The Freedom Writers Diary (20th Anniversary Edition) - The Freedom Writers & Erin Gruwell

The Freedom Writers Diary (20th Anniversary Edition)

By The Freedom Writers & Erin Gruwell

  • Release Date: 1999-10-12
  • Genre: Education
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 125 Ratings

Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The twentieth anniversary edition of the classic story of an incredible group of students and the teacher who inspired them, featuring updates on the students’ lives, new journal entries, and an introduction by Erin Gruwell
 
Now a public television documentary, Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart
 
In 1994, an idealistic first-year teacher in Long Beach, California, named Erin Gruwell confronted a room of “unteachable, at-risk” students. She had intercepted a note with an ugly racial caricature and angrily declared that this was precisely the sort of thing that led to the Holocaust. She was met by uncomprehending looks—none of her students had heard of one of the defining moments of the twentieth century. So she rebooted her entire curriculum, using treasured books such as Anne Frank’s diary as her guide to combat intolerance and misunderstanding. Her students began recording their thoughts and feelings in their own diaries, eventually dubbing themselves the “Freedom Writers.”
 
Consisting of powerful entries from the students’ diaries and narrative text by Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary is an unforgettable story of how hard work, courage, and determination changed the lives of a teacher and her students. In the two decades since its original publication, the book has sold more than one million copies and inspired a major motion picture Freedom Writers. And now, with this twentieth-anniversary edition, readers are brought up to date on the lives of the Freedom Writers, as they blend indispensable takes on social issues with uplifting stories of attending college—and watch their own children follow in their footsteps. The Freedom Writers Diary remains a vital read for anyone who believes in second chances.

Reviews

  • Not for school

    1
    By Jajajshshdbcncuuensm
    This book was pushed on my daughter in 11th grade for English. I couldn’t read the first chapter without being shocked. This kind of work should not be required reading in public school.
  • Movies was great now the book

    5
    By 0g.nyiaa
    The book was outstanding the movie was very powerful and emotional I love the freedom writers
  • The Freedom Writers

    5
    By gelamadrigal
    Best book I have read about teenagers in trouble with the public schools system. I am originally from Long Beach, CA and was actually a student at Wilson High from 1993-1994 & had to drop out of high school cause of a 2nd pregnancy. This book is amazing because of how I relate to some of the stories in the students diaries. Thank God my mother moved to Northern CA and I was able to graduate from high school take a short course and ended up finding an awesome job working for the Federal Government. Now my girls are age 19 & 20 both graduates and now in college best feeling ever. Now I need to visit The Freedom Writers Foundation and donate cash for the best of other needed students. I have also referred other co-workers to purchase the book and donate to foundation to assist those in need. Love & will continue to encourage other to share the wealth. I must say this books was actually read by my son a few years ago and I kept putting it aside to read until now. I must admit that I was scared to picture my self back in the days or admitting to some of these awful things that I was part off back then. My son now 18 loves reading and failed in love with this book & Anne Franks Diary. So Thanks to my baby boy for the recommendation.
  • Best book ever

    5
    By Livelovealex
    This is soo good the movies even better!!
  • Better than most

    4
    By Snm604
    Most of the books my school picks for summer reading are pretty lame, so when I saw that this was an option and read the description I was pretty excited. The first half of the book did not disappoint. Every kid had a different hardship and story that kept me interested and there was always something I, or anyone else, could relate to. However, the latter half left me unsatisfied. It was boring and basically the same thing was repeated over and over for the last 50 or so diary entries. Yes, (spoiler alert) everyone graduated and lived happily ever after. Good for them, but I don't need to hear about the same exact thing 50 times, just slightly reworded each time. But if you like a good, heartwarming story about the average high schooler packed with cheesy life lessons, go for it.
  • Surprised

    4
    By NeCe Doug
    This book is a lot better than I thought it would be. I had to read for school for a bio report and I actually wanted to read a different book but thought I should put this as my first choice becauase of my bad luck. Well I ended up getting this one anyway. I am so happy. It is amazing and so much better than I thought it would be. I did find some content a little offensive but I can understand how it was not meant to hurt. But it was good.
  • AMAZING!!!

    5
    By wonderbugs
    THIS IS AMAZING. IT BRINGS JOY TO ME!!