Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
Harper Lee only wrote one novel—other than the original draft of TKAM, which was released as Go Set a Watchman in 2015—and she never wrote a forward for it, because she said that the novel speaks for itself. Now, we're not arguing with her or anything, but we still think that it's nice to have things explained. (Source)
Harper Lee wrote the novel after her friends gave her a year's salary so she could take a break from her job and focus on her writing. Nice friends! (Source.)
Every year a dramatic version of the novel is performed in the old courthouse of Harper Lee's hometown, Monroeville. Road trip, anyone? (Source.)
To Kill a Mockingbird was the first book used for a city-wide read-a-long, in Chicago in 2001. Do you think they checked Shmoop? (Source.)
Calling all Alabamians: every year, Alabama can participate in a contest to write an essay on To Kill a Mockingbird—and Harper Lee herself used to come out of hiding to attend. (Source)