Comments on: The Mockingbird Turns 50

By: J. O'Brien

J. O'Brien — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:41:36 +0000

Dr. Phil,

It was with pleasure that I read your piece about TKAM (as teachers often call the book). I never read the book growing up, but when teaching 9th grade, I picked it up to prepare for class and was blown away. I can say this even though I had watched the movie while growing up with my family. (It’s a great movie, but it isn’t the same and the book.) It is a timeless novel. Yes, we still have a long way to go; and, true, we do have a black man in the White House, but years into his Presidency, people still will not leave him alone and let him try to do his job.

Recently I finished The Help and I found it also a novel with important messages, which provided an honest look into our nation’s past—so much of it not too pretty. I look at it as a “Mockingbird” for today. However, I believe that TKAM should be required reading for every student in America. Its beauty is its ability to speak, as you mentioned, of so many important and valuable things that we should never forget.

Thanks for celebrating this wonderful book. It is a “national treasure.”

By: Terri

Terri — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:59:30 +0000

The book that moved me the most was read when I was about 10 years old too. I remember I was home sick from school. My dad had to leave for work around 4pm and my mom wouldn’t be home till around 5:30 or 6. I was naturally afraid, being left alone, probably for the very first time, and as I lay in my parents bed I began to read A Stone For Danny Fisher. I just couldn’t stop reading it. I cried and cried, and I can’t really even remember the story much. I am now 50 years old, and one day, I must get another copy of the book and read it again!

By: Eloise Walton

Eloise Walton — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:25:14 +0000

I recently received a copy of AARP Bulletin September 2010 vol 51 no. 7 and was shocked to find a list of books banned by American schools and libraries. Among the list was Lee Harper’s “To Kill A Mockingbird”. I am so taken aback that this wonderful book and many others I have read made this list, that I felt compelled to write to Oprah and comment here on Dr. Phils site. Who are these people that decide what is acceptable for others to read and if this article is correct how dare they remove them from schools and libraries.These are classics and should be part of every curriculum.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:35:02 +0000

Hi Dr Phil , I am from Western Australia 28 yr old male,
i went and hire to kill a mocking bird because you said it was your favorite film,
and actually i needed to pay alot of attention to the movie ,if i didnt i really just lost the plot ,but after watching the movie from start to finish i would have to say it is the best movie i have seen, and alot of truth to it “Other word we all just need to try to get on! For the great a Good and remember our true savour Jesus Christ -Ben Perth Western Australia.

By: John Venable

John Venable — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:17:04 +0000

Hi Dr.Phil I love your show I watch it everyday.

By: Stephanie Libby

Stephanie Libby — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:17:35 +0000

I joined a library book club last year and the director suggested we read this as one of our books so for our meeting in October we are going to discuss that book.

By: ciaobello

ciaobello — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:27:14 +0000

I’m a fan of this wonderful book as well. As usual, it’s still better than the movie, which is great.

By: Christine King

Christine King — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:17:35 +0000

I read “To Kill a Mockingbird” when I was 16 at high school, and adored it. Just recently borrowed it from the library and as a result, decided to buy my own copy.
There are so many characters I love in the book – Atticus, Boo Radley, Scout . (Love all their names!) Most of the characters are pretty outstanding, really, even the bad ones. They’re just so powerfully described.
At the time when we were reading To Kill a Mockingbird in class, there were 2 new kids who came to school, refugees from Timor, Jose and Innes. Some members of my family were really upset with me for making friends with them, for all the same racist reasons as described in the book – and this was so, even though many in my family were war refugees themselves!! Ah, but we were white, and “Christian” so that made it OK.
Thank goodness for people like Harper Lee, who can write things like this that make people think and feel.

By: Anniken

Anniken — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:51:38 +0000

Hi DrPhil , i’m from norway, and I’m following your show!
I’m not so good at english.. But I try (:

By: FosterBoys

FosterBoys — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:56:29 +0000

Please come back from vacation soon. I went over to your Facebook page because it looks like you post there every day. Now THERE’S and angry mob. Good thing this blog has a moderator. You’d never allow the things people say to each other (and to you) to be said here. Ahh, sweet sanctuary.

Seriously, come back soon. Summer’s too boring without you.