The Help / Kathryn Stockett / 721 pages / August Challenge - North America

This is an excellent, heartbreaking account of race relations in the 1960's United States as told through the eyes of the help - the maids hired by wealthy families in the South to care for their homes and their children.  Young Eugenia (Skeeter) wants to be an author and she embarks on writing articles of advice on household maintenance even though she knows nothing about this.  She must rely on the knowledge of a maid to answer questions posed to the column.  She also undertakes the process of interviewing maids on their life and experiences serving the white folk of the South after being the go ahead by a New York publisher.  This cautionary tale, encourages all to view, treat, and respect people as people, regardless of color...also...watch out for chocolate pie.