To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the finest novels ever written. Harper Lee tackles some of the toughest issues of the time (and our time) with warmth, humor, and common sense. She does so almost effortlessly by telling the story through the eyes of smart and sassy six-year-old Jean "Scout" Louise Finch and simultaneously using the narrator's father, Atticus Finch, as a moral authority who is masterful at helping his children make sense of a senseless world (and helping us in the process).

The plot and characters are loosely based on Lee's observations of her family, neighbors, and an event that occurred near Monroeville, Alabama, in 1936. Harper was ten years old at the time, which may explain why Scout is mature before her years.

The story tackles prejudice by reputation as Scout, her brother Jeremy, and their friend Dill become fascinated by the reclusive Arthur "Boo" Radley; and it tackles racial prejudice as their family is subjected to ridicule and rumor after Atticus takes on a case to defend a black man accused of raping a young white woman. He believes in following one's conscience, even in the face of social ostracism. By the end of To Kill A Mockingbird, you will too.