To Kill a Mockingbird

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Summary: Another timeless American classic
Review: First read this one in High School as required reading for English, and with no regrets. Timeless classic.

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Summary: has true meaning
Review: This is a book that everyone can relate to... it takes place around maybe the mid-1900s... the book has lines to ponder to find the real underlying meaning. some parts can be slow, but overall it is a book for people who will appreaciate excellent literature.

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Summary: You have to read this book!
Review: The story is about a girl, Scout, growing up in a very small town. Her father takes a case that will change their family's whole life. It is witty and deep, all at once.It is the absolute best book in the world. The way Harper Lee narrates this book in a growing girl's point of view is fantastic. You'll never be able to put the book down!

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Summary: A Must Read for All!
Review: To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely the best novel I have ever read. I did a book report on it last year and expected it to be like any other book I had read that year, but I was in for a surprise. I found every page to have a deeper meaning, than it appeared, that clued the reader in on how one should live life, or what the "real world" is really like. This is a book that everyone can benefit from reading. The values and emotions exposed in this book are too great to tell about. One must read this book to understand the depth of its greatness. This is terrific book for book reports, but also an excellent choice for personal enjoyment as well. If you have not read this book then you are truly missing out.

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Summary: Great Read
Review: Though I read this book a while ago, I still remember it being one of the best. When you have a good conversation with others who have read it, it will enhance the book.

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Summary: OK for middle-school students
Review: Harper Lee has written a book that shows us the cruelty of the human being towards the black man and those who support him very clearly through the eyes of a child. Lee makes the book easy to relate to for a middle-school student, but then drones on with long, hard to comprehend speeches that bore the reader. However, Lee then fills the book with small bits of suspense that leave you on the edge of your seat. The details are vivid, and paint a good picture of what she is talking about. Lee uses strong characterization so you feel as if you know the characters, but then kills many of them off very quickly. Lee however teaches good life lessons with themes you can relate to, but uses poor transitions between them. In the end I feel this is a fairly good book for a middle-school student and give it three-and-a-half stars.

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Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird: A book of Symbolism
Review: To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb Country. It is a small town where everyone knows each other and is fairly close. The book is told in first person from Scout Finch's point of view. Her, her brother Jem and her father Atticus Finch live in a house in Maycomb with their black servant Calpurina. Atticus, who is a lawyer, is hired to defend a black man in court who was accused for raping a white women. Although Atticus is uneasy about defending the man, he knows it is the right thing to do, although the whole town talks about him behind is back for years to come, calling him a n**** lover. The
family finds out what it is like, to stand up for what you believe in. This is somewhat hard for Scout and Jem because of their short tempers however they try their best to be the
better person and look away when people call their father names. The book also shows Jem and Scout and how they grow up over the years with exciting tales, adventures and
journeys. Their memories and tales are irreplaceable. Most of this excitement is over the summer with their friend Dill, who comes to Maycomb every summer to stay with his
aunt. The three children go about the years, wondering about the mysteries of Boo Radley the Finch's neighbor, who hasn't been seen to anyone in the town in many years, rumor
has it he is dead. Together they encounter childhood adventures, which don't seem so dramatic when they grow up, however at the time were very important. The main focus in the book is on the loss of innocence and also bravery.
This book is extremely well written, and has many strengths. One technique used in Harper Lee's writing that is extremely effective is symbolism. In fact, it is such a big
part of Lee's writing that even the title of her book is the united symbol throughout the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird is a very meaningful phrase in the book. For example when
they explain why you should never kill a mockingbird in the middle of the book,"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't next in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." The mockingbird represents innocence throughout the novel. Since the basic theme is the loss of innocence, the characters are
saying that you should never loose the innocence, kill an innocent bird. In the book so many things end up to be not as innocent, so different then they are thought to be in the
beginning. For example the town of Maycomb was such a sweet little innocent town. Everyone was friendly, it was the perfect life. However in the ending we realize that truly
Maycomb and the people who did live there were not so innocent, but in fact extremely racist. This entire part of the book that makes you wonder about what the title and the theme really do mean, is a great strength in the book.
Another strength in To Kill a Mockingbird is the ending. So many different events occur in the book and the ending ties everything together. The ending is not happy,
however it gives you a reassurance that everything is going to be all right and there are almost no unanswered questions. Even Scout who is still but a child has many of her
questions about life almost figured out, and has been throughout many experiences people her age might never be in. "As I made my way home I thought, Jem and I would get grown but there wasn't much else left for us to learn, except possibly algebra."
This book did not have many weaknesses at all. The beginning is a little slow moving however. For example some things are explained in detail that have no meaning to
the plot or story line. For example some of the scenes at school , and some of the scenes over their first summers with Dill. Other than that there are no weaknesses.
Over all, I think this was one of the best novels I have ever read. Not only does it have a wonderful and in depth plot, but the characters in it seem like you could be there
friends. They are described with so much detail, that when you are done reading, you want to read more about what happens to them. For example does Scout ever become ladylike, and do more people in the town except Atticus for defending the Negro, Tom Robinson in court. After reading this novel you feel like you can do anything you put your heart to, and you can stand up for what you believed. This is so because every character does this
sometime in the book.

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Summary: MOCKINGBIRD EXPOSE
Review: As a teenager, I am enthralled by a book I can relate to, wether it be through characters, situations, themes or attitudes. This is a book which I have found is very difficult to relate to as a 15 year old. The content, while being captivating, has no relevance to me, as the characters are either under the age of 12, or over 50. I believe that most would disagree with this opinion, but any teenager wanting to read a book about injustice should read either Bryce Courtenay's JESSICA or Adeline Yen Mah's FALLING LEAVES. I believe these are truly inspirational books.

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Summary: Best Book Ever Written
Review: To Kill A Mockingbird is perhaps the best written novel in American History. Author Harper Lee takes readers back to the deep south with her descriptive writing. Jem, Dill and Scout are unforgettable characters along with Atticus providing a positive role for the three careless youths. This book will take one back to their childhood days where everyone lived by an old spooky house such as the Radley's. Harper Lee vividly describes the innocence of the children through Scout who is the narrator for the novel. This book is a must read. One that you will want to read again and again.

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Summary: Wow!
Review: I was blown away by this book! I read it in sophomore honors English class, and I absolutely adored it! I don't understand how anyone could find it boring or pointless, like a couple reviews I've read on here. Of course, then again, those reviews were posted by teens who had to read it in English class, which doesn't do justice to the beauty of the book. Harper Lee doens't just write about the racist factor; she writes about life. Having it from the point of view of eight-year-old Scout was a stroke of literary genius! Beautiful!