Mockingbird

Mockingbird

by Kathryn Erskine

Winner of the 2010 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained to help her understand. Devon is dead and Dad is struggling himself to come to terms with the recent events. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger’s, she doesn't know how. Now Caitlin must figure out how she can find “closure” after Devon’s senseless death, and in the process she learns more about herself and others. She works hard to learn how to interact with both kids and adults without her brother’s guidance. In her search for closure, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white - the world is full of colors - messy and beautiful.

This is an amazing book with an untraditional narrator. It helped me to better understand how a person with Asperger’s syndrome thinks, and how people with different forms of autism experience the world (though Caitlin is quick to point out that Asperger’s is different than autism). By relating to the character, the reader will hopefully learn more about how everyone has their own special strengths and will make an effort to help these kids (or adults) feel comfortable. The callous and inconsiderate way that some of the other students (and teachers) treat Caitlin will hopefully help readers to develop more empathy for people with disabilities.

“Mockingbird” relates to one of my all-time favourite books – To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) and is based on the following quotation:

“Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.“Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”  [Chapter 10]

This relates perfectly to Caitlin and her innocence, yet also to her remarkable talent as an artist.

The other thing that I enjoyed about this book is relating it to my own experience. My former boss has Asperger’s, though a far milder form than Caitlin. We always got along really well – though I cannot say the same for everyone that worked there. When I reflected on how Caitlin thought, I figure that it is because I am fairly soft spoken, yet direct. And we did relate with our Diet Coke addictions!  This type of book is important for young adults to read so that they can also learn about how people with disabilities are both different, yet the same, as other people. I would definitely recommend it to young adults – especially those at the younger end of the age range. It is important for children and young adults to learn about those people that are different from themselves at a young age.