To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel released in 1960. 

The story follows Jem and Scout Finch who live in 1933 Maycomb, Alabama. Jem and Scout are children trying to navigate growing up in the prejudiced environment of Maycomb, Alabama. Scout personally struggles to conform to Aunt Alexandra’s ideas of what a lady should be. Aunt Alexandra takes her to tea parties to make her more ladylike. There she learns what it would be like for her to become a housewife. She is frequently ridiculed there for being masculine. Meanwhile a recurring theme for Jem throughout the book is that he wants to become a man. He tries to make the High School football team while he’s still in grade school and is rejected for being too slender and young. 

The main conflict occurs when Atticus has to defend Tom Robinson in court. Tom Robinson has been accused of rape by Mayella Ewell. The Finch’s are harassed by many people throughout the book because they disapprove of Atticus defending Tom Robinson. Maycomb, Alabama is a small town where everyone knows each other and their living situation. This is demonstrated when Miss Caroline Scout’s first grade teacher tries to give money to Walter Cunningham for his lunch. The whole 1st grade classroom watches in shock as they all know that the Cunninghams don’t take handouts. This is also true for when Atticus defends Tom Robinson in court. Scout ends up getting in a fistfight because one of her classmates is making fun of her dad for defending him in court. 

Boo Radley is a source of mystery for the children throughout the story. He lives alone and rarely goes outside. Jem and Scout attempt to talk to Boo Radley, throughout the story although their attempts seem to consist more of harassment. As they don’t understand that a man would want to be left alone. Throughout the book Scout and Jem get to see both sides of Maycomb, Alabama. Aunt Alexandra shows them the privileged and prejudiced side of the city. Meanwhile Calpurnia takes the opportunity to take the children to a black church. 

To Kill A Mockingbird is a good look into America's past. Harper Lee does a good job conveying a realistic perspective of a child growing up. Jem and Scout have many myths or tall tales that they have made up. The children also have to learn why people have their beliefs throughout the story. The children also get to see how prejudiced the court system is when they watch Atticus defend Tom Robinson. This book can be a hard and confusing read at times. There was a lot of vocabulary that was new to me. Jem and Scout being children make a lot of irrational decisions throughout the book, these make them feel more human and it is good writing. Although I found myself wanting to put the book down from the second hand embarrassment. 

Overall, this book is a good read and has a diverse set of characters for you to empathize with. I recommend it to people who want to learn about the environment of America in the 1930s and are okay with reading a book set in the perspective of children.