Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters: What Harper Lee’s Book
and the Iconic American Film Mean To Us Today
Book Giveaway
Meticulous attention to detail… Readers not familiar with the stories behind the novel and film will find much to relish.” –Publishers Weekly
We’re super excited about our next giveaway! This time, we’ll be giving away TWELVE COPIES of the book “Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters” by critically-acclaimed author Thomas Santopietro, courtesy of St. Martin’s Press. This is a must-read for Mockingbird fans, as Thomas explores why this iconic classic matters today more than ever. Plus he reveals behind-the-scenes stories from the film including casting sessions, picking a director and more…
In order to qualify to win one of these books via this contest giveaway, you must complete the below entry task by Saturday, Aug 18 at 9PM EST. However, the sooner you enter, the better chance you have of winning, because we will pick a winner on six different days within the contest period, via random drawings, as listed below… So if you don’t win the first week that you enter, you will still be eligible to win during the following weeks until the contest is over.
- July 14: Two Winners
- July 21: Two Winners
- July 28: Two Winners
- Aug 4: Two Winners
- Aug 11: Two Winners
- Aug 18: Two Winners
We will announce each week’s winner on Twitter @ClassicMovieHub (or this blog, depending how you entered), the day after each winner is picked at 9PM EST for example, we will announce our first week’s winner on Sunday July 15 at 9PM EST.
…..
ENTRY TASK (2-parts) to be completed by Saturday, Aug 18 at 9PM EST— BUT remember, the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win…
1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post
2) Then TWEET (not DM) the following message:
Just entered to win the “Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters” #BookGiveaway courtesy of @StMartinsPress author @TomSantopietro and @ClassicMovieHub contest link: http://ow.ly/6HrF30kS4pe
THE QUESTION:
Why do you love most about “To Kill a Mockingbird” (book or film)? And if you are unfamiliar with it, why do you want to win this book?
*If you do not have a Twitter account, you can still enter the contest by simply answering the above question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog — BUT PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ADD THIS VERBIAGE TO YOUR ANSWER: I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
ALSO: Please allow us 48 hours to approve your comments. Sorry about that, but we are being overwhelmed with spam, and must sort through 100s of comments…
…..
About “Why To Kill a Mockingbird”: With 40 million copies sold, To Kill a Mockingbird’s poignant but clear eyed examination of human nature has cemented its status as a global classic. Tom Santopietro’s new book, Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters, takes a 360 degree look at the Mockingbird phenomenon both on page and screen. Santopietro traces the writing of To Kill a Mockingbird, the impact of the Pulitzer Prize, and investigates the claims that Lee’s book is actually racist. Here for the first time is the full behind the scenes story regarding the creation of the 1962 film, one which entered the American consciousness in a way that few other films ever have. From the earliest casting sessions to the Oscars and the 50th Anniversary screening at the White House, Santopietro examines exactly what makes the movie and Gregory Peck’s unforgettable performance as Atticus Finch so captivating. As Americans yearn for an end to divisiveness, there is no better time to look at the significance of Harper Lee’s book, the film, and all that came after.
Please note that only residents of the Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible to win.
For complete rules, click here.
Here’s a short trailer about the book, narrated by author Tom Santopietro.
And if you can’t wait to win, you can click on the image below to purchase on amazon 
And please be sure to check out other classic books by Tom Santopietro too!
…..
Good Luck!
–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
,
I don’t know why I came so late to the game, but I’d never seen To Kill a Mockingbird until a few years back when a friend sat me down in front of her tv and pushed play, after I’d remarked I’d never seen it. Then I hunted down the book (not hard to do). Why didn’t I watch it before? Gosh, I don’t know. So many movies, so little time? On the other hand, though, I’m glad to know there’s more gems out there I haven’t seen yet. I don’t know what they are, but I know they’re there. I think the thing I liked best about To Kill a Mockingbird was the character of Scout, if I had to choose. It’s an amazing movie, tight, well acted, controlled….(I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, am I?)
What I love the most about “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the 1962 film, is Gregory Peck’s magnificent performance as Atticus Finch. I like Mary Badham’s performance as Scout and Brock Peters’ performance as Tom Robinson. I like Robert Mulligan’s sensitive direction of the topic of racism which was a volatile topic in 1960s America and this film brought new light to it. I also love Russell Harlan’s beautiful cinematography which enhances the film in every scene.
I love the book – the story is timeless and has a lesson told simply through a child’s eyes; the movie is even better, the characters are brought to life by the incredible actors, and it doesn’t seem much different than the prejudice that still occurs today.
The part I love most about to kill a mockingbird is the interaction between the father and his children. It is so rich and warm despite the quirks embedded by southern upbringing
Gregory Peck’s performance is a tour de force!
Well Annmarie, I am a Libra and before I even knew THAT or that the symbol was Lady Justice, I was already into ‘fighting for the right, underdog, and justice’ as a kid and reading those kind of books. And sadly this kind of thing still happens today…though seems the tables have turned and you hear equally about blacks accusing whites/police of mistreatment. HA and I’ve even experienced it myself. So it is encouraging to be reminded that there are others who are willing to stand up for justice and truth. That’s what I like.
