52. To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird introduces eighth graders to the world of 1930’s Alabama,The book draws students into conversations about issues of race, class, and gender that are both universal and relevant today.

One of the seminal novels of the 20th century and a staple of the Middle School English curriculum at Dalton for decades, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best-loved books that students encounter at 89th Street. In getting to know Scout, Jem, Atticus, and the town of Maycomb, eighth graders learn about 1930’s Alabama a time and place wholly different from their own.

The struggles that the Finch children and their hometown go through provide the opportunity to discuss issues of race, class, and gender that are both universal and ideally suited for young teenagers. Celia Heath ’18 remembers that it “felt as though Harper Lee was laying out my own experience right in front of me…reminding me that I was very much not alone.” Her classmate, Grant Gordon ’18, appreciates the way the novel highlighted “the power of a voice and the necessity of using it fearlessly.” The mystery of Boo Radley, the drama of Tom Robinson’s case, and the maturation of the young protagonists inevitably draw middle schoolers into vital conversations and a deeper understanding of history.

Every year, Harper Lee’s classic resonates with a new group of Dalton students, as they learn to “climb into a person’s skin and walk around a bit.” In spite of the book’s many heart-breaking moments, it has been a source of enlightenment and inspiration for countless students over many decades. We are confident that it will continue to serve the same purpose for many more in the century to come.
—Josh Bachrach, Eighth Grade House Advisor, English Teacher and Middle School English Department Chair