Scout, Atticus & Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of To Kill a Mockingbird    by Mary McDonagh Murphy Order:  USA  Can Harper, 2010 (2010) Hardcover, e-Book Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Kelly Thunstrom As of this writing, a signed, first-edition of arguably the greatest American novel of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird, is going for $565.00 to $1,800.00 on Ebay. The fact that signed copies are so incredibly rare is not the only reason. Harper Lee wrote one novel in her lifetime, and chances are, she will not be writing another one. In this novel, she said what she needed to say, then stopped. Some would question why she did not write another. Well, if you were the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, there would be no place to go afterwards but down. Murphy is to be commended for interviewing many subjects as to what this novel means to them. From Oprah Winfrey, who begged and pleaded with Lee for an interview (and knew within twenty minutes of meeting her that she was never going to get anything on the record), to Lee's older sister Alice, we learn a tremendous amount about the author. It's often stated that Lee is one of the most reclusive authors ever. Alice argues that she is absolutely not reclusive in her hometown of Monroeville (also the location of the novel). Lee chose to write one novel to express her thoughts on racism and countless other subjects (through her beloved narrator Scout), then settled down to a quiet life. Lee saw what fame did to her friend, notorious Monroeville resident Truman Capote, and chose to go in the other direction. Her neighbors respect her wishes and do not tell anyone where she lives. To Kill a Mockingbird is unique in that it means something different to everyone who reads it. Murphy's diligent work pays off in a tremendous collection of interviews. Scout, Atticus & Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of To Kill a Mockingbird is a must-read for fans of the greatest American novel of all time. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews