To Kill A Mockingbird
By patgalca
@patgalca (18391)
Orangeville, Ontario
October 21, 2007 10:29am CST
My daughter is in grade 9 and has started reading/studying this book. I vaguely remember reading this myself. It is a book that has been on several banned books lists. My daughter came downstairs the other night crying at the questions she had to answer because she didn't understand. I read the first chapter of the book so I could help her. I was so confused I could understand her upset. So many characters are introduced at the beginning of the book that I know for sure a book like that would not be considered for publication today.
The teacher told the class that if they found the book offensive they did not have to read it. I was tempted to write a note to the teacher and say that I found it offensive and didn't want her reading, but I didn't. I helped her with the questions. If the answers were wrong, so be it. As long as she answered them.
I told my daughter that now that she is in high school I could not help her with her homework. A) she has to learn to do it on her own and B) the work is getting too hard for me to understand. (God help us next semester when she has math!) But I have still been helping her with English because, as a writer and reader, it is "my" subject.
Your thoughts on this. What do you think of the book "To Kill A Mockingbird"? What do you think about helping my 14 year old daughter with her grade 9 homework?
8 people like this
21 responses
@new_waver (198)
•
21 Oct 07
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books of all time. I know that it's an intense subject about a very troubled time in history, and it might be a difficult read, but I can't imagine why someone might find a book about tolerance and human compassion offensive.
If your daughter is having trouble following plot or character issues, I'd suggest either Cliff's Notes or Sparknotes (which is a website). They have very concise but detailed summaries of what is happening, and Sparknotes, I believe, also has discussion questions. Perhaps they would help and take some of the stress off of both of you.
3 people like this
@alexdiazgranados (678)
• United States
21 Oct 07
I have to admit that I haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird in ages; it's kind of a difficult "read" emotionally speaking for me for the reasons you state, but as far as reading-comprehension goes, it's not that terribly complicated. (Then again, we now live in an age when reading isn't exactly a top priority as far as entertainment choices are concerned.)
I agree with the suggestion about Cliffs Notes; I never used them and in fact my teachers didn't allow us to use them in my high school, but if it will help a student understand material he/she can't easily grasp, it's fine by me.
1 person likes this
@Simoneetah (420)
• Canada
21 Oct 07
We weren't allowed to use cliffs notes too. We did anyways. I, however, didn't use it for that book. I used it more for Shakespere. And as I think if it I might have been in gr 10. For me reading was one of the first things I learned to do. Earlier than the rest of my siblings. I do agree that reading is one thing that kids and even my generation (I'm only 26) don't do. Recently I read 4 novels in 2 weeks. I think I should read To Killa Mockingbird again. See if I get the same effect 10 years later.
1 person likes this
@new_waver (198)
•
21 Oct 07
They didn't let you use Cliff notes? Wow, that's harsh. They're no substitute for reading the book, but they're a good supplement and really helped me out a lot in high school when I was having trouble getting through more difficult books (The Scarlet Letter, especially).
1 person likes this
@Simoneetah (420)
• Canada
21 Oct 07
I had to read it in gr 9. I didn't find it difficult. I do know that I really enjoyed the book and even cried while reading it. I don't think it should be band for offensivness. That is how things were at that time and people really did go through that. So giving some glimps into the past should humble some people today. Even though it is a fictional book there is some relevance. Shakespere confused the hell out of me more than To Kill A Mockingbird. As for helping your daughter I think you should give her a hand where ever possible. I would have loved to have my parents help me. I just new that they wouldn't understand anything. They are from the Caribbean so they didn't have to do any of these readings. As for math all my dad has to do is blink and he has the answer. I loved when I new more answers to math than he did. I felt so much smarter. I was like "HA! Try figuring out the root of that polynomiel!" I think helping your daughter helps them with the transition and give them a little confidence. They would know if all else fails go to mom. I know in my house, now that I am done with school my yonger brother comes to me. I help him willingly because I know no one else in my house can help him.
