**A biography of the author of *To Kill a Mockingbird* and *Go Set a Watchman* —adapted for young readers by the *New York Times* –bestselling author of *Mockingbird*.** **A 2009 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year** *To Kill a Mockingbird* is one of the most widely read novels in American literature. It’s also a perennial favorite in high school English classrooms across the nation. Yet the author Harper Lee was a mysterious figure who lead a very private life in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, refusing to give interviews or talk about the novel that made her a household name. Lee’s life was as rich as her fiction, from her girlhood as a rebellious tomboy to her days at the University of Alabama and early years as a struggling writer in New York City. Charles J. Shields is the author of the *New York Times* bestseller *Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee* , which he has adapted here for younger readers. What emerges in this riveting portrait is the story of an unconventional, high-spirited woman who drew on her love of writing and her Southern home to create a book that continues to speak to new generations of readers. Anyone who has enjoyed *To Kill a Mockingbird* will appreciate this glimpse into the life of its fascinating author. **“Readers will come away with the sense not only that they know the writer of [ *To Kill a Mockingbird *,] but also that she is someone that they would quite like.” —* The Bulletin*** **“An absorbing and easy narrative style.” — *Kirkus Reviews*** **“A fascinating look at the unconventional Lee.” — *Booklist*** **“A surprisingly fascinating read.” — *School Library Journal*** **“A page-turner.” — *ElleGirl***