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Summary

In a sleepy town in Alabama, two children find themselves navigating a world filled with racism and prejudices. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a must read for everyone. Two children, Scout Finch and her older brother Jem, are exposed to the racist ways of life in the South after the Great Depression. When a black man is falsely accused of raping a white girl by Bob Ewell, Atticus Finch must argue in his favor, despite all the dangers and setbacks. Through the eyes of Scout and Jem, Harper Lee explores the roots of racism and irrational biases against color and class. When I read this novel in sixth grade, I took the meaning of this novel at a very shallow level. However, one year later, I found myself reading it again in the beginning of quarantine. This time however, I understood the deeper meaning of the novel; what Harper Lee was truly trying to get across. This novel would be my favorite classic as of yet. A tale that touches upon several of society’s issues such as sexism, racism, class, and the evil side of nature, To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming of age novel that follows the changes in Scout and Jem as they lose their childhood innocence after being exposed to inequality. This novel is highly relevant in today’s day and age. As the Black Lives Matter movement picks up speed, I believe it is very important to revisit Harper Lee’s masterpiece to observe her thoughts, which were way ahead of her time. A highly educational book intertwined with humor and sarcasm, To Kill a Mockingbird is full of literary devices that allow the reader a chance for reflection. A great example would be a quote in the words of Atticus Finch. “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Age Rating: 12+ Rating: 4.5/5 - Anusha Upadhyayula