Welcome to my tour stop! This was such a interesting and heartfelt story!
Read my full review and enter the tour giveaway with Celebrate Lit below...
The Mooonlight School
By Suzanne Woods Fisher
Christian Historical Fiction, Romance
Paperback & ebook, 320 Pages
February 2nd 2021 by Fleming H. Revell Company
Summary
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.
My Review
THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL is a story of illiteracy, one woman's desire to make her county literate and educate those in the mountains and those who she pulls into her quest. It's a story of a young woman who is still trying to figure out who she will be and the people she falls in love with. It's full of faith, friendship, family, hardship and love. Highly recommended to Christian historical fiction readers!
This is not one of those stories where it's a roller-coaster, high-octane ride from beginning to end. This is a story that softly pulls you in and continues to do so as you get to know the mountains and its people right along with the heroine. You slowly fall in love with them just as she does. You also slowly fall in love with her as she faces past disappointments, and as she tries to navigate her new world as well as her faith and her heart. You also fall in love with the other characters who have points-of-view, Angie and Fin. All three of them have stories to tell and futures to decide. Then you won't be able to not fall in love with Cora and Wyatt too. One is fierce and bright and the other steady and strong.
I loved these characters! Lucy was a young woman who was very lost and she found herself during this story. Her cousin Cora definitely helped by pushing and prodding her along. Wyatt was this steady presence with a good listening ear, although he gave her a lot to think about as well. Then there were the mountains and the people who lived there who had Lucy questioning her life and the world, as well as allowing her faith to grow.
The story itself was steady, interesting and very inspiring. The religious element was woven throughout the story and was a strong aspect of it, but I never felt it was forced or unrealistic. Romance was present, but it played a very minor role. The thing I found most moving was this story of those who couldn't read nor write and the movement to fix that so that they could live fuller lives. I also really enjoyed the afterward about this real historical movement. What an amazing woman Cora was and the huge impact she had on the world and to people specifically.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This is a story with delightful characters, and full of heart and inspiration. It's a story that is definitely worth the read, based on true facts of a movement to teach those in the Appalachian mountains to read. A movement that spread to neighboring counties, states and the nation. Again, highly recommended!
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher from NetGalley through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Carol award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, Suzanne is the best-selling author of more than thirty books, ranging from non-fiction books, to children’s books, to novels. She lives with her very big family in northern California.
More from Suzanne
I’m Suzanne Woods Fisher, the author of The Moonlight School. This historical fiction will release on February 2, 2021, and is based on a true story featuring Cora Wilson Stewart, a Kentucky educator way ahead of her times. In 1911, Cora had a crazy idea—to open rural one-room schoolhouses in her county on moonlit nights to teach illiterate adults how to read and write.
So what happened next? Well, it’s so astonishing that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Instead, I hope you’ll read the book and find out for yourself.
In the meantime, this infographic provides a fascinating look at illiteracy THEN…and NOW. Makes you want to thank your teachers, doesn’t it?
Tour Schedule
Inklings and notions, January 30
Batya’s Bits, January 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 30
CarpeDiem, January 31
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 31
A Novel Pursuit, January 31
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 31
The Avid Reader, February 1
Bliss Books & Jewels, February 1
lakesidelivngsite, February 1
Connie’s History Classroom, February 1
She Lives To Read, February 2
For the Love of Literature, February 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 2
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 3
Through the Fire Blogs, February 3
Texas Book-aholic, February 3
Inspiration Clothesline, February 3
Fiction Book Lover, February 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 4
Blogging With Carol, February 4
Lis Loves Reading, February 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 5
Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 5
Simple Harvest Reads, February 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
HookMeInABook, February 5
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 6
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, February 6
Artistic Nobody, February 6 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
For Him and My Family, February 7
EmpowerMoms, February 7
The Write Escape , February 7
Mary Hake, February 7
Older & Smarter?, February 8
deb’s Book Review, February 8
Splashes of Joy, February 8
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 9
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 9
Beauty in the Binding, February 9
Blossoms and Blessings, February 9
Remembrancy, February 10
Bigreadersite, February 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 10
By The Book, February 11
Wishful Endings, February 11
Vicky Sluiter, February 11
Pause for Tales, February 11
Spoken from the Heart, February 12
Hallie Reads, February 12
To Everything There Is A Season, February 12
Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 12
Tour-Wide Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Have you read any other books like this one? Are you a fan o this author or will you be reading this one?
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