Overall, what do you think of Mockingbird Summer? (no spoilers)

Overall, what do you think of Mockingbird Summer? (no spoilers please)

I liked the concept of the book and the overall story, even more so when I read that it was based on some elements of the author's life. What I didn't like was the constant asides of what society was like in the early 1960's. I found that somewhat pedantic and almost apologetic. I feel that anyone who reads historical fiction either knows about the time period or, if they don't, the story should prompt the reader to research the time period. I feel as if the book was overedited by a "sensitivity" editor.

Overall I liked the book. I think it gave a realistic portrayal of life at that time in history. It would be a book I would recommend to young adults.

I love coming-of-age books and liked this story, however, I felt it was geared towards young adults. It does touch on many important topics, but I feel it was written simplistically. I would recommend to others and not just young adults, as this is just my take on it and others may not feel the same.

I liked the book but also agree maybe a more YA story. But beneficial for young adults who did not live through that time to get an understanding of what it was like and how different from growing up today.

I really liked this book! I am from the same era as these young characters (1964 was my summer before high school). It brought back so many related memories. I felt, through the characters, that it touched on the emotions and uncertainties that do not necessarily come through in historical facts. I could see its appeal for younger readers, but I think it can bring insight to anyone - and memories for those of us who are older.

I agree with what “ssh” says “that it can bring insight to anyone—-and memories for those of us who are older.” Even though I found it more for YA readers, I am going to an exchange-a-book fair, and this is the book I chose to exchange with another reader.

I enjoyed the book and thought it was well-written. I agree it is a YA book.

I enjoyed the book and found it thought provoking perhaps because i remember that time period and all the changes that were occurring. I felt the author blended emotion and fact well in this historical novel and in doing so engaged the reader from start to finish.

Overall, I thought this book was a "good" read, not a "great" read and would probably give it 3.5 stars. I completely agree with many of the previous comments regarding the view that this novel is best suited for young adults who have limited knowledge of the turbulent issues of this time period. I enjoy historical fiction which offers more in depth character development.

I enjoyed the book. I think it would be a great book to read and discuss along with To Kill a Mockingbird in a jr. high or high school setting. This book is a reminder of how slow societal issues are to change.

I liked the book. The story was engaging and kept me reading. I was a 60's teenager so I could identify with much of it. Perhaps it's a bit YA but I wasn't put off by that. I liked the characters. I would have liked to know a bit more of what happened in America's life after she left.

Growing up in New Hampshire during the 50's and 60's, my schools were populated with white children until I reached high school, and then there were very few brown kids. However, I did notice that the diverse kids were treated favorably. Interestingly, I grew up in a neighborhood of tenements where French Canadians and Greek people got along. Many of us knew about Jim Crow laws, and it was so horrifying to us that diverse people had to use different water fountains, not eat at the counters, and use different bathrooms. Because of the Northeast's more equal treatment, it still seems so WRONG when I read about Texas and their unfair treatment. This book spoke to me on the difficulty for America; but how wonderful Corky was to befriend her. I found I truly understood Texas in that time period--I had to keep reading to learn more. Well written as well!

This book brought back memories. I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. It accurately portrays that era in time. Although I didn’t think it was totally young adult, I would recommend the book to young adults for the historical context. The author did a great job of describing that era. I would still recommend this book to older adults as well as younger ones.

I really enjoyed the book, especially the references "To Kill a Mockingbird." I don't think there is anyone who hasn't read this book--my all time favorite, but if they hadn't read it, they wouldn't appreciate this book, hence the title "Mockingbird Summer."

I have a tendency to place it in the YA category because the author often explained the historical context pedantically and as a mature adult I didn't think it was necessary to explain in such detail.

Corky's father's drugstore was so vividly described that I was sure it was one that I had frequented in my much younger days. "..display cases of King Edward cigars; Lucky Strike cigarettes; pocketknives for all occasions; and carousels of comics, magazines, and paperbacks--along with the town's only cosmetic corner..."

The soda fountain reminded me of those I saw in newsreels with the sit-ins of that era.

I like Lynda Rutledge's writing and enjoyed this book until the last part where the baseball game became too long-drawn out for me. I REALLY wanted to know more about America's life, especially after the game was over. WEST WITH GIRAFFES is one of my favorite books and I was a bit disappointed that this book did not pull me into the story as much as that one did. As a former teacher, I liked cindyb"s idea about reading this book and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD together.

I enjoyed this book so much. Told through the voice of a thirteen-year-old girl in 1964, this is very readable. I loved her innocence. I will recommend this book to my book club for discussion.

Am I the only one not done? 😳 I’ve been sidetracked by life and am only halfway thru. I promise to finish and catch up with you all tomorrow. Great discussions so far.

I loved this book. It was a coming of age book in a tumultuous time. It was well written and the character development was outstanding. I will highly recommend this book to anyone.

