To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Book Summary: This classic tells the
story through the eyes of young Scout and her older brother, Jem. They live in a small southern town with their
lawyer/widower father, Atticus Finch. With the imagination of summertime friend,
Dill, they try to entertain themselves while unraveling the mystery of
neighborhood recluse, “Boo” Radley. Atticus,
asked to defend a negro man accused of raping a white woman, and the children
give witness to the events as they unfold.
This Pulitzer Prize winning story relates the flimsy face of racism and
injustice through the children’s eyes.
It tells the story of not-so simple times and growing into knowledge of
adult issues with the gentle guidance of a wise father.
APA Reference: Lee, H. (1982/1960). To kill a
mockingbird (Warner Books ed.). New York, NY: Warner Books.
My Impressions: I used this book for an adult book club discussion group. The participants thoroughly enjoyed this read. We also had a movie tie-in with the version starring Gregory Peck. We agreed the movie was good, but the book was better. I missed the descriptions of when Scout and Jem walked through the negro neighborhood and her visit to the negro church with Calpurnia, the extra encounters the with Boo and Nathan Radley, the morphine-addicted neighbor, and Aunt Alexandra, and the secret “bag” which Mr. Raymond shared with the children while waiting at the courthouse—it was actually Coca Cola instead of something “forbidden”—I got a big chuckle out of this ruse.
Professional Review: Lee gives an objective look at both sides of racial and justice issues through the eyes of the children in the “divided, 1930’s American society. Berman states that, “this is a true American classic and one of our most eloquent appeals for tolerance and justice”. He also finds this novel has developed characters, an evenly woven plot where the children “see the evil born of ignorance and squalor”—finding their father leads with “quiet righteousness and gentle civility”; his “loving wisdom” setting the way straight. It is recommended for tweens 12 years and older, but this classic is a must read for all ages.
Berman, M. (n.d.). [Reviews of the book To Kill a Mockingbird, by H. Lee]. Common Sense Media. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/kill-mockingbird
Library Uses: Inspired to discuss issues of the historical period in time, this read can be used for book groups in public libraries or high-school history classrooms. Issues such as racism and justice are ripe for dialogue in this Pulitzer Prize winning classic. Rumors, fear, and pretense often cover-up facts and character is misjudged and perpetuated. Discussions concerning looking beyond the façades people carry and really delving into others’ persona, can be a gratifying experience.
My Impressions: I used this book for an adult book club discussion group. The participants thoroughly enjoyed this read. We also had a movie tie-in with the version starring Gregory Peck. We agreed the movie was good, but the book was better. I missed the descriptions of when Scout and Jem walked through the negro neighborhood and her visit to the negro church with Calpurnia, the extra encounters the with Boo and Nathan Radley, the morphine-addicted neighbor, and Aunt Alexandra, and the secret “bag” which Mr. Raymond shared with the children while waiting at the courthouse—it was actually Coca Cola instead of something “forbidden”—I got a big chuckle out of this ruse.
Professional Review: Lee gives an objective look at both sides of racial and justice issues through the eyes of the children in the “divided, 1930’s American society. Berman states that, “this is a true American classic and one of our most eloquent appeals for tolerance and justice”. He also finds this novel has developed characters, an evenly woven plot where the children “see the evil born of ignorance and squalor”—finding their father leads with “quiet righteousness and gentle civility”; his “loving wisdom” setting the way straight. It is recommended for tweens 12 years and older, but this classic is a must read for all ages.
Berman, M. (n.d.). [Reviews of the book To Kill a Mockingbird, by H. Lee]. Common Sense Media. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/kill-mockingbird
Library Uses: Inspired to discuss issues of the historical period in time, this read can be used for book groups in public libraries or high-school history classrooms. Issues such as racism and justice are ripe for dialogue in this Pulitzer Prize winning classic. Rumors, fear, and pretense often cover-up facts and character is misjudged and perpetuated. Discussions concerning looking beyond the façades people carry and really delving into others’ persona, can be a gratifying experience.
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