Even though Mockingbird is geared towards younger readers, Kathryn Erskine makes it easy for readers of all ages to empathize with every aspect of Caitlin’s behavior, no matter how quirky or disruptive. The reader easily slips into Caitlin’s mindset, and all those within her circle who fail to remain patient with Caitlin’s quirks quickly become evil. Yet, this is not a story about Asperger’s. While it provides remarkable insight into the thought patterns of someone with Asperger’s, Mockingbird is ultimately a poignant story on the ravages of grief. Caitlin and her father, along with the entire town, struggle to make sense of the tragedy that changed their lives forever. Ultimately, it is Caitlin’s faith in her beloved brother that unites the community in their grief in a way that is so simple it is brilliant. Readers of different ages will walk away from Mockingbird with different insights, but the emotional tug that comes from Caitlin’s struggles for normalcy cross generations and provide the story its heart. An emotionally engaging and quick read, Mockingbird is one novel that everyone should read in order to understand how being different truly feels.
