Mockingbird Summer

A Novel

By: Lynda Rutledge

Narrated by: Ren Hanami

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful and emotional coming-of-age novel set amid the turmoil and profound changes of the 1960s by the bestselling author of West with Giraffes.

In segregated High Cotton, Texas, in 1964, the racial divide is as clear as the railroad tracks running through town. It’s also where two girls are going to shake things up.

This is the last summer of thirteen-year-old Corky Corcoran’s childhood, and her family hires a Haitian housekeeper who brings her daughter, America, along with her. Corky is quick to befriend America and eager to share her favorite new “grown-up” novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. America’s take on it is different and profoundly personal. As their friendship grows, Corky finds out so much more about America’s life and her hidden skill: she can run as fast as Olympian Wilma Rudolph!

When Corky asks America to play with her girls’ softball team for the annual church rivals game, it’s a move that crosses the color line and sets off a firestorm. As tensions escalate, it fast becomes a season of big changes in High Cotton. For Corky, those changes will last a lifetime.

Set on the eve of massive cultural shifts, Mockingbird Summer explores the impact of great books, the burden of potential, and the power of friendship with humor, poignancy, and exhilarating hope.

©2024 by Lynda Rutledge. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A brilliantly written coming-of-age novel that is set on the eve of massive cultural shifts throughout Texas and the American south, Mockingbird Summer is a deftly crafted novel by Lynda Rutledge.” —Midwest Book Review

“This is a well-thought-out book with a plot that keeps the reader engaged and presents realistic situations from the early Civil Rights Movement. The characters are complex and the depiction of racism only furthers the reader’s compassion for such hateful actions. Highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society

Not very believable

The main character was supposed to be 13 years old, but presented as written as if she was 8 or 9.

History

I really like the truthful account of how life was. This should never be covered up.

Reliving the revelations about racism

There is a line in the book where it says a book should bring the readers experiences to it. This one did exactly that. I remembered my own experiences with it along my teenage years. I was 17 before I saw it full force. But like Corky, I don't think it was clear until then. She had to come face to face with it before it occurred to her that that kind of evil existed. Author brilliantly uses humor effectively, I laughed out loud several times. Such great characters! Hope they make a movie of it! Can't wait to see Lynda Rutledge's next book! Already read West with Girraffs! Brilliant!

Enjoyed the story of the girls friendship and how her & her brother were humble servants of God

Loved the story, disliked nothing and I think all people of all nationalities should read.

True Grit

I loved each and every chapter! Thank you for writing this book, I felt ea h and every word!! Thank you

Very Good Story

The book was very informative and kept the reader wanting more. Good ending and characters

Don't give up, this takes place in a different era

Mockingbird Summer
“It’s what you make of tragedy that makes you.”
This book took me a little longer to get through than most other books, even her other book which I really enjoyed and the reason I can think is the era or Corky, the main character in the book and boy, what a character she is. I have known a person or two like Corky” I think everyone has; maybe the only difference is age or maybe not. Corky is blissfully naïve even though she never seems to run out of inappropriate questions to ask. I am sure it was the time and small-town Texas but still a sad part of history.
I think everyone should have a Roy Rogers, of their own. 😉 A lot of the book is perhaps small-town America but the main event is the big Softball game at the end of the year and the terrible events that happen right after the game; lives are forever changed including Corky’s. That is the day her eyes are opened, oh, she’s still Corky and she still has a whole lot of growing up to do but she starts to get it. I Think. I love the way America, the only black player on the team for the Baptist Church always seems to run on to the field in the nick of time. I could have been friends with her easily. Pastor Pete’s last sermon is GREAT, it says a lot in only a few words.

Worth the read/listen!

Okay

While this book nowhere compares to West with Giraffes, it’s still a fun read. I mostly read it from my Kindle because, Lord bless you, this narrator is terrible. While she voiced the females okay, her male voice was grating.

Civil rights activists

This book/story will stay with me for a long time. I am a bit older than Corkie and this brought back many memories, good and bad, of that time.

Exquisite!

Who would think this story would awaken memories of my teen years during the 60s. Challenging times. Imperfect people trying to do what's right... and failing too often. This story is a jewel. I knew from reading "Giraffes" I could expect beautiful writing and storytelling. I've not been disappointed. Ms. Rutledge has me hooked! I am so grateful to be able to immerse in this wonderful book.