- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (2 Dec 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0316090530
- ISBN-13: 978-0316090537
- Product Dimensions: 14.6 x 2.5 x 21.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 737,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"[Whitney] writes with smooth assurance and a propulsive rhythm as she follows Alex through the Mockingbird's trial process and its accompanying emotional storm of confusion, shame, fear, and finally, empowerment. Authentic and illuminating, this strong debut explores vital teen topics of sex and violence; crime and punishment; ineffectual authority; and the immeasurable, healing influence of friendship and love."--Booklist
Product Description
Some schools have honour codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school where the students are exceptional, the faculty trust that everyone does the right thing, and the administration sees only what it wants to see - perfection.
So when Alex spends a drunken-night with a male student and awakes to evidence of a sexual encounter she can't remember, she doesn't know where to turn for help. As she slowly comes to terms with the fact that she was date raped, she enlists the help of the Mockingbirds - a secret society of her peers whose mission is to right the wrongs that the faculty and administration don't even know exist.
In standing up to her attacker, Alex discovers a strength she never knew she had and begins to understand that if you love something or someone - especially yourself - it's worth fighting for.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school where the students are exceptional, the faculty trust that everyone does the right thing, and the administration sees only what it wants to see - perfection.
So when Alex spends a drunken-night with a male student and awakes to evidence of a sexual encounter she can't remember, she doesn't know where to turn for help. As she slowly comes to terms with the fact that she was date raped, she enlists the help of the Mockingbirds - a secret society of her peers whose mission is to right the wrongs that the faculty and administration don't even know exist.
In standing up to her attacker, Alex discovers a strength she never knew she had and begins to understand that if you love something or someone - especially yourself - it's worth fighting for.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Mockingbirds gets off to an intense, impressive start with Alex waking up naked in bed with a boy she doesn't remember. She's stumbling around, trying to get dressed and out of there, trying to remember what happened and panicking about exactly what could have happened. The confusion of emotions Alex is going through are very vivid and it almost feels like you're going through them with her. That intense and vivid writing continues throughout the book as Alex makes her choices of what to do and how she's coping with the aftermath of the rape.
I found The Mockingbirds very hard to put down. It's a very strong book both in writing and with the characters, most of whom I found to be really well drawn. It's brutally honest as Alex starts remembering things, and the roller coaster of emotions that go with the events. Even down to the littler details, like how she took different routes to classes to avoid the boy and wouldn't enter the cafeteria for lunch. I loved the idea of the Mockingbirds and how they worked too. I liked seeing Alex adapt and grow and stand up throughout the book and her reactions felt very real. It was hard reading at times because I got so wrapped up in Alex's emotions it felt like I was right there with her.
One thing that did bother me a bit though and stop this from getting a higher rating from me, is the lack of adult involvement. I can understands why Alex was adamant not to go to the police, although I wish any girl in real life facing the same situation would go to them. And I can understand her hesitance to speak up to any of her teachers as well, but I really wished she would have. I don't think it's the kind of thing where a student shouldn't find an adult to talk to. There is one scene in particular where there are a couple of teachers talking with Alex and another student after an incident in class and I would seriously hope that that is not a real portrayal of how any teachers at any boarding school would act now!
However, it is still a very strong book. I really liked how things worked out in the end and the roles various characters played, I won't mention details for spoilers sake but it was something I found very satisfying. It's a heart wrenching, powerful read and one I'd highly recommend! It is brutally honest and not easy as it doesn't hide any of the dark facts about date rape, but those are reasons to read it, not avoid it. This is a subject that needs to be talked about more, not less, so that girls who are raped don't feel that they can't come forward, so they can stand up and take their lives back.
I found The Mockingbirds very hard to put down. It's a very strong book both in writing and with the characters, most of whom I found to be really well drawn. It's brutally honest as Alex starts remembering things, and the roller coaster of emotions that go with the events. Even down to the littler details, like how she took different routes to classes to avoid the boy and wouldn't enter the cafeteria for lunch. I loved the idea of the Mockingbirds and how they worked too. I liked seeing Alex adapt and grow and stand up throughout the book and her reactions felt very real. It was hard reading at times because I got so wrapped up in Alex's emotions it felt like I was right there with her.
