To Kill a Mockingbird

Bibliography:Lee, H. (1960). To Kill A Mockingbird. New York, NY: Harper.

Genre:Literary Fiction/Adult Crossover

Reading Level/Interest Age:15+ yrs

Reader's Annotation:Scout, Jem and Dill grow up amidst tough times in the American South prior to the Civil Rights movement.

Author:Harper Lee's only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.

Plot Summary:Scout Finch remembers her childhood growing up in Macomb, AL in the early 1930s. Scout and her brother play games to antagonize their reclusive neighbor, "Boo" Radley. When their father becomes involved in a high-profile court case, Scout and Jem observe their town exhibit racism and ignorance. Scout and Jem learn a lot from this trial, especially by speaking with their father and seeing events through his perspective.

Critical Evaluation:The power of To Kill a Mockingbird relies on its narrator, Scout. A child, Scout interprets what she sees happening all around her. She does not understand it all, but sometimes Jem does understand. The scene with Atticus “guarding” Tom Robinson at the courthouse shows this clearly. Scout runs to her father when she sees him; she does not realize the danger she is in. Jem does see that the men around them have weapons. He recognizes them and knows why they are there. Scout spies Mr. Cunningham in the crowd and asks him a question. Her innocence pulls the men out of their rage. It is only because she is a child that she can save her father (and Tom).

Despite the racial prejudice gripping the town, Scout remains oblivious. Her life—and therefore the story—revolves around her relationships with Jem, Dill, Atticus and the other characters. We only see what she sees, and so we have a glimpse of very ugly hatred through an innocent.

Curriculum Ties:Civil Rights Movement (1960s American History)

Book Talk Ideas:Read sections of the novel, perhaps an early scene with Scout describing the terrors of the Radley house (to peak interest in Boo Radley)

Challenge Issues:Blatant racism, including racist language ("nigger") and suggested violence

Why was this text included in this project?This novel was included because it is regularly required reading for high school students.