The Help

[Kamal]

A book that has to be read by all high schoolers as a whole class is, “The Help” written by Kathryn Stockett” because it is a book that as a whole class can learn a lot about. The story talks about how black maids work in white Southern homes in Jackson, Mississippi. The three main narrators are Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter. Throughout the story the author shows the interaction between the maids and their white employers. I think that this book should be read by all high schoolers as a whole class because it is book that relates to so many topic and also gives an overview of African American history.

This book is very interesting because you learn about how slaves were treated many years ago. The text stated, “ Mae Mobley make and ugly face at me and then she rear and bowp. She wack me right on the ear.” (p.81) This is the part when Elizabeth hits Mae Mobley. This book should be read by all high schoolers because it can be whole class lesson on African American history.

[Zoe]

Agreed. Such a painfully poignant story. There were times where I really cringed while reading and had to tell myself look: it is not pretty but only half as horrid for you. Maybe that is why it was so hard. To know that I was horrified by just reading it. Imagine what had been like to be on the receiving end of such unwarranted hostility.

A painful must-read. It is like looking in the mirror at the ugliest part of yourself, knowing that we are all capable of such malice.

[Tariqah]

I found the loss of Aibileen's son to have the most effect on me in the reading. Every year, on the day her son was born, she would go into a mere coma of depression. How he died was heartbreaking, but not surprising; his lungs being crushed by the weight of a vehicle intentionally driven in his direction. It was also the death of Aibileen's son that encouraged her to agree to the project that Mrs. Skeeter was working on in regards to the injustice of black maids by white homeowners.

[Mary]

I remember well, growing up in the '50s in Washington, the strange economic interdependence these 200 lb+ flowers of Southern white womanhood, and the poor desperate souls who combed the want ads looking for "general house work". They were despised, easily replaced, and often the objects of wrath, had no job security, but their employers were so overwhelmed by child care and housework, they felt they could not live without a maid. My mother hated doing housework, especially ironing, so she hired a maid only to iron, then blew up when everything had a scorch. It was a no-win situation all around.

[Miranda]

Can actually send me steps how ti start reading this book