Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird

The inspiring true story of Harper Lee, the girl who grew up to write To Kill a Mockingbird, from Bethany Hegedus and Erin McGuire. Perfect for fans of The Right Word and I Dissent. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Nelle Harper Lee grew up in the rocky red soil of Monroeville, Alabama. From the get-go she was a spitfire.

Unlike most girls at that time and place, Nelle preferred overalls to dresses and climbing trees to tea parties. Nelle loved to watch her daddy try cases in the courtroom. And she and her best friend, Tru, devoured books and wrote stories of their own. More than anything Nelle loved words.

This love eventually took her all the way to New York City, where she dreamed of becoming a writer. Any chance she had, Nelle sat at her typewriter, writing, revising, and chasing her dream. Nelle wouldn’t give up—not until she discovered the right story, the one she was born to tell.

Finally, that story came to her, and Nelle, inspired by her childhood, penned To Kill a Mockingbird. A groundbreaking book about small-town injustice that has sold over forty million copies, Nelle’s novel resonated with readers the world over, who, through reading, learned what it was like to climb into someone else’s skin and walk around in it.

Nelle Harper Lee grew up in the rocky red soil of Monroeville, Alabama. From the get-go she was a spitfire.

Unlike most girls, Nelle preferred overalls to dresses and climbing trees to tea parties. Nelle loved to watch her daddy try cases in the courtroom. And she and her best friend, Tru, devoured books and wrote stories of their own. More than anything, Nelle loved words. 

This love eventually took her all the way to New York City, where she dreamed of becoming a writer. Any chance she had, Nelle sat at her typewriter, writing, revising, and chasing her dream. Nelle wouldn’t give up—not until she discovered the right story, the one she was born to tell. 

Finally, that story came to her, and Nelle, inspired by her childhood, penned To Kill a Mockingbird. A groundbreaking book about small-town injustice that sold over forty million copies, Nelle’s novel resonated with readers the world over, who, through reading, learned what it was like to climb into someone else’s skin and walk around in it. 

From Bethany Hegedus and Erin McGuire comes the inspiring true story of Harper Lee, the scrappy tomboy who grew up to be one of the most beloved writers of the twentieth century.

Praise for HARD WORK, BUT IT'S WORTH IT: “The book doesn't shy away from Carter's failings…But it ends with his triumphant return to prominence as a humanitarian, depicting a man always true to himself and the "Good Mental Habits" list he wrote as a boy.” - New York Times Book Review

Praise for HARD WORK, BUT IT'S WORTH IT: “Uses stories from Carter’s childhood to engage young readers while making significant points…. An informative introduction to Jimmy Carter.” - ALA Booklist

“The inspirational story of a protagonist who ‘carved out a life of her own design.’” - Kirkus Reviews

“Admirably show[s] Lee’s experiences in Alabama and in New York City.” - School Library Journal

“An affectionate ode to a writer who “carved out a life of her own design,”” - Publishers Weekly

Praise for HARD WORK, BUT IT'S WORTH IT: “Intertwined qualities of grit and social conscience inform every page of Hegedus’s sensitive, uplifting biography, while Han’s reportorial digital illustrations reflect Carter’s unpretentious character.” - Publishers Weekly

Praise for HARD WORK, BUT IT'S WORTH IT: “An affectionate, admiring tribute to our 39th president.” - Kirkus Reviews