Shields, Charles J. I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee
New York, NY: Henry Holt, 2008. Print.
Annotation: Charles J. Shields is the author of the New York Times bestseller Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee, which he has adapted here for young adults readers. This account is his extensive research telling the life of Lee and her experiences growing up in the South that helped her create her famous book, To Kill a Mockingbird. The book shares how she got there and what happen after her book and her own life became so famous.
Review: Shields found that an encyclopedia about Harper Lee was only 3 paragraphs long. He didn’t think that justified an author with a bestseller book that was there for 88 weeks, won the Pulitzer Prize, and won 3 Academy Awards from the movie adaptation. This book unfolds the mystery after the basics (where she was born, went to school, etc.) of the life the Harper Lee. Shields describes her unique experiences and her rebellious nature to do things her way. It reveals Lee’s dedication to writing and loyalty to her family and friends, like Truman Capote. Shields writes concerning Lee’s famous book “almost from the day of its publication, Mockingbird took off and gradually left its author behind” (p.145). Shields puts us back on track to learn about this remarkable author and her life story. Great photos too!
Awards & Honors
- American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults (2009)
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
- Arizona Grand Canyon Young Readers Master List
http://us.macmillan.com/iamscout/CharlesShields
Image credit: juggle.com
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