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Sep 11, 2020pacl_teens rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
"How is one to truly achieve growth if not from their recognized mistakes and misunderstandings? Whether it be historical content, the actions of others, or simply the circumstance at hand, people often jump to criticize the flaws and weaknesses of what they see on the surface rather than the complexities and unseen purpose of the trials being presented. Harper Lee tastefully begs the questions required for a brighter future for all of humanity through her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM). Lee takes readers on a breezy and nostalgic stroll through the fluctuating friendships, unsolvable “mysteries”, and injustices of early life, all while conveying strong messages of empathy, kindness, and the human perception of difference. TKAM, both a dramatic childhood narration and the country’s most popular novel relating to racism, follows life's adventures through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch in the segregated and small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Being the daughter of the town’s liberal lawyer in the 1930s, Scout is in a position to question the norms of the time period while also understanding her fellow white Southerners’ perspectives. While the novel is criticized for its simplistic portrayal of black people and questionable racial messages, it offers the valuable perspective of what fighting racism in the South looked like in the 1930s through the eyes of a white child, as well as other influential storylines revolving around critical ethical considerations. I recommend TKAM to everybody who loves to learn about history, and maybe not for someone looking for a lighter reader. I give the book 3/5 stars due to it's overall quality, historical accuracy, and historical shortcomings." -Evie, Grade 11 "“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is a book that covers important concepts such as systematic racism and discrimination. It tells the story through the eyes of Scout Finch, a young white girl in Alabama during the 1930s. Scout is the daughter of Atticus Finch, who also happens to be the left-leaning lawyer of the small town. Throughout the book, Atticus slowly but surely teaches Scout about racism, as he takes on a court case defending a Black man who was accused of raping a white girl. While Harper Lee simplifies some of the Black characters, I think Lee uses this technique to help young readers learn about this important topic. It is as though young readers can more easily understand the book's messages because the protagonist is young as well. “To Kill a Mockingbird” also has an interesting plot line, which covers themes of ethical problems and racism through the eyes of a young white girl. In my opinion, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a great way to introduce history to students who aren’t knowledgeable on the topic yet." 3/5 stars -Hannah, Grade 11