I don’t remember ever reading this book. I have vague memories of seeing the movie, but couldn’t really remember the plot. Now that I’ve finished it, it seems familiar but I suspect that is more the comfortable writing style, since none of it seemed familiar while I was reading it.

Quick plot recap. The narrator is Scout Finch who is almost 6 at the time the story starts. She spends most of her time with her brother Jem, who is almost 10 when the story starts. We watch their story over about 4 years. Their father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer. They live in a small town in Alabama and it is 1930 so they are experiencing the Depression. We meet the neighbors on their street, but we don’t get to meet Arthur (Boo) Radley. Years ago he got into a scrape with the law and his father said if the judge let him come home he would never get in trouble again. He didn’t, because he didn’t come out of the house again. The way Scout tells the story, that wasn’t the best thing his father could have done for him. But, the Radley’s don’t come out or socialize so it might have happened to him even if he hadn’t gotten in trouble.

After spending half the book, and a few years, introducing the characters and giving us a good feel for the town and the people and the way of life, we move into the action. A black man has been accused of raping a white woman and Atticus has been assigned as his defense counsel. This being 1930 and a black man, there are some people who don’t see any need to wait for a trial. Others are fine with going through the motions of a trial but they wonder why Atticus is bothering to actually defend him. During the actual trial is is pretty obvious that the woman and father who brought the charges have lied about what happened, but the jury can’t take the word of a black man over that of a white man.

Even though the black man is convicted and then dies trying to escape prison, the white man who started this realizes he has been made a fool of and swears to get back at Atticus, the judge, and others he feels participated in shaming him. All of this culminates with an attack on Scout and Jem, but they survive, and Scout meets Boo Radley.

I love the book! I laughed so much during the early chapters where Scout is talking about going to school or playing with her brother. I found their fascination with Boo Radley interesting, and could see where playing out the scenes would help them understand it a bit more. The neighbors seem just right, those who gossip and judge, and those who love and are so tender. Atticus is a good father, helping his children to learn the right lessons.

The prejudice is well displayed, so that it seems believable but still stands out as unacceptable. I’m not saying I could never be like that, but in this day and age the overt racism is very obvious and disturbing. The point of view of the 6 year old is great, because Scout has a peculiar blend of innate culture from her surroundings with a child’s honest belief that there aren’t differences. She doesn’t really question the adults, but she doesn’t agree with them or even understand them.

The scene with the Missionary Society was so well done – at first I was thinking how interesting to care so much about others in a foreign land and not the poor or black here, but then the comments are so pointed that it becomes clear that the patronizing superiority is applied to everyone who isn’t “like us” whether they are in another country or right here in town.

That is one aspect that was raised, and I have run into it in other period pieces lately by LM Montgomery – the concept of groups or castes of people. It was interesting watching Jem try to decipher what put someone in one group or another, since it isn’t exactly clear whether it’s longevity as owner of a plot of land, or being literate, or what.

The book is also a Christian book, showing the difference between those who live it and those who just spout it. I found the venom that the legalistic group put out toward the kind and wise woman who loved flowers to be very telling.

My younger nephew is reading this in school and he says the book is boring. I wonder if they are doing something wrong in the school or if this is really just lost on someone his age. I found it laugh-out-loud funny, suspenseful, and convicting. But not boring!

I also realized, while writing this review, that the book is written in the first person. It is so well done that I never flinched at that, it just seemed natural. But it is difficult to do and many others who have tried it shouldn’t have.

I received an email for a special offer to review The Noticer by Thomas Nelson as part of the Book Review Blogger program. It sounded interesting and I love to read so I signed up. I am so glad I did. This book is worth a read!

This book sheds light on the importance of perspective. Jones is a noticer, he goes about his life and pays attention to what goes on around him. He knows people, their names and habits and needs and pleasures, just because he really sees them. Then once in awhile he steps in to talk to them, ask them questions and tell them stories, to help them gain some perspective.

The story is needed. The concept of perspective has always fascinated me. One of my favorite lines is Ben Kenobi’s statement “So what I told you was true … from a certain point of view.” This book brings up a number of situations where people are struggling with issues or living a life made tough by poor choices where they need to stop and change course. The problem is we often don’t know how to stop or how to change. We feel this is how I am and I can’t change it. I thought the book did a great job of showing how change is always possible, choice is always available to us, and there is hope for our future.

I have not read anything else by Andy Andrews so I was not aware of his story before reading this book. I am interested in The Traveler’s Gift and other books now and will look them up. The story is told in the first person, which is not my favorite, but it works  well in this book, especially since chapters where the author isn’t present are told in the omniscient third person style. The writing style is clear, easy, and enjoyable.

Now, the official information about the book.

A moving story of common wisdom from the bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift.

Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But they all have their share of problems – marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, and many of the other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.

Fortunately, when things look the darkest – a mysterious old man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. Communicating what he calls “a little perspective,” Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. In his simple interactions, Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what they can do about it.

Based on a remarkable true story, The Noticer beautifully blends fiction, allegory, and inspiration.

Check out these videos featuring Andy Andrews and The Noticer:

• Why am I the Wayward
• Why am I the Lover Lost
• Why am I the Worrier
• Why am I the Lustful Youth
• Why am I the Workaholic
• Why am I the Useless
• Full Length

And there is a project to encourage people to tell others how much they appreciate them. Visit http://www.thenoticerproject.com for more information about “The Noticer Project.”

Here is the Andy Andrews website with some downloads and other information.

This was an Early Reviewer selection through Library Thing. It is a pre-publication version of a book looking at what the Old Testament has to say about the role of the alien in society and how we can use that to think about the problem of illegal and illegal immigrants.

The introduction shows why the author has some interest and authority in the topic of immigration. Then the author establishes the foundation for the issues. Next he shows how resident aliens and foreigners are differentiated and treated in the Old Testament history and law. He also provides suggestions and conclusions about how these factors should guide our thinking about immigration issues.

I found the book very interesting. The distinction between resident aliens and foreigners was helpful, as was the description of the many benefits afforded resident aliens in Israel. I have recently read the Pentateuch but was surprised to see how often the aliens were included in the laws, including social benefits like gleaning and receiving part of the tithe, as well as participating in the feasts and offerings. He  discusses Matthew 25:31-46 so well that it caused me to go reread it and rethink how I have applied it. I also agree with his discussion on the practice of sanctuary.

I recommend the book as a study of the topic and how it addresses the treatment of legal immigrants and gives some good thought toward how we should treat the concept and the reality of illegal immigrants.

This was a fun book. Emily is growing up and her relatives seem to be growing some as well.

Aunt Elizabeth still takes her role as caretaker very seriously and I think she is very wise in how she handles the opportunities and boundaries for Emily.

Cousin Jimmy is still wonderful. He has such unwavering love and faith in Emily. He is also wise, saving a few of them from their own pride. He helps Emily see why common sense and taking consequences into account are important.

Aunt Ruth is a terror, and she gets some comeuppance from Cousin Jimmy. But she is also family and she stands up for Emily when it really counts.

Ilse is still a mess, but such a wonderful friend. It is nice to see her receiving love from her father now.

Very interesting watching Perry, Teddy, Dean, and Andrew. They all have good taste, even if not always good sense.