To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Adult Crossover Novel
ISBN: 978-0446310789
288 pp.
Suitable for 15+

Readers Annotation: In a battle of good versus evil, white lawyer Atticus Finch defends a black man accused of rape.

Plot Summary: Taking place during the great depression in Alabama, Atticus Finch, a well-respected lawyer, lives with his two young children. The town is racist and there are some characters such as the reclusive Boo Radley living there, which ignites the children's imaginations. When Tom Robinson, a black man who has been wrongfully accused of raping a white woman, Finch decides to defend him genuinely. This causes controversy throughout the town as their lives are never the same. The town disapproves of Mr. Finch while kids taunt and make fun of his children. However, even though there is much evidence that Tom is innocent, he is eventually convicted. Tom dies while trying to escape from prison. And even though the verdict was Tom being guilty, the prosecutor of the trial is still upset and decides to take revenge. In what becomes a battle of good versus evil, will sympathy and understanding win or will it bow down to hatred and prejudice.

Critical Evaluation: Told from the point of view of Atticus Finch's daughter, Scout, this story is more about symbolism and themes than the actual story itself. Since it is told by a child, there is an innocence about it that is both heartwarming and very humorous at times. Imaginations go wild such as the legend of Boo Radley. Difficult situations are met through the simplicity in how a child thinks. It is also quite sad, but this is met with irony and satire, another message the book delivers. The town is racist but wants to better society, for instance. The descriptions are numerous and curious. The main symbol is the mockingbird, which represents innocence, and therefore when Tom Robinson is found guilty and eventually killed, the mockingbird (innocence) is killed. Scout's innocence is destroyed as well. She now views the world in a different light and its up to Atticus to make sure she doesn't judge through hatred and prejudice. Life isn't fair a lot of times, but the book sends the message that courage and understanding prevail.

Author: Harper Lee was born in 1926 and To Kill a Mockingbird was surprisingly her only published novel. Much of the style of life found in the book was observed by her when she was a child, therefore the novel can be seen as semi-autobiographical. Lee graduated high school and went to an all-girls college in Montgomery. Instead of focusing on fashion and what other girls were interested in, she focused in writing.

After her only publication, Lee helped Truman Capote in what would become In Cold Blood. Afterwards, there were attempted novels but they were never finished. She has also received various honorary degrees.

Booktalking Ideas:
1) Racism
2) Law
3) Innocence
4) Death
5) Rape

Challenge Issues:
This book is challenged due to the mentions of rape, racial injustice, and death, literally and figuratively.

A librarian should state that the ALA mission is "to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all," which is embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, the Association's basic policy on free access to libraries and library materials. Librarians must act as an extension, making sure that they educate the general public, and themselves, about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom in libraries.

Why Included: I read this book originally in high school and a couple times since and it has stuck with me ever since. When thinking about the project, this book popped in my mind as an ideal crossover novel that still sends an amazing message.