Mockingbird Summer – by Lynda Rutledge – independent book review – Historical Fiction (United States)

A beautiful coming-of-age story about a small-town girl and one particular summer where she must suddenly confront complex and perplexing feelings around romance, competition, friendship and race. Awarded four stars on Goodreads but 4.5 feels more accurate.

Written by the bestselling author of WEST WITH GIRAFFES, MOCKINGBIRD SUMMER is based on Lynda Rutledge’s own memories of growing up in the 1960s. To set the scene, the book begins in 1964 in High Cotton, Texas. Men earn the money while women stay home to raise families. White families live on the North side of town. Black families on the South side. Railroad tracks mark a clear separation.

Less than a year after the assassination of President John Kennedy, it’s the summer when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. News reports are full of stories of Black students trying to get service at segregated lunch counters while other Black citizens stage non-violent sit-ins to protest Jim Crow laws and the “separate but equal” doctrine. The now-classic movie, To Kill a Mockingbird (based on author Harper Lee’s autobiographical novel of the same name) is playing in big city theaters.

13-year-old Corky, a frequent visitor at the town library, has just read Harper Lee’s novel, though she has questions about what some of it means (and no one seems eager to provide answers). Then, Corky’s family hires a Haitian housekeeper and the woman’s 16-year-old daughter, America, comes into Corky’s orbit.

Corky quickly begins to look up to America who seems to know so much more than Corky and be able to do so many things that Corky cannot. Chief among those abilities, America is a naturally gifted athlete. It’s not long before the entire town becomes aware that America can literally run as fast as Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph. And suddenly many are clamoring for America to play softball on a traditionally Whites-only team, to help break its perennial losing streak.

Not surprisingly though, some in town — including a few with money and power — don’t want a Black teenager playing on a White team. They prefer keeping the races segregated. Soon, whether America will play or not is of town-wide interest. Which pits Corky and her loyalty to America against the beliefs of some of Corky’s long-standing friends.

This is a well-written, fast-paced read, full of increasing suspense. (Who would have thought a girls’ softball game could make me so anxious?) But like her previous novel (WEST WITH GIRAFFES), author Lynda Rutledge has a talent for finding and illuminating the drama inherent in moments where American culture, traditions, and values conflict. Plus, Corky’s story provides all of us with important insight into this pivotal era in United States history. Along with a chance to consider that history in light of what’s currently happening in the United States. And I did cry at the end. Highly recommended.

More about the author, Lynda Rutledge.

You may be interested in my review of a previous book by Rutledge, WEST WITH GIRAFFES.