In a compelling, immediate v... read full description

reviews

Oct 02, 2011
Michael rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Genre:Poetry, Historical Fiction

Rating: ****
The historical context of the Lindbergh family tragedy is captured beautifully through the lens of a teenage girl.

Summary:
After the Lindbergh baby is kidnapped, the trial for the man suspected of the crime is set to take place in a nearby town. When Katie Leigh Flynn is given the chance to help a reporter cover the trial, we learn a great deal about the case as Katie learns a great deal about herself.

Mai More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 22, 2009
Ariana rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Katie Leigh Flynn is a young girl living in Flemington, New Jersey. It is a small, quiet town until the trial of the century is held there: the trial that would decide whether Richard Bruno Hauptmann was guilty of kidnapping and murdering Charles Lindbergh's baby boy.

I like the author's style. The entire story is told through poems, and each is full of feeling and insight. The book is well researched and thought provoking. Jen Bryant covers the doubt inherent in such a trial and the More...
Mar 23, 2010
Daria rated it: 3 of 5 stars
My former boss often made reference to the kidnapping of Lucky Lindy's son, so it was interesting to read a novel centered around the trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, his alleged kidnapper and murderer. Probably the thing that surprised me most is how much of a role the news media of the day and the public's fascination with celebrity played in the trial and its outcome. It wouldn't surprise me in today's world with the constant access we have to news, but for some reason I wasn't expecting i More...
Jun 13, 2008
Patty rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I got the book for a workshop I will attend, but amongst the multitude of books in my to read pile, this one caught my attention. The Trial is a highly readable book. I sat down and read it all in one hour. First of all, it talks about Charles Lindbergh, and I love historical fic probably more than any other genre. Second, I open it up, and it is written in free verse. Plus, it is broken into sections with quotes from people living at the time. I hope they are genuine. In one way, it was a More...
Dec 15, 2008
Kyra rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This is a book where all the chapters where poems. At first this style was kinda unusual, but it gets more normal as you read it.
This book is an event by event unfolding of the Lindbergh case, told from the perspective of Katie Leigh Flynn.
This wasn't the most amazing book I've ever read, but I do like a book about trials, and the story gets very captive towards the middle.
Mar 04, 2010
Chris rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful work of historical free-verse fiction told from the POV of a girl who is working as a reporter's assistant at the Bruno Hauptmann trial (the accused kidnapper/killer of the Lindberg baby). The historical detail is sharp, the lines have some memorably well-crafted figurative devices, and the story has depth beyond the story of the trial. Way to go Jen!
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Mar 06, 2011
Martha rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This historical fiction about a young girl who works as a journalist at the Lindbergh trial is a good introduction to historical fiction, the law and writing for people who are 8 or a bit older. It is written in an interesting poetical form that is easy to read and interesting. Try it, Eva!
May 05, 2010
Sue rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This is the second book I've read by Jen Bryant. I think younger readers would like this book better than Ringside because the point of view is from one character's perspective rather than numerous characters, but I liked Ringside better for that very reason.
May 27, 2011
Catherine rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jen Bryant often combines local history in her books. This one tells the story in poetry form, of the trial surrounding the missing Lindbergh baby.
Jun 28, 2009
Trish rated it: 4 of 5 stars
this was a subtle book about the Lindberg trial. I learned a few things that I was unaware of, and I believe this might spark an interest in that time period/trial, for kids who may read it. I recommend it-it is easy and quick, but worth it.
Oct 13, 2010
Karen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I am a big fan of Jen Bryant's novels in free verse and this one was no exception - I really enjoyed it. Fascinating historical fiction about the Lindbergh kidnapping case, told from the point of view of a young girl attending the trial in her home town of Flemington, NJ. Free verse reads quickly but is powerful and effective.

My next Jen Bryant read will be Ringside 1925, her other historical fiction novel in free verse about a different trial. More...
Mar 09, 2010
Sarah rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Liked the structure and content of this one. Interesting point of view.
Oct 13, 2010
Rizqie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
awalnya gw kira nih kumpulan puisi, soalnya liat dalemnya bentuknya kayak puisi gitu. terus gw liat sampulnya, ada tulisan "A NOVEL". bah bingung kan lu? tapi setelah gw baca sampe part 2 mulai terlihat kesamaan pembahasan dan kronologisnya. yah intinya gw mulai ngerti lah nih buku arahnya kemana. gw ngerasa nih buku bagus mungkin karena ada pembaharuan dalam gaya penulisannya kali yeah. baru nemu sih buku yang isinya, bentuk penceritaanya kayak gini. selamat menikmati. gw punya buku a More...
Dec 22, 2010
Maddie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
It was okay.
Jul 26, 2008
Kirsten rated it: 5 of 5 stars
An excellent example of how successfully a verse novel can draw the reader into the story and move the plot along in a good, solid direction. After reading this book, I was fascinated to learn more about the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby and the trial upon which this book is based.
Oct 13, 2010
Sarah rated it: 3 of 5 stars
As a courtroom observer, a twelve-year-old girl provides an inside look at the trial of the Charles Lingbergh's baby kidnapping and murder through a review of the witnesses, the defendant, the lawyers, and other related parties involved in this historic case.
May 26, 2009
Tammy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A close friend recommended that I read The Trial after being introduced to it herself while teaching the 8th grade this year. I was pleasantly surprised of how Jen Bryant was able to turn factual truths of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping/murder into poems.
Dec 22, 2007
Jess rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Written in poem format, this is the story of the trial of the guy who was accused of kidnapping and killing Charles Lindbergh's baby, so I guess it's historical fiction... a quick read and interesting.
Oct 13, 2010
Rae rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A child's perspective on a trial that actually took place. Historical fiction that uses first source documetns to recreate the trial of the kidnap/murder of the Lindbergh baby. Fascinating. A quick read.
Oct 13, 2010
Elizabeth rated it: 4 of 5 stars
OOOh oooh oooh -- I loved this! THis novel in verse is a speedy read about a girl who writes about the trial of Bruno Hauptman.

Accurate history, creative delivery.
Jun 15, 2011
Lana added it
I thought the trial of the Lindberg baby's accused kidnapper was a fascinating setting. I also liked the Katie, the main character in this book.
Oct 13, 2010
Novel in verse told from the point of view of a girl hired by her town newspaper to write stories about the Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial.
Jul 08, 2011
Autumn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I thought this book was pretty good for a murder trial. Not scary at all, not even the closest bit! A very quick read, too.
Oct 13, 2010
Marguerite added it
Classroom applications-novel
read aloud, guided reading, shared reading, literature circles

19 copies available
Feb 08, 2012
Erika marked it as to-read
Feb 01, 2012
Olivia added it
Jan 28, 2012
Natalie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Jan 21, 2012
Malissa marked it as to-read
Jan 13, 2012
Angela marked it as to-read
Dec 23, 2011
Christina rated it: 3 of 5 stars