Rating: 
Summary: Timeless Classic
Review: Harper Lee has created a fascinating literary character, Scout Finch, whose first person account of life in a sleepy, southern town as a young girl is rich with humor, drama and humanity itself. The novel is a testimonial to Lee's love for her own father who serves as teacher, protector and reluctant hero; and, Lee's ability to immerse the reader in the depth of feeling between father and daughter is breathtaking. Within this simple love story, Lee creates a stunning dichotomy that pits the purity and simplicity of childhood innocence against one of the darkest eras in southern American history when racial biases and violence ran deep and dark. The novel's universal themes are truly studies in contrast: humor versus tragedy; innocence versus guilt; good versus evil; ignorance versus truth. Lee's character development is effortless and utterly believable, and leaves the reader pondering the futures of these beloved figures long after the last pages are read. Lee weaves all of these elements together effortlessly, and never forgets that the heart of the novel is one of pure, simple love.
Rating:
Summary: Still the best
Review: This is still the best works of fiction written in the last two centuries. There's a reason this book is still in print and selling: it's because it is well written and comes from the heart. Below is my reading list of favorite Southern lit:To Kill A Mockingbird
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
The Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens
Sanctuary--Faulkner
Look Homeward Angel Granted, some of these are long and they're not all on the same level, but all are great and should be read at least once.
Rating: 
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird
Review: "It's a sin to kill a mockingbird." These words were said by Atticus Finch to his children Jem and Scout. The theme of the book was set around this quote. I enjoyed this book because of the way it progresses. Unlike alot of books, it follows the lives of the Finch family over a time period of two to three years. It shows how everyone matures physically and emotionally. The book is very descriptive, letting the reader picture the story as it is happening. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Atticus Finch is in court defending a young black man accused of raping a white girl. Many of the people in the community dislike Atticus for taking the case. The one person who stuck by him through the whole case was his son Jem. Jem was worried after his father had an incident with Mr. Ewall, the father of the girl who was raped. In a conversation with his son, Atticus says, "So, if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewall one extra beating, thats something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I rather it be me than that housefull of children out there." (pg. 211) This really showed that Atticus is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. He risks his family and reputation for one man. The part that I thought was very significant, happened towards the end. Scout said, "Naw, Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." (pg. 227) This shows that Scout is a better person than the rest of her community to stand up for what she thinks is right. She thought that whites and blacks were equal. She also showed good character for respecting her father for the man that he was, which was honest and hard working. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all readers.
Rating:
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird
Review: I enjoyed reading To Kill A Mockingbird. Not only was this novel immediately interesting, but it taught important lessons about life. One of those lessons, was overcoming racism. Throughout the novel Tom Robinson is the obvious example of racism, but less obvious, is the treatmeant of Boo Radley. Boo is not treated poorly because of his skin color, but because he is considered an "outkast". Throughout the novel Scout has to learn to recognize racism, and to realize that society's views of people are not always correct. A quote that shows Scout being taught this is found in Chapter 3 on page 33, when Atticus states "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
Another major roll in this novel was the developing innocence of the children. Throughout the novel we are viewing Scout's morals developing into a more "grown-up" point of view. At first, Scout plays games with her brother Jem and neighbor Dill, mocking the Radleys. However, as the novel progresses, she starts to think of Boo Radley as a human being, instead of a form of entertainment.
Another roll in this novel was played by scoical standings. The importance of social standings constantlt understand the ignorance of the townspeople. I believe that the quote said by Atticus in Chapter 10 page 109, "Remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird," shows that Atticus wants his children to understand that people should be given their privacy, and not discussed throughout the town because of their short comings.
Other than the lessons in this book, another great aspect of it is the setting. The town is introduced in Chapter 1 on page 2, as "An old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it." I believe that this quote was the perfect way to describe Maycomb. It shows that at first, the town is innocent, like Scout, but also foreshadows that the town, and Scout will develope into a more comlex exisctence. Anoher important part of this book was the characters. The characters were well developed and were very complex. I felt like the Finches were a real life family, one that I could truly understand, and one that over the course of the novel I actually grew to care about.
If you enjoyed reading To Kill A Mockingbird, then I would recommend the book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou. The plot about racism is similar and the styles of writing are equally intriguing.
Rating:
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird
Review: To Kill A Mockingbird, is one of my all time favorite books. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading and a good book. I think that all of us who have read the book love the fact that the main character and narrator is a little southern girl named, Scout. The whole book is seen through the eyes of this witty tomboy and this makes the book truly enjoyable. The story is about two children, Scout and Jem, and their journeys over the next two summers. During the summers the children learn major life lessons and what it is really like to live in the southern part of the United States, where racism and segragation is still very present. Harper Lee does a wonderful job of using symbolism and protrays each character as if they were real. This book is definatly the MUST read book of this century. On a more personal note, this is actually my favorite book. Lee does a wonderful job of protraying each character and makes you feel like you are right there with them. This book was almost like a slap in the face for me, before I read it, I wasn't really mature enough to understand what it was like to live in the south, and after reading it, I finally realized all the trouble and pain that the African-Americans has to go through. For me personally this is the second most influential book, only coming second to the Bible. I definatly think that ever child should be made to read this book because it teaches so many needed life lessons and it is so much easier for a child to understand these lessons because they are being told by a child and it is brought down to our level of understanding.
