Chapter 1: Scout's father is an attorney and her mother died when she was two. She has an older brother whose name is Jem. It's the summer and Dill, nephew of their landlord, has come to stay for the season. They spend the summer playing together and speculating about the Radley house.
Chapter 2: Miss Caroline’s teaching methods show immediately that within the world of the novel school is silly for most children and forces them to conform rather than building on what they already know. Note too that Scout makes it clear that Miss Caroline is from Winston County and therefore is an outsider who shouldn’t be taken seriously. This again illustrates how insular Maycomb is while also making the case that Scout is missing out on opportunities to expand her horizons by writing off people from other places outright.
Chapter 3: Scout starts a fight with Walter at lunch since she blames him for getting in trouble with their teacher. Jem stops the fight and invited Walter back to their house for lunch. When at home Scout criticizes Walter for the way he eats his food and Calpurnia scolds her for her behavior. Back at school Miss Caroline reacts badly to the cooties in a student's hair. The student is Burris Ewell, who is from an extremely poor family. She sends him home but the class explains that Ewell children only come to the first day of school anyway. When Burris leaves he shouts obscenities at Miss Fisher causing her to cry. The class tries to placate her.
Chapter 4: While walking home Scout finds two pieces of gum in the tree on the edge of the Radley lot. Later she and Jem find two pennies in the same tree. The children have no idea who is leaving the items in the tree.School gets out for the summer and that means the arrival of Dill. The children start coming up with games to keep them occupied. During a game Scout is rolled onto the Radley while in a tire. This gives jem the idea for them to pretend to be the Radley family. Atticus finds them playing in the yard and suspects that their game is at the expense of their neighbors and tells the trio to stop. Scout tells Jem that they should listen to Atticus and do what he says, but Jem thinks they can keep playing without getting in any further trouble. Scout, though is afraid. She believes that the afternoon she rolled into the Radley yard she could here someone inside of the house laughing at them.
Chapter 5: Scout begins to spend more time with Maudie Atkinson their next door neighbor. She asks Miss Atkinson about Boo Radley. Miss Atkinson explains that the Radleys are very strict Baptists and they stay reclusive for religious reasons. Meanwhile Dill and Jem hatch a plan to give a note to Boo Radley. Dill and Scout are instructed to stand watch while Jem tries to slip the note into the house. Dill sounds the alarm that Atticus is coming down the street. The group is caught and Jem admits that they were trying to give a note to Boo. Atticus tells them to quit harassing the Radleys.
Chapter 6: On Dill's last evening in Maycomb, the group begins the evening at Miss Rachel's pond. Dill and Jem decide to make one last attempt to see Boo. Scout reluctantly agrees to go with them. The trio sneaks to the house in the dark. As they move to the window someone is out in the yard. He walks close to them, and after he passes, the children run for the gate near the schoolyard. A gunshot goes off as they try to escape. Jem's pants are caught on the fence and he has to remove them to go free.When the children return to the street they see a large crowd gathered in front of the Radley house. Nathan Radley tells the crowd that some negro was in his collard patch and that he fired the gun to scare off the intruder. As the crowd talks Atticus notices that Jem has no pants on. Dill comes up with a quick story that he won them from Jem in a poker game. After evading Atticus Jem decides to return and get his pants.
Chapter 7: School begins and Scout enters the second grade. Jem finally admits to Scout what happened the night he went back for his pants. He found them folded neatly on the fence and someone had done a poor job trying to repair the tear.On another walk, home they find a grey ball of twine in the tree on the Radley lot. Later, the find two carved soap figures; one of a girl and one of a boy. Another time they find gum and a pocket watch. Scout and Jem decide to leave a thank you note in the tree for whoever is leaving them the gifts. The next day the hole in the tree has been filled with cement. Jem asks Nathan Radley why cement was poured in the tree, and he explains that the tree is ill and needed it.
