To Kill A Mockingbird' author Harper Lee to publish second novel

Author Harper Lee

88-year-old author Harper Lee is set to publish her second book. According to a statement from Lee released by the publisher Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins, the book, "Go Set a Watchman," is essentially a sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird," although it was written before the Pulitzer Prize-winning "To Kill a Mockingbird," which was published in 1960 and, until now, was Lee's only novel. .
The 304-page book will be Lee's second, and the first new work in more than 50 years. The title appears to be taken from Isaiah 21:6: "For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth."  The book will be released July 14.

Harper Lees's first book, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of the most bestselling books of all time. It has sold more than 40 million copies, continues to sell a million copies per year and has been translated into 40 languages. It was released on July 11, 1960, won the Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a 1962 movie of the same name, starring Gregory Peck in an Oscar-winning performance as the courageous attorney Atticus Finch.

Although occasionally banned over the years because of its language and racial themes, the novel has become a standard for reading clubs and middle schools and high schools. The absence of a second book from Lee only seemed to enhance the appeal of "Mockingbird."