Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historic Documents (The Greenwood Press "Literature in Context" Series) (Hardcover)

by Claudia Durst Johnson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“Will be useful to teachers and student researchers, as both journey toward a richer understanding of Lee's novel and the complex ideas society is still exploring.”–VOYA

“This is exactly what every conscientious English teacher needs. History teachers will find it exciting as well. The concept is sweeping, bold, and imaginative; the execution fulfills the concept richly. I look forward more eagerly than ever to subsequent volumes in the series.”–Robin Berson, Director Upper School Library, Riverdale Country School, New York City

Product Description
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel of such profound power that it has affected the lives of readers and left an indelible mark on American culture. This rich collection of historical documents, collateral readings, and commentary captures the essence of the novel's impact, making it an ideal resource for students, teachers, and library media specialists. Drawing on multi-disciplinary sources, the casebook places the issues of race, censorship, stereotyping, and heroism into sharp perspective. Through these documents, the reader also gains a taste for the historical events which influenced the novel as well as the novel's relevance in today's world. Among the documents which speak most eloquently are testimony from the Scottsboro Case of the 1930s, memoirs and interviews with African Americans and whites who grew up in Alabama in the 1930s, and news stories on civil rights activities in Alabama in the 1950s. More recent articles include a debate between lawyers over whether Atticus Finch was a hero, and discussions of attempts to censor the novel. Most of the documents presented are available in no other print form. Study questions, project ideas, and bibliographies are also included for ease of use in further examination of the issues raised by the novel. Thirteen historical photos complement the text.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (November 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313291934
• ISBN-13: 978-0313291937
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,032,912 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Understand the story behind the novel, July 15, 2007

By	Michael A. Hamil (Alabama) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the most comprehensive book that encompasses all the historical events surrounding the time and place of the novel. Although it is a bit pricey, you will get your moneys' worth. Invaluable teaching resource for English and History.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save $10, Buy the Real Deal Instead, May 8, 2001

By	morningstar "divanqbvm" (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

This manual is a waste of your money. You can buy both the actual book and the movie on Amazon for less than $25 combined, and they're both worth every penny....

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth a Look, October 9, 2001

By	Miss Jane "book girl" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

As a participant in this year's "One Book, One Chicago", I have read the "REAL DEAL", which is the book selected for the program's inaugural year. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and also felt I had no problems understanding the critical issues illustrated in the book. I then made the forunate decision to attend a lecture by Ms. Durst Johnson at the Chicago Public Library; a lecture based primarily on information contained in her commentary. My time was not wasted: for as much as I had indeed GRASPED about the novel, there were still many more interesting things to learn that I had not even considered. While some may consider it "beating a subject to death" (or some such nonsense), your reading experience will definitely be enhanced by referring to, but not relying on, this book's contents.