The storyline and tone of the plot targeted young adult readers in my opinion and yet current young adults would still find the character of Kate "Corky" Corcoran annoyingly naive in comparison to 13 year-olds of today. Did the southern small town setting dictate the sheltered lifestyle of the Corcoran family? Perhaps, but difficult for this reader to fully accept.

I read To Kill A Mockingbird as a young girl and the book moved me. I was anxious to read Mockingbird Summer and see the correlation between the two books. I do think this book is a YA read and I would hope it would spark readers to read both books and begin to think with open minds. If a book can encourage thought and understanding I think it is worth a read.

Overall, I loved the book. It was an opportunity to time travel and visit another part of the country in the comfort of my own home. It made clear to me how much things have changed. I could see a simpler life in that time, but fewer opportunities.

I gave it 5Stars. It had the same tone as To Kill A Mockingbird. It would be intresting to have the story from a person of color

While I enjoyed the story, I felt it was written for a younger adult. Somewhat simplistic for adult historical fiction. Nothing wrong with that, just something I noted.

As most reviewers have said, this probably should be classified as a YA book. The youth of today have no idea what life was like in the era this book was written in. It brings to my mind the need to read stories about the holocaust so we are aware of what went on. As the way things are going this could easily happen again.

I agree it should be classified as a YA coming-of-age book. It tells a lot about our history as a nation at a certain time that schools do not teach even though we can all learn so much from it.

I thought the book was good. It could have been a little shorter. In my opinion there was information that wasn’t relevant like what kind of gum the coach chewed. I also didn’t enjoy the dogs point of view of what he saw in a day.

I enjoyed the book. I agree that it is a YA book. It is somewhat simplistic, but I enjoyed the characters. I was 7 when Corky was 13 so she was more my brother's age. I felt she was about as naive as I was back then but she had different life experiences due to the age difference. It was enjoyable to walk in her shoes. I appreciate any novel that will expose some of the realities of the Jim Crow era.

My favorite book of more than 60 years of reading is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' so I was very excited to read Mockingbird Summer. I enjoyed it, and particularly loved the character of Corky in all of her wonderful messiness. There were a few too many storylines for me to keep track of, and I would have liked to learn more about America's true feelings and thoughts. The book did keep me reading, and I did get emotional at the ending (which was near perfect.) This is one of those books that may have a deeper impact on me the more I think about it. I do believe Corky was right when she said, ".. a novelist's job is to tell what is truth, to create a world in which you'd want to live, in which everything is just, even if only in the end." That is what Harper Lee did so well in 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'

I had high hopes for this book since I adored Rutledge’s book West With Giraffes. I’ll admit I wasn’t as riveted by this book. Lots of unnecessary details that didn’t enhance the story line. Overall rather simplistic to be thought of as adult fiction.

I loved this book. I do think that it easily could be read by Young Adults. That being said...................they would not have understood about the growing pains of youth vs. when they are adults and reflect back. The best part, for me, began during Pastor Pete's sermon through the end of the book. After that, I wish it would have gone on forever.

I really enjoyed the book. One summer, in 1964, in Texas. A small place in time a small moment in time. This moment in time allowed us to watch as Corky "comes of age". I loved her innocence, her many questions, her love of reading. Her small world revolving around the drugstore, library, church and school. We got to watch her world expand as the issues of the time were presented to her. Racism in its purest sense. Corky's friendship with America demonstrates that racism is taught. It is not inherent. Corky was fascinated by America's speed not her color. The ugliness of it and what it does to Corky, America, Mack and the town.
I like the attempt to introduce the emerging sexuality...spin the bottle, kissing Tad, Mack's hickeys. Made me smile.
I thought that the book was very creative in its approach with a comparison, if you will, to "To Kill a Mockingbird. I agree with others who mentioned reading both books concurrently.
I thought the characters were all very well developed. You knew who they were, what made them "tick" and liked or didn't like them. I was drawn in to the mystery by the sense of foreboding. The softball was somewhat predictable and agree, it did go on a bit too long.
I loved the ending...I must admit I teared up. I, too, would like to have learned more about America during the ensuing 50 plus years...

I just read joang’s response to this question and she said it beautifully. I felt the same way.

I really enjoyed the book. I know a lot of people are categorizing it as YA and perhaps that's true but as an adult I still think it lends itself to great discussion. I recommended it to my cousin (a high school English teacher) and am considering making it my book next time it's my turn to pick for book.

I really enjoyed the book. It brought back memories of my summer job at a department store in downtown Atlanta during the same time frame as the book. To avoid sit-ins, the lunch counters were closed. I thought telling the history of the time through the friendship of Corky and America was an excellent way of conveying the segregated status of everyday life. I feel discussion of the book with my book club would be very enlightening as the majority of the members grew up in the South and would have memories similar to mine to relate.