3 people like this
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
21 Oct 07
My husband is the person we turn to for math as well. You can give him a bunch of figures to add up and he will do it in his head in a matter of seconds. But he has been stumped with the math they are studying nowadays. Even grade 6 math. My parents never EVER helped me with homework. We would always call classmates and come up with answers together over the phone. My daughter won't phone her friends.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
21 Oct 07
You can tell your daughter's teacher, that To Kill A Mockingbird should not be on the banned list. It also might be a good idea to see the movie on TCM or rent it from Blockbusters, Netflix, or buy the DVD. Usually they cannot put everything in a movie that they do in the book, so it is sort of like a Readers Digest Condensed Version in visual. I have no idea why the book is offensive, I have read it once and I saw the movie, and I thought that the ones who banned it were off their rocker. After all, I see many TV shows and movies where blacks are accused of horrible crimes and then they find out that the "Evil White Man" is behind it. So Harper Lee was ahead of time.
As for helping her with her homework, she should do it herself, but you can help by making suggestions and point out her mistakes. So she has to do the main work herself.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Oct 07
Yes, I believe they do... and was about to suggest that as a cause of bannishment.
@RosieS57 (889)
• United States
21 Oct 07
I think it's fine to help her when she has difficulties.
I was in Honors Englsih and I loved having new books to read -- I get lost in the books. I'm writing a spoiler next, so if you want to read Anna Karenina don't look. That book made me mad because it took wading thru 900 plus pages just to have her run over by a train at the end. Awful ending!
But for your daughter's sake, helping her over the humps to ease her frustration level, but not doing her thinking for her, will help her to not hate school like you did. It is rather important these days for daughters to get as much schooling as they can toward a career so that they can be independent adults.
2 people like this
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
15 Jul 08
Awwwwww....dangit. Now I can't finish the book, Rosie!!! You spoiled the ending for me!!!
Just kidding!
Could not help myself.
@Sharon38 (1912)
• Jamaica
22 Oct 07
Well I used that book in high school and still have a copy of it. I also watched the movie. Maybe I am wrong but I did not find it offensive I liked Atticus very much especially since he always tells the child not to judge anyone but walk around in the person's shoes for a while. I live by this too.
I dont see anythign worng with helping them as long as you are not doing it for them. There is a big difference. I help my daughter by showing her what she needs to do and read over what she has written and make corrections and tell her why.
Here in Jamaica we have to help our children alot with the homework because it is so heavy with research materials.
@maybebaby (1230)
• Canada
26 Oct 07
I've read To Kill a Mockingbird and it is one of my all time favorite books. It is a great story and I'm sure that in the end you and your daughter will both feel it was a worth while read. Secondly, I'm a teacher, and I wouldn't not have a problem with a parent helping their child wtih homework at any age. What you have to be sure of is that your helping her find the answers for herself and not just giving them to her. It won't help her on tests if she hasn't done the work for herself. There is nothing wrong with some help and guidance though.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
26 Oct 07
I read the first chapter and I have no desire to read any further. My daughter has to learn how to do her own work. I get tired of what seems like laziness on her part. I think a boost at the beginning of the book is really all she needs. I thought she'd still be doing Romeo and Juliet. She came to me when she first started that book but never asked for help again after that. She hasn't asked for help again with TKAM. I think kids think we know everything. We may have learned it in school but, heck, that was 30 years ago. I don't remember a darn thing. I preferred helping her with "The Outsiders" last year.
;)
@alexdiazgranados (678)
• United States
21 Oct 07
First, I don't see how Harper Lee's classic novel wouldn't be published today because it introduces too many characters early on. Either contemporary writers are getting way too minimalist in their prose or TV has eaten away at readers' retention capacity.
Second, I, too, had to read TKaM in high school, albeit a grade later than your daughter did (10th grade rather than 9th). While it's not my usual "cup of tea" reading wise, I still have a copy and I also have watched the film based on it a few times. Pity that it's on "banned book lists" in some places, but I suppose it's either because of the race issues or the whole made-up rape bit. I think banning the book is wrong, but that's just my view.
As for helping your daughter do her homework, it depends on how far the help extends. If it's only pointing her on the right direction and then letting her find answers on her own or double checking her finished homework, it's okay. Actually doing her homework? That's another matter.