Rating: 
Summary: i hate this book!
Review: there are a lot of great books out there but i just hate this book .. when you start reading the novel it becomes really boring not to mention how long it is. I would recommend "the catcher in the rye"
Rating:
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird
Review: To Kill A Mockingbird is a must read. It is a story of two children Jem and Scout from Maycomb County growing up and experiencing new things. Engenius and talented, these two explore Maycomb through couple of summers, learning and developing. Harper Lee uses very good symbolism and portrays the characters in a style that the characters seem to be really alive.
Exciting and mysterious this book will take you down to the the south where you will experience racism and compromise. Each day for the two characters is an adventure and their wise father and many neighbors make life exciting, especially Arthur Radley. The two experience loss, hatred, love, and understanding and they soon realize their place in the world and why things happen.
Rating:
Summary: A Lesson Worth Learning
Review: I can't help but feel left out that I did not read this in high school. It is a general fixture of our nation's required elementary literature and it took me almost thirty years to finally get around to reading it. By elementary, I do not mean to imply by any means that it is simple, but that it is deemed an essential work. Having read the book, I absolutely concur with the traditional importance of this literature. Unfortunately, reading it as an adult, without the benefit of proximity in age to the protagonist, I realize too readily what is taking place with out the curious, yet provincial blinders, children wear. Regardless, it is fascinating, stepping in to the shoes of a grade school child, vicariously viewing the impetuous times of racial friction and economic disparity with their inveterate innocence.
Scout Finch, the friendly, but brash young girl narrating the novel, unknowingly, yet expertly captures the strife and unrest of the late-Depression South in an insouciant account of her summer adventures with her brother and visiting best friend. Rather than outraged and indignant, Scout is perplexed and sometimes even amused by the matters afflicting the adults of Maycomb, Alabama. Her confusion, born from acrimonious racial relationships and bitter class struggle between Southern whites, may be a more appropriate reaction than our adult indifference. Rather than ponder what it is in human nature that inspires this hegemony, we display an unquestioning willingness to repeat history, time and again, and dominate and inflict hardship on one another to secure our own personal survival. Ironically, Scout's childish ignorance, evinces a keen wisdom, as she attempts to grapple with the events besetting her courageous and virtuous father. Her father Atticus, embroiled in controversy over providing the legal defense to a black man accused of raping a white woman, is an integral part of her unique and enlightened maturation. Also, his pragmatic, yet optimistic attitude makes an excellent foil to Scout's youthful idealism.
As we follow her escapades we realize the absurdity of the hatred, violence, and contempt we have for one another. Rather than bask in the summer sun, frolicking the summer away with swims in lakes, and (...)camaraderie, we purposefully clash with our fellow man and surround our lives with worthless turmoil. Maybe we can learn more from children, then they from adults.
Rating:
Summary: MORE LAWYERS LIKE ATTICUS NEEDED
Review: This beautiful story has it all if you love GOODNESS, TRUTH AND BEAUTY. I will not repeat what has been said here hundreds of times but only offer my humble opinion on one thing. Atticus cared more about TRUTH and JUSTICE than he did about the opinions of neighbors and the world. If you would like to read a non-fiction that could have been written by Atticus, please consider HOW TO SAVE AMERICA AND THE WORLD. It was written by a lawyer who, like Atticus, cares more about Truth than money and popularity.
Rating:
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird
Review: After reading the phenominal novel "To Kill A Mockingbird", I can definitely understand why it has been named a classic. This book is packed with lessons and morals, has great character development, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this novel is because I admired the character Atticus, for his good character and strong convictions. He was presented with defending an African American man in an extremely segregated town, and although it was guaranteed he would lose no matter how convincing his trial was, he still took it on as if he had a fair chance of winning, and put up an amazing argument. I also loved how he put his heart into his trial, and really stood up for his belief against prejiduce. Even with practically the whole town believing themsleves superior to people of other colors, Atticus had good morals, and fought for what was just.
Scout was another character I particularly liked, because she was rambunctious, stubborn and independant. She demonstrated how a young girl can really make a difference and have an impact on peoples lives. Gem also showed unique character changes as he went through adolescence throughout the novel. His personailty starting off soft and kind and then trasnforming to tough and boyish was an example of great character development, and amusing as well.
Overall this book taught me so much about standing up for what you believe in and the realities of prejiduce. I also learned from Boo Radley that you cannot judge a person until you know them. The trial also intrigued me because I have an interest in law. The only reason I would not give it 5 stars is because some parts were slow and uninteresting, where it was hard for me to read on. Aside from that minor negative, so much can be derived from this novel and I definitely reccomend it.
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