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.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
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Summary
From: Carol Pennington
Book Title: The Moonlight School
Book Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
What do you like about this book:
Set in Rowan County Kentucky in the early 1900s, this book is based on a factual effort by Cora Wilson Stewart to overcome illiteracy. She established a program, called Moonlight Schools, to provide education in reading, writing, math, and other subjects to anyone in the county willing to learn. The schools actually meet by the light of the moon for four evenings a week for a six week period. Ms. Stewart’s efforts were recognized by President Hoover and she inspired similar schools to be established all across the United States.
This is not only a highly inspirational book, it is also a joy to read. I so enjoyed learning about the culture and lives of the mountain people in Kentucky during this time period. It also teaches some very valuable life lessons. There’s even humor, a bit of romance and even a bit of mystery included.
I highly recommend this book for everyone. It is a clean, wholesome read.