Though I have not read the book, I have a copy to read and will probably do that before I read this book, even if I don’t win. =) To me all the performances were spot on. I can’t imagine any other actors
I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message. Best of Luck everyone!
Thanks so much for entering Shelia and Good Luck 🙂
What I still love about “To Kill a Mockingbird” is how realistic the novel and the film are. Neither sugarcoated racism with was and still is a very hot-button issue. Gregory Peck’s performance as Atticus remains one of the all-time most iconic and important in film history. He can teach us a thing or two about humanity.
I love the book and the movie, but I saw the movie first! As a child, I watched many old movies with my parents. This one made a huge impression on me. Atticus Finch was a wonderful parent, lawyer, and all around person. I thought he was so smart and kind. It always brought tears to my eyes when Scout was told, “Miss Jean Louise. Stand up, your father’s passing.” And I love how it was narrated by adult Scout. Harper Lee truly wrote an amazing novel!
To Kill A Mockingbird is my favourite book, alongside The Great Gatsby. I love most the life lessons that Atticus taught his children, Scout and Jem. They were so meaningful because he set the example that people are the same no matter what. He was an educated lawyer and still willing to help out Mr. Cunningham, represent Tom Robinson, and protect Boo Radley. He took on the challenges that were not the norm of society at the time and set the example for those around him to do the right thing, even if it was difficult.
I love the how the film holds up and is as powerful today as it was when it was first released, due in equal parts to the story it tells and the riveting performances by just about the entire cast, though it’s impossible not to single out the amazing Gregory Peck. Confronting racism as it did in its time was an important step for authors and entertainers alike.
I love how much Scout loves and respects her Daddy, and how she slowly comes to understand him as a person.
I like both the book and the film for many reasons, but the one reason I currently hold above all others is, in a way, what many others probably do as well, but for a slightly different angle of a reason – Atticus Finch. As a lawyer, many folks see us a greedy, corrupt, useless, etc. We are sharks only after money. Which may be true for some. But, Atticus shines a bright light on what good lawyers can do and be. He isn’t perfect. He is simply doing is best with what he has. He is a caring father. A compassionate neighbor. And he sees the law as what it should be, not what it necessarily is at the current moment. He is an inspiration for much of the law community and lets others outside of that see how the law and those who practice within its bounds can be a force for good. A way for social change and understanding. Right and good might not always prevail, but that does not mean you stop trying or never try at all. Look out at the world and judge only on what you can do to better it, not on what others may do to worsen it. And, if anything, there’s always the illustrious Gregory Peck at his finest!
“But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest JP court in the land, or this honorable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults as does any human institution, but in this country, our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts, all men are created equal.” – Atticus Finch
I love love love everything about To Kill a Mockingbird. Learning life lessons through Scout’s innocence, it’s a must read and watch for everyone. Ahhh…and Atticus, could there be a better role model. We should all aspire to be more like him and the world would be a better place. Gregory Peck’s performance was stellar! I can see why it was his favorite role. I’ve given a copy to each of my nieces and nephews (9 of them) with the hope that they will be as influenced by it as I was…Thank you Harper Lee!
Whats not to love about this title. i van watch the movie or read the book over and ober again
The book and the movie are both timeless classics that are relatable to every walk of life. All five senses are affected when I read or watch this story. I even named my kids pony Scout!
I first read the book in eighth grade. It was an assigned task that turned out to be a complete joy! In utilizing the unspoiled wisdom of children to make important points about racism, justice, and courage, Harper Lee masterfully created a classic work of literature.
And the movie was pretty good, too! Who else but Gregory Peck could have so completely inhabited the role (and the soul) of Atticus Finch?
I remember watching the Film with My Family. My Mother was Jewish, and it shared much of the Hatred and Understanding of the Prejudices going on at that time. The relationships were layered, and the Writing Superb.
These Books are an Important Piece of History. And we Should Never Forget.
Thank You.
I first saw this movie in sophomore year of H.S. 73″, and for the first time, was introduced to racism at it’s worst level. It has become one of my most favorite movies and I would Love to have this book, to get to know the deeper aspects of the original book. This movie needs to be shown in classrooms again, so today’s kids will know just how bad racism really is!
That Atticus is the greatest literary hero
I remember watching the movie with family and friends long before I read it twice in high school.
The lessons that are in the book and movie have stuck with me thought out my life. I think it’s an important movie to see at a young age because children do lie to get others in trouble sometimes and it’s important to see what kind of effect lies can have on other people and their families lives.
To Kill a Mockingbird means there is still
Hope in the world. It also made me realize that there are still people in the world who fight for what is right and those who have been wrongly accused. We as people should reach out to those who are overwhelmed an under appreciated. We as caregivers need to look out for the Arthur (Boo) Radleys of world because they have something to offer us all if we are willing to take the time to learn. The film as well as the book has so many hidden meanings if we take the to listen.
Hi Jonnetta, I can’t seem to find your tweet. Could you please confirm that you tweeted, or let me know if you don’t have a twitter account or if it’s a private one. Thanks!
I love this movie! I love the strength of Adicus in teaching his children what really matters and then the kindess of Boo Radley and Scout. It’s heartwarming and everyone should see this film.