Wonderful news: To Kill a Mockingbird is about to get a sequel.

It was probably one of your favourite novels on the high school reading list — and now, it’s about to get a sequel.

A sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird is set to be released by publisher HarperCollins, and the book will be the first new work of author Harper Lee in more than 50 years.

The sequel, Go Set a Watchman was allegedly written before the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.

The 304-page book will be Lee’s second.

“In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called Go Set a Watchman,” 88-year-old Lee said in a statement.

“It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman, and I thought it a pretty decent effort,” she said.

“My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood, persuaded me to write a novel (what became To Kill a Mockingbird) from the point of view of the young Scout.

“I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told. I hadn’t realised it (the original book) had survived, so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it.

“After much thought and hesitation, I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years.”

 Related story: Colleen McCullough has died at age 77.

Set in the fictional southern town of Maycomb during the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman sees Scout return from New York to visit her father, Atticus Finch.

But while many of us will embrace the news, Jezebel reports that the release of the new novel is suspect, due to the recent death of Harper’s sister and lawyer, Alice Lee.

According to Jezebel, Alice “fiercely protected” her sister’s estate and works, but sadly passed three months ago. Harper Lee’s own health is also deteriorating after she suffered a stroke in 2007 which left her nearly blind and deaf.

In light of these hurdles, some are questioning if the publishing rights were obtained ethically.

Last year, Gawker also called into question the safety of Harper’s estate.