Chapter 8:Maycomb sees it's first winter in years and it startles Scout, who has never seen a snowfall. She and Jem decide to take the opportunity to make a snowman and enjoy what little snow is on the ground.That evening Scout is woken by Atticus to find that Maudie Atkinson's house is burning. The town gathers to help move out furniture and personal belongings. The house finally collapses and the firefighters rush to make sure that no other houses at threatened by the flames. Jem and Scout watch in awe and fear, so taken with the scene that they do not realize that someone has places a blanket around Scout. Atticus tells Scout that it was Boo Radley who placed the blanket around her. Jem is overtaken with all that has happened and tells Atticus all that has happened with the Radleys.Jem and Scout go to see Maudie the next morning. They are shocked with her positive attitude about the fire. Maudie sees the fire as a chance to start over and move on.
Chapter 9: Scout gets in a fight at school with a boy who says that her father defends negros. Scout tells Atticus about the fight and asks him what they boy meant. Atticus explains that he is defending Tom Robinson, a black man, and many in the town believe that he should not have taken the case. When someone at school makes a similar comment, Scout heeds her father's advice about fighting, and backs down.Christmas arrives, and so does Atticus' brother Jack. On Christmas day Jem and Scout receive air rifles as gifts. After opening presents, everyone goes to Finch's Landing to spend the rest of the day. Scout has to deal with her bratty cousin Francis for most of the day. After dinner Francis calls tells Scout that her father is a negro lover. Although Scout has been good about fighting, Scout attacks him and demands he take it back. This brings the day to an abrupt end. Scout receives a spanking from her Uncle Jack. She explains to Jack why she started a fight with Francis, and he becomes more understanding.That evening, Atticus talks to Jack about the case and all of the problems that may arise because of it.
Chapter 10: Mrs. Dubose was known as the obnoxious lady in town, she was old and going crazy. Atticus informed Jem and Scout that she was a previous morphine addict. One day, the children walk by her house and she was out on the porch. She then started to bash the children. Jem couldn't take it, he then trashed her house by ruining her plants with his sisters baton. His consequences were, for about a month to read to Mrs.Dubose. Right after their time was up, she pasted away.
Chapter 11: Summer returns and Jem will be turning 12 soon. His adolescent traits are starting to show; depicted by him telling Scout to stop bothering him and start acting like a lady instead of girl as he used to say. Dill writes to say he can't come and with it goes the hopes for a fun summer. He says that he has a new stepfather and that they were going to build a fishing boat together. He assures Scout he loves her and promises to come for her when he gets money. Atticus is called to an emergency session of state legislature. In his absence Calpurnia takes the kids to a black church, and they are received with a mixture of kindness and prejudice. The discrimination is an eye-opening experience; prompting them to discuss education religion and the differences between blacks and whites. When they get home the sight of Aunt Alexandra waiting for them catches them by surprise.
Aunt Alexandra takes the role of instilling good behavior on Jem and Scout to live up to the Finch family name. To please Alexandra, Atticus tells his children to behave accordingly as the good family name requires. They get confused, and Scout begins to cry. He then tells them to forget everything he just said.
Scout tells Aunt Alexandra that Calpurnia took them to her church. Atticus isn't perturbed but Alexandra is, and when she hears that Calpurnia invited Scout to her house, she tells Atticus to fire her. Atticus defends her and claims she is part of the family. Trying to behave like an adult, Jem tells Scout to stop making Alexandra angry. Later that night, Scout steps on something that moves in her room and thinks it's a snake. Upon searching they find Dill under her bed; he had run from home because his stepfather never wanted him around. Atticus tells Miss Rachel where Dill is so she can inform his parents. As they fall asleep, Scout asks Dill why Boo Radley never ran away, and Dill says that maybe he had nowhere to run to; making Scout appreciate her family bond with Jem and Atticus more.
