Rating: 
Summary: Best Book I Ever Read
Review: Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" takes place in Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930's. The setting plays a major key role in the development of the story. Maycomb, Alabama is a small town with obvious class and racial segregation. The majority of the townspeople are very prejudiced and closed-minded, but one exception to this trend is Atticus Finch. He is a white, middle-class lawyer who defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman. The trial causes a great controversy among the townspeople and reveals the true opinions and values of the citizens of Maycomb, Alabama.
Lee uses the characters in his book to convey different views on the topic of discrimination. Specifically, he uses Finch's children, Jem and Scout, to show an innocent and naive perspective on the topic. The children have a hard time understanding why a man is being persecuted because he is of a different race. Jem and Scout's thoughts continue to play a significant role throughout the book to represent the idealistic views. Mayella Ewell, the woman who accuses Tom Robinson of raping her, is used by Lee to show the white race's common view of the black race during the 1930's. Ewell is willing to have a man put to death just to save her reputation. Her act of indiscretion points out the views of how black men were rarely viewed as human beings and certainly were not treated as if they were human beings.
In my opinion, Lee does a wonderful job in expressing his views through the use of his diverse characters. The language that he uses in his book really makes the words jump off the page. Also, the lessons learned in this book are applicable to everyday life. He brings you along for a most influential ride filled with love, hate, anger, and such starvation for wanting to know what is going to happen next in the story, that you just cannot put the book down. After reading this book, I appreciated the struggles of the black race more than ever, and I really respect all they had to go through.
Rating:
Summary: A True Classic
Review: Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, Maycomb - names that resonate even before reading the book. I can't believe that it's taken me so long to get around to reading this - it truly is a classic that deserves to be read, that's enjoyable and is still an easy read."To Kill a Mockingbird" takes place in the deep South during the depression. Told from the viewpoint of Scout Finch, a young tomboy growing up in Maycomb, Alabama, we get an account of her early life full of strange characters such as the enigmatic Boo Radley, woven with a classic courtroom drama equal to any that Grisham or Turow have produced. Harper Lee has breathed such life and vitality into every character in this tale. Jem and Scout, the son and daughter of Atticus Finch a local lawyer and state senator, represent the liberal town viewpoint, the growing awareness of racial inequality and the touchpoint for the tensions of country versus town that appear even within the school. Aunt Alexandra gives us an insight into the southern hostess, gentile yet savage, forward thinking when it comes to Africa highlighting the racial inequalities they take for granted in their own town. This book was written at the beginning of the highly charged atmosphere of the late 50s, early 60s. Racial inequality was being challenged in the courts, in the schools and on the streets. The combination of this intensity combined with the drama set in 1930s makes this one of the true classics of American life in the South. It is an interesting read whatever your background and I highly recommend reading it sooner rather than later!
Rating:
Summary: all people are created equal
Review: I especially like this book because it kills off a lot of stereotypes. For example, it proves that girls who live in the South aren't always 'delicate' and 'fragile' like most people think they are. Scout, the main character in this book, gets a shotgun for Christmas and wears boy's clothes while most girls her age get jewelry, makeup and frilly dresses. Also, Atticus, her father, is the first positive white male character who lives in the South. As you read this book you will find a number of plots, but especially it's about how Scout sees her father handle a case when a black man is accused of raping a white woman in the 1930's even when he's innocent. This is a great book; especially if you want to learn about life in the South in the 1930's.
Rating: 
Summary: not good
Review: seriouly bad. there is no main plot, its just short stories all stuck toghether, the characters are unbelivible, the writing is boring. i had to read it in english, and found it so boring. the main story about the trial, finishes half way through the book so after that its just little boring stories about scout and jem. not a good book, nothing happens interesting.
Rating:
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird
Review: Harper Lee enthralls us all with the timeless classic, To Kill A Mockingbird, a memorable story of 2 children growing up in a small Southern town in Alabama. The unforgetable characters, Jem and Scout Finch let readers experience the thrill of their heart racing adventures.
