To Kill a Mockingbird pgs. 1-71 (71 pgs.)

The book is narrarated by Scout Finch. The book starts out with a flashback, and the reaccounting of how Scout's brother, Jem, broke his arm. Throughout the story there are multiple flashbacks and flashforwards which I do not like. It's not that I find it hard to keep up with the storyline, but that it's not the style of writing I enjoy.
From the very beginning of the book it is easy to tell that Scout is a fighter, not a lover. Her solution to everything is fighting. I actually admire this child in some way because she knows what she believes is right. She fights for the truth even though she's so young. There are many instances though when she could handle the situations more maturely. For example, she beat her friend Dill up for not paying enough attention to her. This shows her age because it is very juvenile to show that much lack of self control. Perhaps she turns to fighting to solve her problems because she knows she'll win? I mean it is a technique that seems to work for her.
Scout goes on to explain her family history. The first of her ancestors to come to America was a fur-trader, Simon Finch. He established a farm that supported the family for many years. Scout's father, Atticus, was the first to make a living away from the farm as he became a lawyer in the town, Maycomb. The story takes place during the Great Depression. Atticus is a single father, but their cook Calpurnia helps raise the children. His wife died when his children were very young.
In the summer of 1933 Scout and Jem's friend Dill comes to visit. Dill tells the children of a man named Boo Radley who lives near the Finch's home. Dill convinces them that Boo is crazy. The story goes that Boo lives in his family's home where as a child his father used to imprison him. He later stabbed his father, but his parents refused to commit him to an asylum. When Boo's father died his brother Nathan came to live with him. Boo is never seen outside of the run-down house, but the children decide they should luer him out.
Dill leaves in September, and Scout begins school for the first time. Scout gets along horribly with her teacher. She gets in a fight her first day, but her brother intervenes. The rest of the school year is just as bad, but the children remain interested in Boo. He starts leaving them goodies under a tree in his yard.
Dill returns during the Summer, and grows closer to Jem leaving Scout feeling left out. She begins to spend time with an older lady in the neighborhood who loves baking, Miss Maudie Atkinson. Miss Maudie tells Scout about Boo as a child, saying he was always polite.