Starred Review.What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver.

Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you.The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers.The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams.

Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it.(Feb.)
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From Bookmarks Magazine
In writing about such a troubled time in American history, Southern-born Stockett takes a big risk, one that paid off enormously.Critics praised Stockett's skillful depiction of the ironies and hypocrisies that defined an era, without resorting to depressing or controversial clichés.Rather, Stockett focuses on the fascinating and complex relationships between vastly different members of a household.

Additionally, reviewers loved (and loathed) Stockett's three-dimensional charactersand cheered and hissed their favorites to the end.Several critics questioned Stockett's decision to use a heavy dialect solely for the black characters.Overall, however, The Help is a compassionate, original story, as well as an excellent choice for book groups.