To Kill A Mockingbird: A Graphic Novel Adapted and Illustrated by Fred Fordham
Quick Synopsis: It’s To Kill a Mockingbird, just in a graphic novel. It’s the same exact story and uses the same vernacular. To Kill a Mockingbird is my absolute favorite book, so I won’t even attempt a summary. It wouldn’t be any good as I am too attached.
Why I Like It: To be honest, I was extremely skeptical. It took me over a year to even consider opening this book. I saw it once on a trip to Costco and thought, “Oh hell no, they have ruined the book.” But really, they didn’t. What they actually did was made the classic accessible to so many different readers. To Kill a Mockingbird, while I love it greatly, is a little daunting to some. In my time working with striving readers who would be intimidated by the original novel, I have learned that sometimes the message is more important than the delivery. This book, however, works to give readers both. It stays close to Harper Lee’s words and creates a visual so that the entire novel is made fresh and accessible for all readers.
Why You Might Like It: If you haven’t read the original version of To Kill a Mockingbird in a while, go find this version. It will take you on a trip down memory lane and remind you of the classic stories and lessons that Jim and Scout learn throughout their childhood. All of your favorite characters are right there for you to visit with: Boo Radley, Ms. Maudie, Calpurnia, Dill, Bob Ewell, Aunt Alexandra, Tom, and even ol’ Mr. Dolphus Raymond who drinks Coca-Cola out of a brown paper bag. I also encourage you to gift it to any young people you hold near and dear. They may not have the opportunity to read the actual novel in school, and hopefully this version will pique their interest and they will come to know a timeless classic that so many of us hold near and dear.
