To Sing Like a Mockingbird

Judson Tolliver
What impressed me most about To Sing Like a Mockingbird is its depth of character. Justin is someone you root for even when he frustrates you, and that complexity kept me hooked. I thought the scenes at the reformatory were some of the most powerful, giving a glimpse of hope in the lives of kids society has already written off.

At the same time, the sheriff’s arc shows the other side of the coin, how ambition can hollow out even those who once meant well. The cartel influence looms in the background, but what really stuck with me were the personal conflicts.

Justin’s strained marriage and clashes with his brother added layers of authenticity. These weren’t side plots; they felt essential to understanding the cost of his choices.

The setting amplified everything the sense of isolation, the pressure of small-town politics, the weight of expectations. This isn’t a book for readers looking for easy resolutions, but for those who want to wrestle with moral gray areas, it’s a powerful read.