One thing that did bother me a bit though and stop this from getting a higher rating from me, is the lack of adult involvement. I can understands why Alex was adamant not to go to the police, although I wish any girl in real life facing the same situation would go to them. And I can understand her hesitance to speak up to any of her teachers as well, but I really wished she would have. I don't think it's the kind of thing where a student shouldn't find an adult to talk to. There is one scene in particular where there are a couple of teachers talking with Alex and another student after an incident in class and I would seriously hope that that is not a real portrayal of how any teachers at any boarding school would act now!
However, it is still a very strong book. I really liked how things worked out in the end and the roles various characters played, I won't mention details for spoilers sake but it was something I found very satisfying. It's a heart wrenching, powerful read and one I'd highly recommend! It is brutally honest and not easy as it doesn't hide any of the dark facts about date rape, but those are reasons to read it, not avoid it. This is a subject that needs to be talked about more, not less, so that girls who are raped don't feel that they can't come forward, so they can stand up and take their lives back.
Format:Hardcover
I just don't know how i feel about this one. I do believe that Alex was date-raped but this was after a lot of uncertainty. Alex was obviously very drunk and no, she shouldn't have had sex when so inebriated, but the thing is, for more than half of the novel she can't remember the night completely and so I just couldn't tell myself that she was definitely raped. Before Alex hazily remembers anything, she is still claiming that she's been raped and I just found this a bit unfair - she was drunk and couldn't remember anything, so the chances are that he (Carter) could have been the same and they could've both just made a regrettable decision. Rape is a serious accusation to make and even though the author experienced it herself, I just don't feel like it was taken seriously enough. I know that they're central to the book, but I thought it was ridiculous that a rapist was on trial to a bunch of schoolkids. Yes, it's great that the students are sticking together and standing up for what they believe in, but sometimes things need to go further - like to the police, which was barely encouraged. Yes, I liked the idea of the Mockingbirds and how they modelled themselves upon Boo Radley and Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird's ideas, but I don't think such a serious issue should've been handled by them.
Some of this book was effective and it at least gets the message out there - stand up for yourself and do try and speak out. I just don't think that this was message was put out in the right way. Quite flawed and could've been better.
Some of this book was effective and it at least gets the message out there - stand up for yourself and do try and speak out. I just don't think that this was message was put out in the right way. Quite flawed and could've been better.
Format:Hardcover
This is a pretty easy review for me. I thought this was a brilliant read and I loved everything about it.
For dealing with such a hard topic, this book was a really easy read for me with the way rape was dealt with and how the protagonist felt about it. I felt all of her pain, confusion and doubts which made it a really refreshing read.
I would say the only problem I had with this book was how `The Mockingbirds' punished students who did something out of line in any way or form. For rape it was kind of...unfair. I did enjoy how they encouraged people speaking out and discovering their voice as it were, but sometimes it made me a little bit uneasy.
I really do recommend this read though, it was fantastic and it's definitely one I will read again.
For dealing with such a hard topic, this book was a really easy read for me with the way rape was dealt with and how the protagonist felt about it. I felt all of her pain, confusion and doubts which made it a really refreshing read.
I would say the only problem I had with this book was how `The Mockingbirds' punished students who did something out of line in any way or form. For rape it was kind of...unfair. I did enjoy how they encouraged people speaking out and discovering their voice as it were, but sometimes it made me a little bit uneasy.
I really do recommend this read though, it was fantastic and it's definitely one I will read again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Mockingbirds
I'm finding it really difficult to write a review for The Mockingbirds because I have such mixed feelings about the story. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sarah Gibson
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Gold Star Award Winner!
What happens if one night you imbibe too much alcohol - and when you pass out someone rapes you?
This is what happens to Alex. Read more
What happens if one night you imbibe too much alcohol - and when you pass out someone rapes you?
This is what happens to Alex. Read more
Published 11 months ago by TeensReadToo
fab book
I read this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. A brave take on a hard hitting subject which was executed beautifully. I would highly recommend it to all. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Kirsty at the Overflowing Library
Emotional
From the information about the author this book has been written on personal experience making it all the more powerful, emotional and compelling. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Book Angel Emma
Engaging and relatable
The story and characters are easily to relate to and any girl in a dilemma with boarding schools, moving away from home or this particular problem: date rape will be able to take... Read more
Published 15 months ago by bethycool
Listen to the Mockingbirds - They Mean Business!
"Instant Karma's gonna get you, gonna look you right in the face. Better get yourself together darling, and join the human race. Read more
Published 18 months ago by BeatleBangs1964
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