Questions About The Help

by Kathryn Stockett (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (74)

Do any of you remember the exact words said to the little girl: "I is beautiful; I is smart; I is important" .... or something like that?

Brenda You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

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My 12 year old daughter would like to read this. I have not read it in a few years and can't remember if there is anything graphic that she will encounter. What do you think about a middle school student reading this?

Sidney I actually read this amazing book when I was exactly 12 years old, and I believe that it's crucial for children to understand that this actually happe…moreI actually read this amazing book when I was exactly 12 years old, and I believe that it's crucial for children to understand that this actually happened and it's not pretend. I would absolutely have your daughter read this, the voices are authentic and it perfectly sums up events that occurred during this time period. (less)

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what's wrong with the grammar in the book ? :/

Rebecca The author wrote the dialogue of the book in the dialect of whoever was speaking. So it is written in a way that if said out loud would most likely so…moreThe author wrote the dialogue of the book in the dialect of whoever was speaking. So it is written in a way that if said out loud would most likely sound like how they were actually speaking ( a la Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. )(less)

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After reading a little ways into this book, I did some research and found out that the main character was based off a real woman who wound up suing the author for using her likeness in this book. I decided I couldn't read this book after finding this out. How do you feel about this information? http://abcnews.go.com/Health/lawsuit-black-maid-ablene-cooper-sues-author-kathryn/story?id=12968562

Lucia Parr It doesn't change the truth in the story. The lawsuit is disappointing but there is too much to learn from the book to dismiss it for solely that reas…moreIt doesn't change the truth in the story. The lawsuit is disappointing but there is too much to learn from the book to dismiss it for solely that reason.(less)

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Does watching the film first makes the book a lot worse?

Julie I usually find that the book is always so much better than the film as you create pictures in your own mind and use your own imagination. I was given …moreI usually find that the book is always so much better than the film as you create pictures in your own mind and use your own imagination. I was given this book to read by a relative, hadn't heard of it before and wasn't aware there was also a film of it but will definitely seek it out. I read To Kill A Mockingbird a while back then watched the film after and felt that it was only better than I was expecting because the acting was so good.(less)

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