Freedom Writers

Okay, I am still waiting for the answer. How is all this helping Sharon?
I hmm finished the book. I am looking forward to Thursday.

Freedom Writers

Okay, it is getting a better. How is this helping Sharon? I would like for teachers to teach in this manner, but I am sure Ms G. gave up alot of her life for the children. She is married now.
What is she doing now. What about the students that have gone through her class. Is there a way to do a follow up.
What is Sharon trying to find out?

Zlata's Diary

We have multiple copies of Zlata's Diary in the library by the way if anyone
wants to read it!
Kathy

Freedom Writers

Okay, i am the poop in the group. I have stop midway through-I will finish the book before next week. But I am a bit bored. I am also critical. I am one of those poops that think the kids could not write this eloquently. I suppose there were those "ghost writers" or Ms. G that edited the stories that would be selected for the book. The content of the stories is very good and the stories are eye openers. I kept thinking what if I had made a different choice and had ended up in this area. What would my sons have been like. Would they be dead or in jail . It is sad that it becomes a culture. This thinking is transfered from one generation to another. I can idenify with some of the emotions, but I do thank God I do not idenify with the situations. I can't image having to worry about my children having to get an education because of the violence. Okay, when I read a bit more I will add to my comments.

Great point Shannon, we take feeling "safe" for granted, you know it? When I went to Central
America I was surprised that the constant state of fear EVERYONE lives in. Poor people are fearful of getting enough food/medicine/clothing and wealthy people are afraid someone is going to take what they have by force. We are very fortunate.

I have a new hope for the future...

Wow, reading about these kids and their living nightmares really opened my eyes. I also finished the book and don't want to ruin the ending but will say that I do have a new/refreshed attitude toward the youth of America (ok, that sounds a little cheesy). I am thankful for Ms. G and her refusal to give up on these kids that everyone else deemed failures. I am also grateful that I never had to worry about my safety inside or outside of my home. I am proud of what this group has accomplished and what they represent.

Finished the book!

I just finished the book and wanted to share with you all two of the most important things I got from reading this book (there are way more than two!)
1) It is good to be reminded of how hard other people's lives can be. Sometimes we forget
that others are suffering
2) It is good to be reminded how important it is to get to know someone, give them a change
and don't make assumptions
I don't want to be a spoiler so I won't mention specific characters, I'll save that for our discussion but this was a powerful book, no doubt about it.
p.s. Erin makes me feel as if I am accomplishing nothing, kind of sad!
Kathy

Freedom Writers

This was a great read, one of those books I could not put down until I finished. I found it very hopeful even as it chronicled the sad, depressing things that were happening to various members of the class. Reading about the racism in California high schools was seriously depressing; I hope that things aren't as bad now, 10 years later. Interestingly, this book was banned from a high school in Indiana and the teacher who used it in her class was suspended without pay for over a year. Thanks, Lily, for recommending this powerful book! I really enjoyed it and it made me want to re-read The Diary of Anne Frank and to find Zlata's diary to read next.

Greetings fellow bloggers/book club members. Thanks for participating. As soon as I start
reading the book I'll post my thoughts

We're Excited to start a New Chapter in the Haywood Library Book Club

We look forward to blogging about the upcoming book starting March 16!