Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Mockingbird Summer by Lynda Rutledge

Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Which parts of the story could only have taken place in the 1960s, and which sections are more universally true of childhood, in your opinion? Are there things or actions mentioned in the book that no longer exist or have changed significantly over time? If you grew up in the 1960s, which sections of the novel reminded you of your own childhood?
2. Corky is told by her father that she can be anything she wants, while also overhearing him refuse permission to her mother to get a part-time job. How do you feel this affects Corky? Do you believe the mixed messages have any impact on the person she becomes by the end of the book?  
3. Corky's mother tells her that as an adult, "you've got to have people like you to do anything as a woman." What do you make of this statement? Was this true in the 1960s? Is it true today?
4. Mrs. Yoakum tells Corky, "A book, like music, is very personal.  You bring yourself, your own story, to everything you read." In what ways is this reflected in Mockingbird Summer? Have you found it to be true in your own reading and if so, how? Are there books you associate with a certain time in your life?
5. Mrs. Delacourt tells Corky that "In big times of change, normal is what is being changed." Do you think this is true? What "normal" changes over the course of the book? What "normal" has changed in your own lifetime?
6. Noah Boatwright IV sold his family's property, making a fortune in the process. He expects his wealth, combined with his family name, will give him power in "his" town. How much do you think he was respected in High Cotton? What role does wealth play in today's world?
7. At several places in the book it's mentioned that young people are the ones pushing for change, and we've seen that today as well. Why do you suppose that is?  
8. America looks at potentially competing in the Olympics as an impossibility due to finances.  Corky, on the other hand, thinks worrying about money doesn't make sense, that "being the best in the world was all that mattered." Do you feel America should have done more to become a world-class runner or do you feel her concerns were justified?  What about Corky's viewpoint?  
9. Pursuing one's dream is a major theme throughout the novel.  Which of the characters do you feel were in the process of pursuing their dream?  Which were successful and which weren't, in your opinion?  At what point should you listen to others' opinions about your intended path?  At what point do you abandon your dream, if ever?
10. Corky is confused by America's reaction to To Kill a Mockingbird, and thinks, "Stories weren't supposed to make readers mad.  Were they?" What's your opinion on this?  Are there books that have made you angry?
11. The author opines that "every life has a smattering of days that change everything."  Do you agree?  Do you recall having a moment that changed everything for you?
12. Later in life, Corky writes that "it's strange how close you can feel to someone after knowing them only a short time compared to people you never get close to despite knowing them for years." What do you think drew Corky to America? Do you believe the feeling was mutual? Do you feel Corky's statement is true, and if so, what do you suppose causes such bonds to form?
13. Corky believes that the summer of 2020 was, in some ways, like the summer of 1964. What leads her to draw this comparison? Do you agree with her?
14. Corky writes that "while a journalist's job is to tell what is true, a novelist's job is to tell what is truth." What's your interpretation of this statement? Do you agree with it?
15. Corky feels a lot of guilt throughout the story – for offending America, her grandfather's snake bite, and events after the ball game, among other things.  Do you believe she bears any blame for the negative events in the story?  As a thirteen-year-old, were there things she could have done differently to change the outcome?
16. Mack, Corky, Pastor Pete and Coach Trumbull (among others) work to help America succeed.  Why do you suppose each is so intent on pushing her in that direction?  Do you think they were right or wrong to encourage her so strongly?
17. What scenes struck a chord with you?  Are there any quotes in the book that you found meaningful?

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Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Lake Union Publishing. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.