Who Would Like This Book:
Mockingbird is a heartfelt, eye-opening look at grief, empathy, and neurodiversity, told through the unique perspective of Caitlin, a young girl with Asperger's (autism spectrum). The book excels at getting readers inside Caitlin's mind - her literal thinking, sensory sensitivities, struggles with social norms, and journey towards understanding the world after her brother's tragic death. It's both moving and insightful, with touches of humor and real emotion. Perfect for middle graders, educators, families touched by autism, and anyone wanting to understand and empathize with those who experience the world differently.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers may find the writing style (with unusual capitalization and lack of quotation marks) distracting or hard to follow at first. There's debate about how accurately the book represents autism, with some feeling that certain stereotypes are reinforced or that the story leans too much on the "learning empathy" trope. If you're sensitive to stories about school shootings or prefer fast-paced plots over introspective character journeys, this may not be the book for you.
About:
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is a heartwarming and enlightening novel that follows the story of Caitlin, a 10-year-old girl with Asperger's Syndrome, as she copes with the loss of her brother in a school shooting. The book delves into Caitlin's unique perspective on the world, her struggles with understanding emotions and social cues, and her journey towards finding closure and empathy with the help of her counselor and new friend, Michael. Written in the first person, the novel beautifully depicts Caitlin's internal processes and the challenges she faces as she navigates grief, relationships, and personal growth.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of grief and loss, particularly surrounding school shootings, which may be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER and ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NOVELS OF OUR TIME FOR YOUNG READERS
Caitlin has Asperger's. The world according to her is black and white; anything in between is confusing. Before, when things got confusing, Caitlin went to her older brother, Devon, for help. But Devon was killed in a school shooting, and Caitlin's dad is so distraught that he is just not helpful. Caitlin wants everything to go back to the way things were, but she doesn't know how to do that. Then she comes across the word closure-and she realizes this is what she needs. And in her search for it, Caitlin discovers that the world may not be so black and white after all.
"Powerful."-Publishers Weekly
"A strong and complex character study."-The Horn Book
"Allusions to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the portrayal of a whole community's healing process, and the sharp insights into Caitlyn's behavior enhance this fine addition to the recent group of books with narrators with autism and Asbergers."-Booklist
Ratings (7)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (1) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (19):
Read It (9) | |
Want To Read (5) | |
Not Interested (5) |
1 comment(s)
i’ve reread this book multiple times, and it was one the first i had ever read ! it designed my mind …. i really enjoy the story and the characters
What can you read after
Mockingbird?
About the Author:
Kathryn Erskine spent many years as a lawyer before realizing that she'd rather write things that people might actually enjoy reading. She grew up mostly overseas and attended eight different schools, her favorite being the Hogwarts-type castle in Scotland. The…
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