School Library Journal Review
Gr 11 Up-Unlike Catherine Bernard's Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird (Gale/Lucent, 2003) or "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations" (Chelsea House), this text serves as a teaching tool and examines more sophisticated issues than earlier anthologies. An abbreviated listing from the table of contents is indicative of the depth and breadth of theses essays: Part 1-"Educational Approaches" includes articles on online discussions, multimedia presentations, and using soundtracks to teach the novel. Part 2-"To Kill a Mockingbird and the Justice System" contains a perspective on Southern Liberalism, the novel's influence on the legal profession, and "Bending the Law: the Search for Justice and Moral Purpose." Part 3-"Themes, Imagery and Structural Choices" looks at "paired characters," reading the book 50 years after publication, fear and Halloween imagery, the "Rigid and Time-Honored Code" of racism in sports, and symbolism. Part 4-"Social Concerns" addresses a variety of ways to view disability in the novel. Most of the 15 essays were written by scholars and educators; a few were contributed by communication specialists and an attorney. The articles regarding online discussions and soundtracks bring a completely new and fresh approach to teaching the classic. The essays on bending the law and how we look at "others" are thought-provoking. Although this excellent collection of viewpoints would be valuable to instructors, the reading level might be challenging for many high schoolers.-Joanne K. Cecere, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Central Valley, NY (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Choice Review
This volume is intended for those new to Lee's 1960 novel, and Meyer (a retired adjunct professor) begins with a section on pedagogy ("Educational Approaches"), which covers online discussions, multimedia, and music soundtracks. Part 2, "To Kill a Mockingbird and the Justice System," discusses the "limits of Southern liberalism" in protagonist Atticus Finch and real-life Alabama governor James Folsom; the book's half-century of influence on the legal profession; and the "bending" of law for the sake of "a higher moral purpose." The six essays in part 3, "Themes, Imagery, and Structural Choices," treat "paired characters," Halloween imagery, reading symbolism, and other motifs. Most noteworthy are essays on "reading whiteness" by Angela Shaw-Thornburg; "sport and identity" by Carl Miller; and the "failure of empathy" (a revisionary reading of the "walking in another's skin" theme) by Katie Rose Guest Pryal. Part 4, "Social Concerns," focuses on disability issues and the Other. Alice Hall Petry's edited collection, On Harper Lee: Essays and Reflections (CH, Nov'07, 45-1343), covers a more eclectic group of subjects and will be more useful in a college setting. Summing Up: Optional. Lower-division undergraduates, faculty, general readers. J. W. Hall University of Mississippi
Library Journal Review
Meyer (retired, English, DePaul Univ.) compiled this collection of new essays to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee's classic novel. He cast a wide net to provide an entertaining and insightful assortment of readings. The volume is divided into four parts: "Educational Approaches," "To Kill a Mockingbird and the Justice System," "Themes, Imagery, and Structural Choices," and "Social Concerns." Some essays are theoretical, while others, such as Christian Z. Goering and Cindy M. Williams's "A Soundtrack Approach to Teaching To Kill a Mockingbird," and Derek Blair and Cecilia Donohue's "Multimedia Mockingbird: Teaching Harper Lee's Novel Using Technology," provide practical and compelling ideas for teachers. Meyer's decision to have a diverse group of contributors is admirable: university professors are mixed in with an Emmy-nominated television news producer, Baptist minister, and corporate attorney. Malcolm Gladwell is the most well-known contributor, and his piece is the only reprint, having first appeared in The New Yorker. Verdict Meyer's superb assemblage will be of interest and help to high school teachers and undergraduate college instructors. General readers who are fans of the novel will also be intrigued.-Stacy Russo, Chapman Univ. Libs., Orange, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.