Recently, bestselling author Harper Lee’s long lost prequel to the American classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” has been released. The highly anticipated prequel is set to be released July 2015 and has already reached #1 on Amazon’s best sellers list.  Lee’s book “Go set a Watchman”, originally written in the 1950s, features the characters from “To Kill a Mockingbird” and regards the adult life of Scout Finch. The book takes place about 20 years into the future from “To Kill a Mockingbird” but was created years before it. “Go Set a Watchman” was supposed to be released before “to Kill a Mockingbird” but Lee’s editor rejected it, suggesting Lee to write the story about Finch’s childhood. Harper Lee sent the story to her publishers in the 1950s and it was never discovered until 2014. Thankfully, Harper Lee’s lawyer and good friend Tonja Carter found the novel, making the new piece Lee’s first release in 50 years.

“I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years,” said the Pulitzer Prize winning author.

Although many are anticipating a sequel to the classic that portrayed racial and social equality, some are speculating Lee’s actual wishes for the future of this story. After the news, questions rose due to the known fact that Lee has told friends and relatives for years that she did not want to publish another book. Some also question if Lee was manipulated into signing the publication of the prequel. These rumors were said to be false by historian Wayne Flint, a longtime friend of Harper Lee.

“This narrative of senility, exploitation of this helpless little old lady, is just hogwash. It’s just complete bunk,” Flynt said. “[There is ] no reason to question Tonja Carter’s integrity.”

The now blind, deaf, and wheelchair bound 88 year old has not responded to many interview requests keeping a rather private lifestyle. Her lawyer Tonja Lee has also strayed away from interviews.

Carter wrote in a statement that Harper Lee is “extremely hurt and humiliated” at the idea that she’s been taken advantage of. “She is a very strong, independent and wise woman who should be enjoying the discovery of her long lost novel … Instead, she is having to defend her own credibility and decision making.”

Many are debating if the novel “Go Set a Watchman” will live up to Lee’s original novel but fans of Lee’s work are eager to take a peek into our beloved character’s lives.

“I’m alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions to Watchman,” said Harper Lee.

FSA Connection Questions

1. Summarize the article in one sentence.
2. According to the story, the word manipulated means…
3. Use the word manipulate in a sentence.
4. Select one sentence from the article that best supports the main idea.