To Kill a Mockingbird

September 17, 2018
This thoughtfully crafted interpretation of Lee’s classic reintroduces readers to the Finch family: scrappy, outspoken Scout; her daring older brother, Jem; and Atticus, their defense attorney father and the book’s moral compass. Decades-old tensions ramp up in their small Southern town when Atticus defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. Even the local recluse, Boo Radley, isn’t free from the repercussions of the trial. Fordham visually establishes the world of Maycomb County—with all its unspoken laws pertaining to race, class, and family—with a sure hand. What stands out, upon seeing Scout and her entourage of free-ranging children in all their ragtag physicality, is that a world of children exists alongside the adult world: equally complex, populated by rumors about “hot steams” (ghosts) and poisoned pecans, yet also wild with possibility. Fordham’s character drawings have an appropriate vintage look, and he chooses the right moments to slow down or pan out. The nighttime panoramas of the mysterious Radley residence are lovely and moody, and Fordham’s sun-dappled days, blue-gray evenings, and sepia courtroom scenes are dampened only by an off-the-shelf generic font. More loving remake than revelation, Fordham’s adaptation may be scrutinized by Lee’s fans, but does sufficient justice to her portrait of injustice. Full art in color not seen by PW. Agent: Andrew Nurnberg, Andrew Nurnberg Assoc.

Starred review from September 4, 2006
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 audiobooks. 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. "Available as a Perennial paperback. (Aug.)" .

December 1, 2018

Gr 7 Up{amp}mdash;Lee's classic novel is presented in comics format, reintroducing spirited Scout; her older brother, Jem; and their father, Atticus, a lawyer who serves as the story's moral center. As the Great Depression lingers in the small town of Maycomb, AL, Scout and Jem soak up their last moments of childhood innocence with their friend Dill. Beginning with the children's fascination with Arthur "Boo" Radley, their mysterious neighbor, the trio's perspective guides readers through complex issues facing 1930s Southern society. As the summer ends, the gap between innocence and experience widens for Jem and Scout as racial and gender tensions clash and bleed into the world around them. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a young white woman, and the case rapidly reveals the dark underbelly of this seemingly genteel community. Fordham deftly interprets Lee's narrative with austere artwork. His palette is muted, but the frames pack a punch with panoramic views and revealing close-ups. A note at the end explains the adaptation's use of the n-word: "The inclusion of the word{amp}mdash;its dehumanizing power and the ease with which it was used{amp}mdash;is central to understanding the themes of the novel." VERDICT The work's examination of topics such as the failure of the justice system will resonate with readers, especially those studying the source material.{amp}mdash;Elise Martinez, Zion-Benton Public Library, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2018
Grades 8-12 The themes of Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)?class strife, racial inequality, hypocrisy in our justice system?are still painfully relevant and at the forefront of American consciousness today. But just as relevant is our ability to define ourselves by our values rather than merely our circumstances, to challenge bigotry when the occasion calls for it. Perhaps because of this lingering relevance, it's fitting that this graphic novel adaptation holds fast to its source material, providing an unwaveringly faithful visual representation. Fordham's adaptation relies almost entirely on dialogue, a wise choice, considering Lee's careful use of southern dialect. His naturalistic artwork, meanwhile, is beautifully understated?graphic and expressive when needed but ultimately delicate enough to never render the narrative overdramatic. This illustrative restraint is the perfect counterpoint to the weighty subjects at play and the exceedingly complex yet nuanced characters. Like Lee's spare novel, Fordham's graphic adaptation leaves us to ponder what is unsaid, what is unseen, what lies in the subtext. A moving new take on a familiar story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

June 22, 2015
Originally scheduled for June, this impressive first novel was postponed when it was made the August selection of the Literary Guild. Miss Lee, who is a very accomplished writer, tells a story of two sensitive, intelligent children, living in a sleepy southern town where they observe hate and violence for the first time when a lynching almost takes place. Their experience teaches them to respect their fellow creatures. The book is set in the mid-1930's, but the theme, of course, is timeless. We urge booksellers to be sure to read this for themselves, lest they think it is simply another of the many first novels about the trials of adolescence. National advertising.