To Kill A Mockingbird

By Harper Lee

"It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived." - Scout Finch

What's it about?: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is set in the unassuming town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. Told from the point of view of 8-year-old Scout Finch, the story is one of racism and social divides. Scout's father, Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. In the time leading up to the trial, Atticus must stand his ground as the town's racist undercurrent rises to the surface in often violent and terrifying ways. As well, the sub-plot of Scout and her friends attempting to decode the mysterious Boo Radley adds a hint of childish curiosity to the book. Overall, this novel is a gripping tale that is as relevant now as it was when it was written over 50 years ago.

Why your child should read it: When we first began asking people what books they would recommend for this list, To Kill A Mockingbird received more votes than any other. For a large percentage, it marks the first time they're made aware of the horrors, senselessness and consequences of racism. Yet the book is not preachy, in part because it's told from the perspective of an innocent child. The true appreciation of Lee's classic comes when the reader understands that half a century after the publication of the novel, Scout's questions are still being asked.

Click here to buy To Kill a Mockingbird