Celebrating 50 Years of Mockingbird

This month America celebrates the 50-year anniversary of one of the staples of our literary history – To Kill a Mockingbird. Many 8th and 9th graders read this as part of the standard curriculum, as it is a classic in American Southern literature, broaching themes of bias toward race, class, education and gender.

I have a special affinity toward the 50th anniversary celebration. Over the last couple of years my uncle has fostered what has been deemed an unlikely friendship with Harper Lee. Their relationship has been written about in the July issue of Southern Living, which takes note of the anniversary. I am tremendously jealous – of the friendship, that is.

But regardless, I, too, will mark the occasion with a re-reading of the book, one that I haven’t picked up since I taught it more than 10 years ago. So join me, as well as the readers of Capricious Reader and many others as we all collectively celebrate an American and Southern literary milestone.

Congratulations, Harper Lee (Nelle – as she is known to friends), on this historical literary event! We all appreciate your contribution to our devotion.