A review by carolineolesky
Mockingbird Summer by Lynda Rutledge

mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Mockingbird Summer is a charming middle grade book about the changing cultural tides of the 1960s. It explores the many characters of protagonist Corky's small Texas town. I found the story entertaining and somewhat informative, though a bit candy coated. My dad grew up in Texas at the same time but in more urban Dallas and has expressed that racism and sexism were extreme during this time. That so many of the book's characters were open-minded is probably a bit inaccurate. That being said, this book does approach difficult topics in a way that is accessible to middle grade readers.