“This book is very eye-opening to the struggles of the civil rights movement and is told through intimate accounts of four engaging characters,” writes the nominator of “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. Stockett’s bestseller takes place in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi where the lifestyle of white families depends on the work of black women employed to take care of their houses and children. An aspiring writer with a growing desire for social justice, Miss Skeeter begins collecting interviews of black women and their abuse at the hands of their employers, with the hope of publishing their words in spite of the risks; they could lose not only their jobs but also their lives. The voices of maids Aibileen and her best friend Minny are memorable and heartfelt, and their stories keep readers on the edges of their seats, rooting for their success.

Have a suggestion of your own? Nominate a title for our 2011 One Read program at any of our branches, the bookmobile, or online at oneread.org.