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alex_nicole's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
This is such a great non-fiction read. I’m not the biggest fan of non fiction, however I had to read this for a class and it was such a unique and inspiring read to see where the students go in life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Body shaming, Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Rape, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
whatkatiemariereads's review against another edition
5.0
Such a powerful non-fiction book about how one determined teacher can change lives and perceptions.
I watched the film first for this one and then had to read the book - powerful, honest, moving and a must-read.
I watched the film first for this one and then had to read the book - powerful, honest, moving and a must-read.
glitterkitter's review against another edition
4.0
Despite having this book recommended to me, and being incredibly eager to get started reading it, it took me a fair while to get into it. The beginning didn't read very realistically at all. I understand that the beginning of the story had to be told somehow, but I find it hard to believe that these kids that supposedly hated reading and writing were even willing to write diary entries at the start, especially ones that in depth with what was going on.
Once I got past that, it was an interesting read. I prefer a more linear approach to what I read, so I was frustrated with each diary entry only telling a small snapshot of their lives, and not a more direct look at what was actually happening in the classroom.
Despite some of my issues with it, I still enjoyed it immensely by the end, and it's a book worth reading for the eye opening it will give you. It's inspiring, and makes you think about some things you wouldn't usually consider. Because you think these kids live in a 'free country' you don't consider that their living conditions growing up could be compared so easily to living in warzone. I knew there were kids disadvantaged in the bad parts of America, but just not that much.
Once I got past that, it was an interesting read. I prefer a more linear approach to what I read, so I was frustrated with each diary entry only telling a small snapshot of their lives, and not a more direct look at what was actually happening in the classroom.
Despite some of my issues with it, I still enjoyed it immensely by the end, and it's a book worth reading for the eye opening it will give you. It's inspiring, and makes you think about some things you wouldn't usually consider. Because you think these kids live in a 'free country' you don't consider that their living conditions growing up could be compared so easily to living in warzone. I knew there were kids disadvantaged in the bad parts of America, but just not that much.
kay_k30's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Ot offered a lot of insight and perspective. It opened my eyes and impacted the way I view certain things; Brought me to tears and made an impact for sure. Great read!
kaylareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
When I was in camp one summer they showed us The Freedom Writers movie, and It was one of my favorite movies I had seen. When I started teaching I wanted to read more books about different people’s experiences as a teacher and this was the first book I picked up.
This book was AMAZING. It made me cry. I wanted to hug everyone in this story.
These young men and women are fierce and strong, they have seen the worst of the worst and their teacher is one of the first people who believes in them. I was so nervous that this was going to be a “white teacher saves children book” but the author acknowledged right away her privilege and made it very clear that the only person who could save these teens were themselves. She believed in them in a way they hadn’t experienced before and she pushed them to be the best that they could be.
As an educator, I found this book to be so important. Your students will most likely not disclose to you what is going on at home for them. But we as educators need to be able to create a space where they can let out their emotions and understand that they are not alone.
The book takes place during the Rodney King riots in L.A., when the racial tensions were high and high schoolers had more important things on their minds than what was going on in the classroom.
The students in this book talk about heavy topics and I would like to put a trigger warning for abuse, rape, drugs, alcohol, abortion (this all I can remember right now but I know there is more and I will add it.) This isn’t an easy book to digest, I had to put it down because sometimes it was too much for me to read in one sitting. I’m lucky I could step away from these situations, the students in these books couldn’t walk away from their situations so easily.
This book taught me that pushing and never giving up on a student is one of the most important things I can do as an educator.
I recently watched the documentary with the actual freedom writers and getting to hear them talk about where they are now, and being able to see how they are paving the way for others like them was amazing.
Students in school will act out, and sometimes for students school is the only safe place. As educators, we need to understand that sometimes all our students need from us is love and not to judge them. The material we teach matters, but so does giving them a safe haven away from the craziness that might be going on at home.
This book is one of my favorite books on education and I highly recommend this to everyone!
This book was AMAZING. It made me cry. I wanted to hug everyone in this story.
These young men and women are fierce and strong, they have seen the worst of the worst and their teacher is one of the first people who believes in them. I was so nervous that this was going to be a “white teacher saves children book” but the author acknowledged right away her privilege and made it very clear that the only person who could save these teens were themselves. She believed in them in a way they hadn’t experienced before and she pushed them to be the best that they could be.
As an educator, I found this book to be so important. Your students will most likely not disclose to you what is going on at home for them. But we as educators need to be able to create a space where they can let out their emotions and understand that they are not alone.
The book takes place during the Rodney King riots in L.A., when the racial tensions were high and high schoolers had more important things on their minds than what was going on in the classroom.
The students in this book talk about heavy topics and I would like to put a trigger warning for abuse, rape, drugs, alcohol, abortion (this all I can remember right now but I know there is more and I will add it.) This isn’t an easy book to digest, I had to put it down because sometimes it was too much for me to read in one sitting. I’m lucky I could step away from these situations, the students in these books couldn’t walk away from their situations so easily.
This book taught me that pushing and never giving up on a student is one of the most important things I can do as an educator.
I recently watched the documentary with the actual freedom writers and getting to hear them talk about where they are now, and being able to see how they are paving the way for others like them was amazing.
Students in school will act out, and sometimes for students school is the only safe place. As educators, we need to understand that sometimes all our students need from us is love and not to judge them. The material we teach matters, but so does giving them a safe haven away from the craziness that might be going on at home.
This book is one of my favorite books on education and I highly recommend this to everyone!
eikenlady's review against another edition
5.0
I will admit that I picked up this book because I saw and loved the movie but I will also admit that this book didn't disappoint.
This book allows you to see what these kids see, their struggles, their triumphs, their failures, and everything in between. It's also amazing to see how this group of underdogs surpasses not only other people's expectations, but even their own. And that isn't just the kids but also Erin Gruwell.
I loved reading about how these kids gained more confidence in themselves and their experiences in the classroom from their perspective. Their meetings with Zlata, their trip to D.C, their trip to New York, and even their excitement about being able to say they were the first in their family to graduate high school let alone go on to college too.
This is an amazing example of how students can truly soar when they are being taught by an educator that relates to them, cares about them, and inspires them. When they were able to see how the characters in these books were just like them, it made the lessons that much easier to grasp and build upon.
If you are an educator (and even if you're not), pick up this book. Use Erin's example as a way for you to inspire your own classroom. Even if everyone else thinks they're a "bunch of misfits."
5 Stars.
This book allows you to see what these kids see, their struggles, their triumphs, their failures, and everything in between. It's also amazing to see how this group of underdogs surpasses not only other people's expectations, but even their own. And that isn't just the kids but also Erin Gruwell.
I loved reading about how these kids gained more confidence in themselves and their experiences in the classroom from their perspective. Their meetings with Zlata, their trip to D.C, their trip to New York, and even their excitement about being able to say they were the first in their family to graduate high school let alone go on to college too.
This is an amazing example of how students can truly soar when they are being taught by an educator that relates to them, cares about them, and inspires them. When they were able to see how the characters in these books were just like them, it made the lessons that much easier to grasp and build upon.
If you are an educator (and even if you're not), pick up this book. Use Erin's example as a way for you to inspire your own classroom. Even if everyone else thinks they're a "bunch of misfits."
5 Stars.