Haunted by her sister's
mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky,
in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent
of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for
the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and
intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.
Born
in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother
Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving
Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults
on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to
eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?
As Lucy emerges
from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds
her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she
hadn't expected: love.
Inspired by the true events of the
Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne
Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into
taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this
enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.
MY REVIEW: Talented storyteller Suzanne Woods Fisher shines a light on a revelatory chapter of American history in "The Moonlight School". Blending fact and fiction, and introducing real life figures to created characters, the author weaves an inspiring tale which focuses on adult illiteracy in 20th Century Kentucky. "Moonlight Schools" got their name because classes for adults were held in children's daytime one-room schools on nights when the moon cast enough light for students to see the paths and trails to the school buildings. In the Spring of 1911, Lucy Wilson is sent by her father to rural Rowan County, KY to assist her cousin Cora (real-life historical heroine, Cora Wilson Stewart) in the fight for literacy by providing reading and writing lessons for adults seeking to improve their lives. Raised in privilege, Lucy is taken aback by the poverty and age-old primitiveness of the lifestyles she encounters. However, as time passes, she begins to see a simplistic beauty in the people and the surroundings. A certain young man of a fine character, Brother Wyatt, catches her interest and stirs her heart. Long haunted by the childhood disappearance of her younger sister, Charlotte, Lucy will also discover unexpected, life-changing news about what really happened to her sister all those years ago. This story really resonated with me because one of my goals is to promote literacy--there are still many people in the United States and the world who are struggling with literacy. Improving reading skills boosts self-esteem, opens up the world, enables informed decision making, and brings forth all kinds of new opportunities. People who read for pleasure have good imaginations, an ability to think outside the box, and the vision to go beyond black and white to see all the shades in between. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wonderful writer, and she brings these people and their place in history to life with great care and detail. Highly recommended.
Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via LibraryThing
Reviews
"A captivating story with rich history and engaging characters who pull at your heartstrings. If you like fascinating history mixed with great storytelling the way I do, you'll love The Moonlight Schools."--Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of These Healing Hills and An Appalachian Summer
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