Jem and Scout experience the hatred and cruelty that the African Americans went through in the south after their father, Atticus Finch, is asked to defend a black man in a serious black vs. white court case. The urge to reveal the small town mystery man makes this novel a laugh-out-loud comedy. After Jem and Scout's Aunt Alexandra comes to straighten out the Finch children, and turn them into a gentleman and a lady, rebellion becomes even more fun.
Adventurous, intriguing, and breathtaking, To Kill A Mockingbird won the Pulitzer prize soon after its 1960 release, and was later transformed into an Academy award winning film. This tale thrills readers with excitement and adventure; it's a natural page-turner!
Rating:
Summary: Favorite Book
Review: Ever since I read this in 10th grade, it has been my favorite book. I have read it several times and each time, I find something in there that is new. It is definately a timeless classic. I think having Scout narrate the book as an adult looking back on her childhood isn't a new concept, but this is the kind of story that it works great in. Seeing Macomb County through the eyes of a young child gives it a bit of nostalgic innocence. If you want to see the movie, read the book first.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal
Review: I was curious how a few years might change the perspective I had on this book from the first time I read it, in grade 10. Indeed, I think I have benefitted from having a more grown-up view to this material, given how much weight it carries, even if the story is told from the point of view of a youth. "To Kill A Mockingbird" tells the story of an Alabama family, the Finch's, who get caught up a racial battle in their small town as Atticus, a father and widower, defends a black man against the charge of rape. The story is told rather wonderfully from the point of view of Scout, a naive and hot-headed young girl with a nose for a fight, who wanders among many stories, from the eccentric Radleys, to playground fights, to wondering why her father continues to defend that man everyone seems so intent on lynching. "To Kill A Mockingbird" is a wonderful story. It's sweet and poignant and principled without ever being schmaltzy or loaded with sentiment. Among the strongest points, in my opinion, are the little conversations Atticus has with others explaining why he's doing what he's doing, the court sequences, and the subplot with Arthur Radley. There is a pervasive theme of not judging others before getting to know them which is a lasting, timeless message. Recommended to everyone. Matthew D. Johnston
Rating:
Summary: A Taste of the Past
Review: I read this book for a school assighnment. At first I thought that this book was quite boring but as the story line continued the plot developed a great climax. As I read more into the book I had an urge to read on. The main charachters in this book are: Jem, Scout and Atticus, The minor characters are: Dill, Boo Radley,and the Ewells. What I liked about this book was that it had other stories that were also happening which prevented us from getting bored.This book lets us see how kids in the past coped with prejudice. This book definetely deserves 5 stars because it stands out from all the other books that have been written.
Rating:
Summary: Of course, a classic.
Review: I'm not going to go into all the depths of what this book is about, and what it symbolizes. If your 9th grade English teacher did not make you read this book, or you only read the cliff notes, you must read it. It is a classic for a reason, and everyone should read it.
Rating: 
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird
Review: The plot of TO Kill a Mockingbird get's two thumbs up as they say in the movies. I felt that the author did a good job by making us see it from an eight year olds perpective.Well it took place in old town during the time racism occured. I felt that alone had me intrigued to read the book . It was intersting to
me because the book had two different stories going on at one time.
I felt that the author showed me as a reader that a kid growing up with a single parent was hard and that it's even harder when your parent is a hard worker and he doesn't have time to see you so you go and start own adventures like Scout and Jem do by trying to find things about there scary and mysterious neighbor Bo Radley.
In my opinion I would say that the author portrayed Atticus as a man who does what he thinks is right by defending a African American man who he thinks is innocent eventhough knowing the whole town will look at him and his kids differently.That made me think about all my past situations where I had to the do the right thing. I thought the book had key elements but the part I liked the most was when Scout met Bo and found out that he was a good man. That tells the reader to don't judge a book by it's cover.
I recommend for everyone to read this book because this book has a lot of meaning to it. It shows the way a kid grows up in rough times and the racial issues in that period of time. I gave the book four stars because after every chapter I wanted to read it not knowing what to expect.
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