Shields, Charles J. 2008. I Am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee.In ten wonderful chapters, the reader gets an introduction to the ever-so-fascinating author Nelle Harper Lee, author of the phenomenal To Kill A Mockingbird. I AM SCOUT by Charles J. Shields is a must-read for any one who has ever been curious about this novel and novelist. (For those that are wondering, I AM SCOUT is an adapted version of his MOCKINGBIRD. I haven't read Mockingbird. But I Am Scout is just wonderful.)
Well researched, well written, I Am Scout fascinates with every page. Did you know that "Dill" is Truman Capote? Did you realize how influential Lee was in Capote's writing of In Cold Blood? Did you know that she did at one time have plans for a second book? Did you know that Atticus Finch is loosely based on her own father? There are hundreds of I-didn't-know-that facts sprinkled throughout I Am Scout that makes this one so essential to those interested in a behind-the-scenes look at this mysterious writer.
This one is definitely one I'd recommend.
Read Sarah Miller's review.
Visit the author's website.
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6 comments:
I haven't read this one, but I loved Mockingbird, and would recommend it. I'll have to check this one out.
Ooooh! I'm am SO going to Amazon right after this and ordering "I Am Scout." Thanks for letting me know about this book! I love "To Kill a Mockingbird"!
Thanks!
Beth Fehlbaum, author
Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com
http://www.kunati.com/courage-in-patience
Chapter 1 is online!
I think I'll have to take a look at that bio. I actually did know about the relationship between Lee and Capote, but I'm sure that there are other things in the book I'd enjoy learning.
I wanted to tell you that I'm starting something new at Semicolon, and you're certainly invited to join in along with any of your readers. It's called Semicolon Author Celebration, and to start with I'm looking for posts about Charlotte Zolotow on this Thursday, her birthday. For more information go to: http://www.semicolonblog.com/?p=2560
I'll be reading this, for sure. Great review!
I heard this book mentioned before, but didn't know the title. I'm so glad now because I really want to read it!!
Do you post your reviews on Amazon? I ask because I AM SCOUT is suffering a bit there -- some disgruntled nitwits are giving it poor ratings because they don't realize it's a YA edition of Shields's MOCKINGBIRD. Care to lend a hand?
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