Mockingbird

Mockingbird
Kathryn Erskine
Philomel/Penguin, 2010 235 page
Grades 4-7
Realistic Fiction

Fifth-grader Caitlin's life is very confusing. Her older brother Devon has always explained the world to her. Now that Devon is gone, killed at a tragic school shooting in their small rural town, Caitlin feels alone. Her father is distant and doesn't like to talk about Devon and her mother died many years before. Caitlin has Asperger's Syndrome and is gifted with an amazing art talent, which she utilizes to help process the world, yet can only draw in black and white, much as her mind works. Unfortunately, social situations bewilder her and cause discomfort. The whole town is mourning those killed in the shooting and want to offer Caitlin and her dad support, but she would rather just have Devon back. An understanding counselor helps Caitlin begin to process Devon's death and reach out socially. She is searching for "closure' but isn't sure exactly what it is and how to obtain it. An unexpected friendship is developed with a first grade boy, who lost his teacher mother in the shooting. The two children, though apart in age, have much in common and learn together how to process events and Caitlin for the first time in her life learns how to be a friend. Devon was in the process of building a hope chest for his Eagle Scout project before he died. Now the chest is covered by a sheet and pushed into a corner of the living room where it makes Caitlin sad every time she sees it. She comes up with a great idea: maybe if she and Dad finish the chest they will find "closure". Now if she can only convince Dad to help her.

I have put off reading this book for years. It just seemed too sad. Finally, after I kept seeing it pop-up on lists one of my book club members convinced me to read it. I was so glad that I did! Erskine completely captures the voice and thought process of a child with Asperger's. The character of Caitlin is carefully and respectfully drawn. Readers will get to see inside the mind of a child who is wired a bit differently and possibly treat fellow classmates who don't fit into the typical boxes with understanding and empathy. Caitlin has feelings, though she does not know how to accurately express them, and prefers clear-cut rules and definitions. Through the help of her kind councilor, a thoughtful art teacher, and her new first grade friend, she allows her world to expand, even though this is scary, and colors begin to seep into her life. Dad will not go to therapy, though he desperately needs it, and Caitlin assists his healing through the hope chest project. An author's note at the end explains that Erskine was very affected by the Virginia Tech shootings and that event served as an inspiration to Mockingbird. It is very interesting that she chose to see an unfathomable event, such as a school shooting, through the eyes of a young person that struggles with decoding. It certainly adds a layer to the story. As the title suggests, To Kill a Mockingbird also is an inspiration to the book and parallels are drawn to that classic novel. Fans of Wonder and Out of My Mind will be an easy audience for this book and this genre of stories with unconventional characters working through problems is hot right now with young people. To be enjoyed by both boys and girls, this is a beautifully written and timely tale that will resonate and make a meaningful impression on the reader.