To Kill a Mockingbird

An important book and one that shows the problems that plagued America. A child should be old enough to comprehend quite a few things before reading this book, or watching the movie. I completely disagree with the previous "teacher" reviewer, she is a great example of why we need parents to have a say in what kind of literature is available in our kids' schools, and NOT left up to administration, teachers, etc. I do not see this as "white saviorism", and since some wish to bring color into this; as a black man, I have never hesitated recommending this book to everyone I know.

I listened to the audio with my 10 year old (Sissy Spacek read it, yes please!!) Everyone thought she was too young. She absolutely was not. She learned so much from the book about history, empathy, human nature, and justice. Now, I cried like 8 times, she didn't get a lot of the tragedy or poignancy but she loved the adventures of Scout and Jem. And she has read it twice since, the narrative voice is so appealing and real. about the rape...thats what i was concerned about. I told her the yules (sp?) Accused tom of attacking maella (sp? Again....cut me some slack, it was the audio! ) and she was satisfied with that. However, of course scout asks calpurnia "what is rape?" To which cal ingeniously responds "ask your dad"...to which atticus tells her "carnal knowledge of a woman without her consent". Thats the extent of the graphic nature of the book. As for the N word, good opportunity to teach your kid how hideous the word is and how much painful history is bwhind a word thrown around so carelessly these days. And thats not enough to sway you from reading this with your child, letting them read it and reading it yourself as an adult. An absolute work of art. Perfection.

I am also a secondary English teacher (7-12). This is a high school textbook--typically grades 10+. I would not put this book on a list that should be read by age 12. Discerning parents who believe their young'n can handle it--go right ahead. But the older the reader, the more appreciated the book will be.

I don't understand why the ratings say there is no "sex" in this book. The alleged crime is a rape! To really understand this story and grasp the significance that the author intends, the reader needs to understand what sex is and that rape is sex against someone's will and it was against the law or at least against the cultural norms of the time for a black person to have sex with a white person in the South. So why have a child who doesn't and shouldn't understand rape read this book? The story isn't just about someone who is accused of a crime like theft but didn't do it; it has way more significance than that, so if the reader misses this significance, then what is the point? Just because Scout is between the ages of 6 - 9 doesn't mean that children close to that age should be reading this. The narrator is telling it as an adult looking back. Consider what your child is ready for. There are plenty of other books for children in the meantime. I vote at least 13 years of age and maybe later when they actually have the developmental capacity to ask deeper questions and generate deeper thoughts about the intersection of sex, race, rape, prejudice, etc. Just because a child has a broad vocabulary and reads well on a technical level, doesn't mean they really understand the full meaning so why encourage it? I remember reading it as a freshman in high school and it was the right time for greater absorption of the full significance of what was going on.

very great book, many uses of the"n-word" but it fits with the time the story takes place in.

I remember reading this book when I was 8 or 9 because it was sitting on my Dad’s bookshelf and I was bored. Curious children shouldn’t be discouraged from reading it simply due to mature themes; many children understand more than adults give them credit for. Learning about injustice at a young age helped to open my eyes to it more in the lives of people around me. It also deepened my ability to imagine what another’s experience might be like, even if much different from my own.

Before I say anything else, I should start by saying I grew up loving this book. The writing and story are beautiful, and the characters are intriguing. However... I am a Humanities Curriculum Director in Massachusetts and have been a teacher for 15 years. I am a white woman. I have taught many students of color and I believe this book needs to be acknowledged for presenting only one dimensional characters of color, as well as depriving them of a voice, agency, or autonomy. The character of Tom Robinson (and his family) have to rely completely on the help of a white man, Atticus Finch, who serves as a "white savior" role. This sets up the message for readers young and old that white people are in a role of authority to "save" the black community. Though this is how social power dynamics were at the time of this story, the fact that it is written by a white woman and does not include voice or agency of people of color is problematic. I have concerns that this story provides a reflection to black students that they are powerless and voiceless, and must turn to a white person who "knows better" to save them. We need more books in our school curriculums that are culturally responsive, allowing students to see characters like them who are empowered. Additionally, we need to teach white students and adults that marginalized communities are strong, wise, and powerful, and we need to be allies to the work they are doing.

I think To Kill a Mockingbird is a great novel. Harper Lee really put together a very nice book. The characters she created in this novel are profound. The way she connects the reader to each character building up to the trial was also very brilliant. I believe there are two really big lessons that Lee teaches us through book and one is obviously to stop racism. The other is that NO MATTER the chances of your success, you have got to keep pushing. To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely a recommendation!

When I was in eighth grade, I remember reading this book. It had interesting characters like Atticus Finch, Scout Finch, Boo Radley, and Robert Ewell. Plus, it had some eighth-grade vocabulary level words such as ramshackle, arbitrate, foray, condescend, unsullied, persecute, aggravate, scurry, asinine, etc. Not to mention, the plot was cohesive and interesting and had a very nice theme and hidden message. Yes, this book might make readers uncomfortable but that is the point of the book. I would strongly recommend this book to young people who are somewhere between 7th, 8th and 9th grade(s) and beyond. This book makes my top 25 reading list.