Join Steamboat's community read. Get your free sticker.
To Kill A Mockingbird…
Your first read?
Your first encounter with the book and its issues?
A memorable debate?
A susrprising re-reading ?
What are your memories, thoughts and impressions of Harper Lee’s classic Amercian novel?
Please post your story here, anonymous or signed, to share with your ONE BOOK STEAMBOAT community.
We’ll also be printing these stories and posting them on the To Kill A Mockingbird display inside the Bud Werner Memorial Library, next to the front desk.
If you prefer to leave a hand-written note, stop by the display to leave your story on one of the note cards in person. Or email your story to jlay@steamboatlibrary.org and we’re happy to post it in the blog and on the ONE BOOK board for you.
ONE BOOK Steamboat 
Steamboat’s first ONE BOOK story of an encounter with To Kill A Mockingbird is in!
Child patron Charlie Atticus Reisman reports (with his father’s permission) that his mother chose his middle name after the character Atticus Finch.
I have taught TKAM for many years at the high school level. To keep my presentation fresh each year, I concentrate my own study on a different character as I re-read it along with my students. Jem is hands down my favorite character. Thanks to Harper Lee for this enduring piece of American literature!
As a teacher, I am honored to introduce my students to Harper Lee and the world of To Kill a Mockingbird. When my students understand the true meaning of why it’s “a sin to kill a Mockingbird,” their eyes are opened to a world of social and racial injustice. The novel provides me an opportunity to teach tolerance in a sometimes intolerant world.
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
The courtroom scene had me reading past midnight…and oh how I wanted the jury to do the right thing…! — Chris
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
Out of the thousands (no exaggeration) of books I have read, I would place TKM in my top ten list. Remarkable read, one that I’m sure Harper Lee thought was everything she could say in one book and could not surpass in a subsequent book. — Tom Duncan
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
I have read this book many times and when I had to downsize and give away all of my books this book is one of only 5 fiction books that I kept. — Fran C.
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
My first reading of To Kill A Mockingbird was in my high school American literature class in 1967. Mr Lichti guided us through this book in a masterful way. He encouraged us all to “walk in the skins” of all the characters. I have had the opportunity to teach it many times, and I try my best to stay true to this important message of empathy for all. It was a bold move for Mr. Lichti to choose this book in 1967 in small town Indiana. Things were really heating up with civil rights and Viet Nam. This was important for me to read at that time in my life. This novel helped to shape my values as a young adult. — Anonymous
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
I remember Gregory Peck, and I remember the feeling of moral outrage. — Anonymous
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
I chose my parents from literature!
I love Atticus!
–Anonymous
A librarian should never have to admit that in all her years she never got around to reading “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but alas I must admit this holds true for me. I just finished it this morning and must say it is the best book I have ever read – an absolute masterpiece. That a novel, written from a child’s point of view, can reveal so many moral truths without boring the reading and feeling too staged is simply astounding. This is a book I will read time and time again to remind myself of the type of person I long to be. My new mantra – “What would Atticus do?”
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
I was FORCED to read To Kill A Mockingbird in high school — one of the best things that I’ve ever HAD to do!
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
Several years ago, two friends – both strong, intelligent women – were discussing the benefits of self-help books and counseling. One was a strong advocate of both; the other had doubts. The “doubter” told the other, “Just re-read To Kill A Mockingbird and then pattern your life on Atticus Finch! That’s all you need!”
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
Similarities to relevant issues of current times:
Most white people were not throwing rocks at windows or committing crimes against blacks, but almost none had the courage to stand up against those who were.
Most Muslims are not terrorists, but very few seem willing to risk religious consequences by turning on those who are.
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
I first read this book to my kids when they were young and three years apart in age. One questioned at Scout’s level and one at Jem’s. It was wonderful when they read it in school and all the pieces “clicked.” We watch the movie together the Friday after Thanksgiving…a holiday tradition.
–Laura A.
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
I do not kill a mockingbird!!!! – Martha
A STORY FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD…
“Hey Boo.”– One of the best lines in American Literature
I have read TKM at least twice. My book club chose it on the 50th anniversary. Also very interesting is Harpur Lee, who never wrote another book.