Saturday, January 30, 2021

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book: The Moonlight School

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 2, 2021

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.

Click here to get your copy!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my favorite Authors. I also enjoy

Historical Fiction. I was drawn to read this book because of

the absolutely beautiful cover and because it is a Historical

Fiction book by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I will say right away,

I am VERY glad I read it.

Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher takes us back

to the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky in the year 1911.

Lucy Wilson is beginning a new job working for Cora Wilson

Stewart, who is the Superintendent of Education. Cora assigns

Lucy to work as a Scribe in the Hills of Rowan County. Lucy

quickly discovers how impoverished the people of the Hills are

and the fact that many cannot read or write. Cora's brother Wyatt,

who is also involved in Education traveling the hills as Songmaster.

Cora decides to enlist the help of Lucy and Wyatt and open

"Night Schools" to help the Adults learn to read and write.

Lucy is excited about the plan and agrees. Lucy discovers

how much she loves helping others, especially teaching them

to read and write. What else will happen with Lucy? Could there

be a LOVE match for her??

WOW, just WOW! AMAZING story. I discovered the book

is based on a True story, based on Moonlight Schools that

were created around this time. The book is part fact and part

Historical Fiction. Moonlight Schools is what helped bring

to the forefront that Adult Illiteracy is a real thing. From

that point on, it has become a subject that is no longer

"taboo". I truly enjoyed this book as being an AVID reader

since I was around 6, I know it is important for everyone to

read and write. The Historical part of the book was also very

good to read about that time! GREAT BOOK!

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?