Watch CBS News

Local Students React To Death Of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' Author Harper Lee

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) —  Harper Lee, the elusive novelist whose child's-eye view of racial injustice in a small Southern town, "To Kill a Mockingbird," became standard reading for millions of young people and an Oscar-winning film, has died.

Lee died peacefully Thursday, publisher HarperCollins said in a statement Friday. It did not give any other details about how she died.

Students at Chaminade College Preparatory read the popular novel  just last year.

"It really brought us back, when I read it, in the time [of the novel]," Sheindel Gamerberg said.

Other students seem to agree, arguing that Lee's epic novel is timeless.

"This book was written at a time that was very significant during our history. The civil rights movement was going on, and this book really embodies the feel of the '60s and the Deep South, and those racial tensions and discrimination," Isiuwa Omolgui said.

The students also met and discussed their favorite parts of the best-seller.

"The part in the courthouse was most appealing to me, and I think that it kind of brought out more of both sides of the story," Hiba Alnajjar said.

Click here for a full obituary of Harper Lee.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.