Module 15 To Kill a Mockingbird

Lee, Harper. (2006). To Kill a Mockingbird [sound recording]. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Summary:

“Scout Finch, daughter of the town lawyer Atticus, has just started school; but her carefree days come to an end when a black man in town is accused of raping a white woman, and her father is the only man willing to defend him” (SAPL, 2011).

Review:

From Publishers Weekly“Starred Review.
Lee's beloved American classics makes its belated debut on audio (after briefly being available in the 1990s for the blind and libraries through Books on Tape) with the kind of classy packaging that may spoil listeners for all other audio books. The two CD slipcases housing the 11 discs not only feature art mirroring Mary Schuck's cover design but also offers helpful track listings for each disk. Many viewers of the 1962 movie adaptation believe that Lee was the film's narrator, but it was actually an unbilled Kim Stanley who read a mere six passages and left an indelible impression. Competing with Stanley's memory, Spacek forges her own path to a victorious reading. Spacek reads with a slight Southern lilt and quiet authority. Told entirely from the perspective of young Scout Finch, there's no need for Spacek to create individual voices for various characters but she still invests them all with emotion. Lee's Pulitzer Prize–winning 1960 novel, which quietly stands as one of the most powerful statements of the Civil Rights movement, has been superbly brought to audio” (Amazon, 2011).

Impression:

I chose this book after reading the biography of its author, Harper Lee. Of course, I had heard of it and knew it was made into a motion picture with Gregory Peck and Robert Duvall. I knew it was critically acclaimed and figured it was time to read what all the fuss was about. I did not realize that it was a banned book but could see why due to the use of the “N” word. I actually listened to the audio book and have to admit that I winced every time the “N” word was said. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and felt that the language used was appropriate for the time period it took place.

Library setting:

I would engage students in a discussion in why they think the book was banned and if they would agree with that label. I would also challenge them to read other “banned” books and give their own insight into why the books were banned.

Amazon. (2011). [Review of the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee] Amazon. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harper-Lee/dp/0060888695



San Antonio Public Library (2011). [Summary of the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee]. Retrieved from
http://sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/record=b1576933~S1