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
21 Oct 07
"Helping" with homework is a vague term. I think that I am suggesting the possibilities that are being asked because I really don't know the answers myself for sure. I just say, "I think it's because..." and she will think about it and decide for herself whether I am probably on the right track. I hated school so having to "go back" to school with my kids is a real downer. :p
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 Oct 07
I didn't read the book but I did see the film.When I was in school, they had us read Tess D'Uberville . And my teacher showed us the film too. I got more out of the film than the book. So maybe you should rent the movie and watch it with her. that may help.As for helping with home work, you should help out as much as you can and tell her when it is too hard for you to help.Good Luck.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
23 Oct 07
I remember reading this book back in school and even saw the movie. I was not aware it was on a ban list either LOL
Nothing wrong with helping your daughter with her homework as long as you are guiding her and offering advice. She should do the bulk of the research and things like that, and her asking you for clarification is good too.
1 person likes this
@cdv102 (132)
• United States
22 Oct 07
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books. And I found that a lot of books introduce most of the characters in the first chapter or so. You aren't expected to keep them all straight right away. The easiest way to get around the confusion is to read further. As the chapters progress, you are reintroduced to the characters in more detail and it's easier to decipher who's who. I agree with the suggestion to have your daughter read Cliff's Notes, or even just go online and read summaries of the book. (As long as she's reading the book, too.) And it's OK to help your daughter. In fact, it's great that you're so involved! Just don't end up doing her homework for her. Have her talk it out, tell you what she thinks. Sometimes just trying to figure something out out loud helps you understand a subject. Also, I definitely understand about the high school work getting too hard for you to help her with. My parents had the same problem when I was in high school. Don't forget the option of hiring tutors. You can even call your local college and request a tutor.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
22 Oct 07
I did go online last night and check sparksnotes, as someone suggested earlier, and was able to help her find the answers to the questions she was given for homework. Unfortunately the wording of some of the questions are hard to understand, let alone the answers. I told her to look the words up in the dictionary because although I knew what they meant I couldn't explain them. The dictionary definitions use big words, and then she has to look those words up. High school isn't easy. *sigh*
1 person likes this
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
21 Oct 07
Well first off, that book is a good one, but a hot and controversial one. You dealing with two young children in 1930s Alabama, whose father is a lawyer defending a black man accused of rape. I suggest highly that you get some cliff notes and go from there. I like the book, and if you could, I'd tell you to come this way to Monroeville(where the book is based on, and the author is from originally) and see the production of the play. As for the offensive manner, well I would tell the teacher that it is so confusing that perhaps starting off the book in class would be much better so that these kids would understand it. I thought you said she was nine years old, I'm like, why are they starting this book so early? I read this book at her age, and I can understand your feelings.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Oct 07
If you want to help her, and you can, then why not?
You might want to rent the video. It is fairly faithful to the book, and they even showed it to us in school when I studied it. It's in black and white and stars Gary Cooper as Atticus.
1 person likes this
@angemac23 (2003)
• Canada
21 Oct 07
I love this book as well. Yes the topic may be disturbing or hard to digest for some people, but the things that happened in that book are things that really happened over and over again in history and it something that should not be ignored nor should anyone turn a blind eye to it. I suggest going to the local bookstore and looking into some reference books that will help you and your daughter understand the book better. Her eyes need to be opened to the things that do and have gone on in this world so she can be aware.
1 person likes this
@MommaOfAllTrades (969)
• Canada
26 Oct 07
It really bothers me that the teacher said if the students found it offensive, they didn't have to read it. I read the book in grade 10. Because of my poor health in high school, I was lucky in a sense to have a tutor that didn't accept any excuse for not reading and loving such a classic. I LOVE To Kill A Mockingbird! My tutor treated me to the movie once we were done the study which make me love it even more. As others commented, you can use Cole's Notes to help your daughter out. This same tutor *forced me to love Shakespeare* too... LOL
Now what do I think about helping your daughter with her homework? I don't care how old she is, her education should be a very important matter to you and you SHOULD be involved! Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you're done learning! You should be helping her, in fact go buy yourself a copy of this book and read it together with her! Once she's done studying the book, rent the movie, get a great big bowl of popcorn and enjoy it together!
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
21 Oct 07
I read this book in high school. It was okay, but it was not my favorite. Animal Farm was my favorite.
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Oct 07
I liked pretty much all of the books we studied in HS, except for "The Life and Times of The Mayor of Casterbridge" by Thomas Hardy. BO-O-O-O-O-R-R-R-ING!