The next week, things seem better for Scout. Dill is staying for the summer, Jem agrees to assist them in repairing the tree house, she is in good terms with her aunt, and Dill has set another plan to lure out Boo. Sheriff Tate and a group of men, including Dr. Reynolds and Mr. Avery, come one day to inform Atticus that Robinson was being transferred to the county jail because it was dangerous for him to stay in the town jail a night before his trial. The reality of the case dawns on the family as Jem begins to worry about his father. The following evening Atticus leaves for the town after supper, and the three kids follow him sneakily. He camps out in front of the Maycomb jail as the kids watch from a distance. Cars arrive, and men empty out, looking for Robinson. Scout runs to Atticus and Jem, and Dill is forced to follow. A small struggle ensues, but Atticus refuses to let them through. When Scout identifies Walter Cunningham's father, he tells him to say hello to his son; and her innocent request eases the tension as the men drive away.
After the incident with the mob the previous night, the Finch home is very tense. Alexandra is upset the kids snuck out, while Atticus is glad they showed up. As the jury selection for the case begins, Atticus asks the kids to stay away from the courthouse that day. They are very curious because of the people passing their house to the courthouse. During the afternoon session, they stop to pick up Dill and head to the court house; where they find seats in ‘the Colored balcony.
As the trial begins, Sheriff Tate gives his testimony, stating that Bob Ewell entered his office claiming his daughter Mayella had been raped and beaten by a black man. They went to the Ewells,' and she identified her attacker as Tom Robinson. When Atticus cross-examined him, he established that they didn't call a doctor and that the right side of Mayella's face received most of the beating, meaning the assailant was left handed. When Bob Ewell steps onto the stand, Scout reveals a backstory about the Ewells that every town has a family like them which is poor and are angry about it. Bob Ewell's story matches the sheriff's, but Atticus sees loopholes in it, like the fact that they never called a doctor; and shows him to be left handed – a possibility that he could have been Mayella's rapist. Jem is excited about the proceedings, but Scout isn't.
As the trial begins, Sheriff Tate gives his testimony, stating that Bob Ewell entered his office claiming his daughter Mayella had been raped and beaten by a black man. They went to the Ewells,' and she identified her attacker as Tom Robinson. When Atticus cross-examined him, he established that they didn't call a doctor and that the right side of Mayella's face received most of the beating, meaning the assailant was left handed. When Bob Ewell steps onto the stand, Scout reveals a backstory about the Ewells that every town has a family like them which is poor and are angry about it. Bob Ewell's story matches the sheriff's, but Atticus sees loopholes in it, like the fact that they never called a doctor; and shows him to be left handed – a possibility that he could have been Mayella's rapist. Jem is excited about the proceedings, but Scout isn't.
Atticus’s cross-examination of Mayella clearly indicates that Tom Robinson couldn’t have committed the crime he is accused of. Mayella is defiant and even stops answering Atticus’s questions towards the end because the evidence is in plain sight for everyone to see; but it still doesn’t guarantee Tom Robinson’s freedom. Atticus knows that the case can’t be won, but the children show some kind of childlike hope that based on the evidence, Tom cannot be convicted. However, there is a feeling that Tom is going to be found guilty.
Tom's testimony reveals him as a gentle and caring man who occasionally helped his neighbors; the Ewells. He states that Mayella had been inviting him over the fence to perform small tasks for her, and she always made sexual advances at him. On the day in question, he assisted her, and she kissed him, but when her father saw it, he fled. Mr. Gilmer's cross examination doesn’t change Tom's testimony. He is asked why he would do all that work without getting paid and he responds that he feels sorry for Mayella, a statement that insults the Ewells. Dill suddenly begins crying, and Jem tells Scout to take him outside to the square, where he reveals that Mr. Gilmer's cross-examination on Tom was what upset him.
