This tale of growing up in the Deep American South in the 1930’s is a wonderful classic. Scout (Jean Louise) and her big brother Jem (Jeremy), live with their father, Atticus Finch. Their housekeeper Cal is practically part of the family, helping raise them with honesty, good values and respect for others.

Scout is a tomboy, good with her fists from young, the worst insult Jem giving her being called a girl. She loves hanging out with Jem and Dill, a boy who comes to stay in their small town of Maycomb every summer. Their favourite adventures revolve around a man who no one has seen since he was a teenager 20 years or more ago.

Boo (Arthur) Radley’s existence in the old Radley house at the end of the street is like a gift remaining unopened. They want to see him in real life! Cal and their dad, (who they call by his first name), tell them to stay away from the Radley place, and it’s only after they get a fright that they listen.

Other things are happening in Maycomb, and Jem and Scout begin being bullied. Atticus is a lawyer and is defending a black man accused of attacking a white woman. According to everyone around them, his work is shameful in the extreme, but Atticus explains in his clear, calm way why it is important to him.

The children adore their father and are about to learn lessons that will stick with them (and you, long after you’ve finished this story) about tolerance, prejudice, gossip and goodness.

To be able to capture all the feeling of this classic novel in graphic novel format is remarkable. It inspired me to read the original novel all over again. Loved it.

Author – Harper Lee    Adapted and illustrated – Fred Fordham

Age – 12+

(Deep South, 1930’s, Black Civil Rights, Courtroom, Crime, Prejudice, Racism, Small town, Growing up, Siblings, Friends, Mystery, Tolerance, Historical, Classic)