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Oct 07
Oops! Just remembered "Maria Chapdelain". That was tedious, as well.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
I had to read "To kill a mocking bird" when I was about the same age as your daughter, and the first few chapters are confusing as a lot happens, it's a book with a sub plot (the thing about Boo Radley) as well as a main plot.
And I hate to tell you this but if the first chapter made her cry the ending will be much worse. A black man is falsely convicted of raping a white girl in it, and gets shot trying to escape prison. The little girls father is his lawyer, I think that's the part the teacher fears the kids may find offensive, so I wouldn't tell the teacher YOU find it offensive as they'll probably think you're some kind of racist who was against the civil rights movement or something. Haven't you ever seen the movie? It's quite famous, some big actor played atticus (her father).
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
15 Jan 11
In light of what has happened recently, it seems that the use of the "N" word is what people are finding offensive. I read the book in high school as well but can't remember a darn thing about it. Not sure whether we were shown the movie or not.
Like you said, this is an old discussion I started when my now grade 12 student was in grade 9. My other daughter is in grade 9 now. She didn't read the book. She couldn't understand it. She read up on the story online and got what she could through class discussions but she refused to read the book. I wonder how she'll do on her exam. And as a side note, we were not given the option to not read the book this year unlike my daughter did 3 years ago.
And for the record, I don't think changing the "N" word to "slave" is the right thing to do. The book was written way back when and should remain as originally written.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
It makes a point in the story that the N word is used, and it is set in the past so I don't think they should change it either, it's not shown as a positive thing. I did read it but it is hard going there's a lot going on in the story, and lot of very detailed descriptions of people and things that happened. I did my exam on it and didn't do too badly, I forgot to take the text into the exam and still managed to pass.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jan 11
Just realized how old this discussion is, so the ending won't come as any surprise to you now, lol.
@raychill (6525)
• United States
21 Oct 07
I read "To Kill A Mockingbird" in 9th grade. Except, wait... I didn't actually read it. I watched the movie instead. I never got into that book. I don't see why it would be a bad thing for you to be helping your daughter. Isn't that what most parents do? Plus I mean...most of that crap you don't need after high school. Just writing skills for college papers.
1 person likes this
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
17 Jul 08
It was my Literature book when I was 13 years old. This book is not banned in my country and to be frank, I enjoyed reading this book. 
I personally feel that this book gives me a rough idea on how life is like in America in the past. It also tells us about how 'evil' the slavery was.
Your daughter should just relax and enjoy reading the book, instead of worrying about the homework. Of course, homework needs to be done but she needs to enjoy the book first before she'll enjoy her homework.
There's nothing wrong helping your child with her work. I am a private tutor and my job is to help students with their homework.
I personally feel that this book gives me a rough idea on how life is like in America in the past. It also tells us about how 'evil' the slavery was.
Your daughter should just relax and enjoy reading the book, instead of worrying about the homework. Of course, homework needs to be done but she needs to enjoy the book first before she'll enjoy her homework.
There's nothing wrong helping your child with her work. I am a private tutor and my job is to help students with their homework. @patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
17 Jul 08
Thanks for your comments. I posted this at the beginning of my daughter's first year in high school. I did have to help her a little at the beginning but she went through most of her two semesters without any assistance. She even took half a course in summer school these past two weeks (her choice) and did amazingly well in all her classes. I am really very proud of her. Though English was her weakest subject, she still came out of it with a respectable grade. Some classes she got over 90% which has just blown me away. Let's see how she does in grade 10.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223764)
• Chile
16 Nov 12
I just got to your post, quite late, but anyway... I think it might be a good idea to rent the movie to help your daughter understand the book. I once read a book with many characters at the beginning at it helped me to make a list of them and write down who was related to who. I know this will not help a homework that was done several years ago, but it can help for future readings.
@acrossnation (773)
• Malaysia
2 Dec 10
I have this book but have yet to read it. It is the most talk about book even in the movies and tv shows have quote it.When i have a new book to read i will always read the summary of the storybook.
I always monitor my children when they do their homework and suggest how to get more info. on certain subject.
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
2 Dec 10
It is very ironic that you should respond to this discussion right now. I started this post 3 years ago when my oldest daughter was in grade 9 (she is in grade 12 now). However, my younger daughter is in grade 9 this year and just this week started To Kill A Mockingbird. 