In the square, the two talk with Dolphus Raymond who has a black girlfriend and children of mixed-race, something looked down upon by many in Maycomb. He offers Dill coca cola, which Scout thinks is alcohol. Surprised, she asks Raymond why he lets people think he's a drunkard, and he answers that the people would leave him and his family alone if they think he's a drunkard. The children return to the courtroom and Dill gets Scout and Jem's attention as he points at Calpurnia as she walks towards Atticus.
Calpurnia passes a note informing Atticus that his children are missing from the house, but the newspaper publisher Braxton Underwood tells him that the children are in the Colored balcony. They meet downstairs, and Atticus orders them to go back home. Alexandra is shocked to learn where they had gone to. After eating they get back, and the jury arrives with the verdict at around 11 pm. The guilty verdict is read, and after changing a few words with Mr. Gilmer, he packs his briefcase and leaves, to a standing ovation from everyone in the Colored balcony, including Reverend Sykes.
Jem, Scout, Dill, and Alexandra are all worried about Atticus after the ordeal with Mr. Ewell, but he reassures them that all is well. They all look forward to Tom Robinson's appeal which Atticus is confident they have a good chance of winning. When Atticus states that he allowed a relative of Walter Cunningham's to serve on the jury, Scout remembers Walter and promises to invite him for lunch again once school reopens. But Alexandra forbids her form playing with Walter because he is ‘trash' and can impart bad habits in her. Scout is upset about what her aunt says about Walter as Jem says that he is starting to understand why Boo prefers to remain indoors.
With summer almost ending and Dill about to leave, he and Jem go to Baker's Eddy where Jem teaches him to swim. Alexandra invited old missionary friends over, but Scout is uncomfortable around them and prefers to be with Calpurnia making refreshments. Atticus suddenly arrives and pulls Alexandra aside to inform her that Tom Robinson had been shot while attempting to escape from prison. Atticus and Calpurnia leave to go and inform Tom's wife about the bad news. Alexandra wonders how much more the town will throw at Atticus, but Miss Maudie tells her that the people's trust in Atticus is a tribute to him.
When school restarts, the children start passing by the Radley house, and Scout finds herself regretting having been obsessed with Boo Radley matters since she thinks it may have tormented the poor boy. In school, Scout has a current events period once a week and this week one of her classmates, Cecil Jacobs brings an article on Hitler's prosecution of the Jews which is particularly about forcing them into camps. Once the article is read, someone asks how Hitler can get away with his actions and why the government cannot stop him, and this brings up a discussion on democracy where the teacher explains that democracy brings the difference between the United States and Germany. She adds that prosecution is not allowed in the United States. Scout brings the conversation home and asks his father and brother; she wanted to get the idea of hate and persecution. She, however, recalls seeing her teacher, Miss Gates, on the courthouse door on the night of Tom Robinson's trial and she was talking about how black people were getting a little too above themselves, and it was time someone taught them a lesson. Scout could not understand why Miss Gates hated Hitler for the way he treated Jews, people very far away from them, when she treated people she knew so poorly. She asks Jem, but he refuses to answer because of his annoyance at the court's decision.
By October, life starts going back to its normal self, but the Finches cannot seem to get Tom out of their minds especially when everyone around them is talking about how he gets employed but loses his job almost immediately. It was a Work Project Administration, a government program put up at the time of Great Depression, and Scout can't help but wonder how he got himself fired. Ewell, however, blames Atticus for his misfortune. Another scenario takes place in Judge Taylor's house where someone broke into the house but the Judge did not see his face. Everyone was certain that it was Bob Ewell. The third scenario is Bob's harassment of Hellen Robinson. Hellen had gotten a job in Link Deas' house and to get there she had to pass the Ewell's where she gets harassed. Deas goes to Ewell and threatens him to end his harassment towards Hellen. As the chapter ends, scout talks about Maycomb's plan for Halloween which is to be hosted at the high school with activities for both adults and children, for instance, a performance titled Maycomb County. The children are supposed to present some of the county's agricultural product and Scout is chosen to be the ham.