Rating: 
Summary: Every teacher needs to read this book!
Review: I first heard about this book through "Oprah," knew I had to read it! I teach elementary students with learning problems. I try to teach reading and writing as a personal process, not as dissected skills.This teacher works through similar modes and more. She creates experiences that I'm green about. She has reminded me that the impossible is only limited by the defining of something as impossible. This book has many lessons on motivation. It should be part of every teacher's library!
Rating:
Summary: amazing and inspirational
Review: I have been involved with the Freedom Writers almost from the beginning as a volunteer at Long Beach Wilson High School. What I have seen, lived through, never ceases to amaze me of what Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers have accomplished. The book very graphically and realistically portrays life in the intercity. Through the love and guidence of the "Stand and Deliver" Erin Gruwell these kids have not only written this amazing book but all are in college.
Rating:
Summary: Freedom Writers and Long Beach
Review: I knew of this book long before it was published and knew it would be a huge hit. Not just because of it's powerful content, but also from knowing Erin as a teacher.(We worked in the same school) This book should be a "must read" in schools. We in Long Beach are reading it "as one" through the library system. Buy this book. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: When is the movie coming out?
Review: i picked up this book friday night, and i couldn't stop, i stayed up all night reading it! i can't believe that there are still people out there who believe in kids this strongly. erin gruwell is an amazing inspiration to us all. and those kids are beyond words. america is quick to judge kids on columbine and the likes, but these are the kids we should be looking at. thank you for being an inspiration.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read this book!
Review: I read this book after seeing Erin Gruwell and some of her students CSPAN2 (BookTV). I was really looking forward to it, after hearing what Erin Gruwell and the youth had to say. The book far exceeded any expectations I had. The students writing is moving and tells of the adversity they face everyday. It is amazing the one teacher was able to tap into all of this and help the students turn so much misfortune into something positive and productive. It is amazing to read this book and see how the students change and grow throughout their writing. This book inspired me to read other books that the students covered in class like, Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo and, The Diary of Anne Frank. Truly an amazing book that anyone will benefit from reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Feelings over form and content
Review: I read this book as an exercise in gauging the writing ability and intelligence of what is being held up as a group of "outstanding" young writers. Well, the verdict is in, and it's a dismal one: politically-correct claptrap with little, if any, respect for form, theme, or style sums up the content of this book. Note also the other reviews in this forum: the misspelled words, incorrect grammar, and general lack of coherency, even when trying to be laudatory, contained within them. Ah, but I'm sure as many who endorse this garbage would say, "The kids are getting their FEELINGS out! What does reason, logic, and the discipline needed for skill have to do with it?" After reading this book, and the reviews of it, you will know the answer to this question: Not much.
Rating:
Summary: The most inspirational piece of literature!!!!!!
Review: I recieved this book as a gift. One of the BEST gifts ever!!! It touches you deep, putting everyday life back into prospective. It is very real and uplifting. It's a book for every age, race, religion, gender,finacial status, ect. The message it relays is one that EVERY human being can relate to. I can not wait until my children are old enough to read this book for I feel it now is my Bible for socialization. I came to this site today to order one for each member of my family. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for teachers and students.
Review: I think this book is a terrific resource for kids and teachers for several reasons. On a personal level, it is very inspiring. It would be hard to find a student that had worse experiences than those depicted in the diary entries. Thus, it could help a student going through tough times. Things are so much easier when we find we are not the only ones experiencing life in a particularly bad way. It would be important to include many of the readings that the class did, so that a student could have an additional basis for identity with the Freedom Writers and the authors that they read. As someone working towards a credential, I see Ms. Gruwell's example as an inspiration for my own efforts. Could I help young people to be so changed in a positive way? I sure hope so.
In a broader sense, this book shows how a very diverse group of individuals can come together to identify and accomplish common goals. By doing so they became a team, a support group and a community. Some questions for my students, would be, "How could you explain the transformation of the group over the four years they were together?" "What specifically changed?", "How do you think Ms. Gruwell helped the kids?", and "How do you think the kids helped each other?" Ultimately, this book shows how powerfully the human condition can change through the study of the concept of tolerance.
I enjoyed this book so much that I recommended that it be added to my student teacher diversity course as a required text. While it is important to study the issues of diversity and tolerance from an academic point of view, something our assigned texts seem to do well, there is an important element of reality that could be captured and presented to prospective teachers by reading this book. The example of success at such an organic, "on the street" level would be extremely valuable in that it would help to ground our studies of the broader concepts and issues. To have such a real life focus would give greater meaning and importance to our studies. By reading this book, I have a much deeper and broader understanding of the value of multicultural tolerance in the context of teaching. I am seeing the world in a completely different way than three days ago. Now I have to figure out how to do it in a Science curriculum!
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for teachers and students.
Review: I think this book is a terrific resource for kids and teachers for several reasons. On a personal level, it is very inspiring. It would be hard to find a student that had worse experiences than those depicted in the diary entries. Thus, it could help a student going through tough times. Things are so much easier when we find we are not the only ones experiencing life in a particularly bad way. It would be important to include many of the readings that the class did, so that a student could have an additional basis for identity with the Freedom Writers and the authors that they read. As someone working towards a credential, I see Ms. Gruwell's example as an inspiration for my own efforts. Could I help young people to be so changed in a positive way? I sure hope so.
In a broader sense, this book shows how a very diverse group of individuals can come together to identify and accomplish common goals. By doing so they became a team, a support group and a community. Some questions for my students, would be, "How could you explain the transformation of the group over the four years they were together?" "What specifically changed?", "How do you think Ms. Gruwell helped the kids?", and "How do you think the kids helped each other?" Ultimately, this book shows how powerfully the human condition can change through the study of the concept of tolerance.
I enjoyed this book so much that I recommended that it be added to my student teacher diversity course as a required text. While it is important to study the issues of diversity and tolerance from an academic point of view, something our assigned texts seem to do well, there is an important element of reality that could be captured and presented to prospective teachers by reading this book. The example of success at such an organic, "on the street" level would be extremely valuable in that it would help to ground our studies of the broader concepts and issues. To have such a real life focus would give greater meaning and importance to our studies. By reading this book, I have a much deeper and broader understanding of the value of multicultural tolerance in the context of teaching. I am seeing the world in a completely different way than three days ago. Now I have to figure out how to do it in a Science curriculum!
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I was deeply touched by this book. I was amazed to see what exactly a determined 23 year old teacher can accomplish. Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers are true hero's. Their stories will shock and inspire you. It will make you ask, "Does this type of stuff really happen in a place like Long Beach." Its sad, but very true, that these kids are the victims of the war in America. The war of violence and destruction that is becoming increasingly apparent all over the United States, yet this book gives us hope. It is truly touching how these kids, with the encouragement from a teacher could turn their lives around. This book should serve as an inspiration for every individual. The fact that one strong and courageous teacher could inspire 150 students to go onto college should prove what each and everyone of us can do if we are willing to help. This book is what life is all about: Courage, commitment, strength, acceptance, love, hope, faith and the willingness to help. Buy this book.
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