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

No doubt, the novel is geared toward young adult readers. However, today’s young adult readers would not read this book unless it would be for a school assignment. There is not enough fantasy or suspenseful action in the story for preteens or early teens. It seems to be a historically accurate novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and appreciate BookBrowse for the advance copy. It would definitely have made it on my "to read" list but considering the length who knows when I would have gotten around to it.
I thought the author did a wonderful job making you feel like you are there with the characters, just like she did in West with Giraffes which I loved!
I could definitely relate to this book because I was the same age as America and Black. I remember getting books from the library because unlike High Cotton, it wasn't an issue. I clearly remember some of the historical events mentioned, and the songs. Finally, I love baseball so the details about the big game made me feel like I was a part of it.
I look forward to her next novel.

A good read. Good to read about the perspective from these young adults as they dealt with Racism and women coming into their own. I was the age of Corky and living in California had no idea the amount of serration that existed in the rest of the country. Having to enter the drugstore from different doors made a point.

This is the third book I have read by Lynda Rutledge. I find her writing style and subject matter to my liking. It is very difficult to find really good fiction books to read that are not about dysfunctional characters, violence, or bodice burners.

Mockingbird Summer is very authentic about the culture and characters actions from the young adults in the 1950s and 1960s.

I feel the reading audience would be women 65 years in age and up, as well as, for the daughters, granddaughters, and even great-granddaughters of older women & men. This book will give the reader a better understanding of the mores and culture in this time period. Why their parents or grandparents act and talk regarding moral, ethics, and concerns of present use of drugs. The present options open to all due to the changed culture of acceptance of racial, gender and sexual orientation on the east and west coast states and college communities. I don’t live in the South or Midwest any longer, I do not know of the culture of the people in those areas today.

Chapter 9 about the Dairy Dip in small towns, was right on. I grew up in a small town in Ohio of 10,000 versus 2500 in Texas. The culture was definitely based on school, church, fraternal organizations, family, school sports for all the residence of the community. With the teachers and coaches known and participating with all the residents. The participation by police and most everyone knew the officers.

Most drug stores had soda fountains and some served light meals. I worked in a drug store in high school after school and Saturdays. Though no soda fountain, but the prescriptions were filled as described and we has a young African American man who delivered drugs/supplies/filled prescriptions to the hospital, doctors’ offices and patients.

The racial prejudices were more defined in the Texas town, than in western Ohio. Our schools were integrated with a few American America students who were well regarded and integrated in all sports and activities.

Chapter 19 was my favorite chapter about the baseball game where the author follows inning by inning the action of the players. What a fun read!

The relationship between Kate and America was delightful.

I thought it was a very enjoyable coming of age book. It gave a clear understanding of the racial divide that existed in the late 1950's and into the 1960's. The characters were believable, I enjoyed the friendship between Corky and America. The women's changing role was also vital to the story. The Times They Are A Changing! The setting was realistic. The fact that the railroad tracks (Northside vs. Southside) played a vital part in the story made the story all the more involved. The town itself with the pharmacy, Dairy Dip Ice Cream store, the High school and the playing fields, and the churches could be any small-town USA. And the description of the town peoples were everyday people trying to live their lives while trying to be open to the changing forces they faced. There is always the exception, the few that cannot except change and expect their lives to continue as always, while change is inviable and necessary.

I enjoyed the book and appreciated the characters, but sometimes it had too many details that were unnecessary. I feel West With Giraffes was more engaging.

I could have written almost exactly what Joang did. I found myself tearing up at the end and also would like the story from Americas point of view (hint hint to-the author)
I loved her West with Giraffes and Mockingbird Summer and wait for her next one.

Back again. I was 14 in 64 so the first kiss and hiding hickeys are fond memories
Then my parents ruined my life and moved the seven of us to Texas at the beginning of my junior year. We drove from Massachusetts to Dallas the long way (is there a short way?) and I saw colored only signs on water fountains and bathrooms for the first time. I was clueless. My high school was segregated and again I was clueless. It integrated in ‘68 after I graduated! So I understood how Corky would be clueless. I think this book is good for all ages. Either before or after they read To Kill a Mockingbird.

I enjoyed it. It made me want to read To Kill a Mockingbird again. Growing up in small town Oklahoma, I could relate to the atmosphere. I think it could be a good book club read for adults or maybe a mother/daughter book club.

I LOVED West With Giraffes, but did not feel this book was anywhere close to that one. I only picked it up due to the author. I agree it was definitely written in YA style and so for me that dropped it's rating by full stars. I lived thru this era and being a bit older remember much of it. It was not the amble down memory road as others had, but I believe the author got some things right. Overall, not that enjoyable for me.