I saw the movie preview for The Freedom Writers Diary when it came out years ago. It seemed interesting, but I knew my family wouldn’t want to see it. The title also threw me, because I connected it with the Freedom Riders of the 1960s.

This summer the Bangor Public Library started a program for teens of reviewing a book and a movie together. My kids liked the idea, but found it difficult to do many in a 6 week period. I found The Freedom Writers Diary on a shelf for this program. I hadn’t known there was a book or that it was nonfiction. I grabbed it for myself-and the mind-blowing process began.

Review of Book

I read the book before the movie-as is proper-so I don’t know how much it affects the fact that I like the book better. There is the freshness factor. Also the book goes more in depth into several of the students’ stories, despite the fact that the diaries are written anonymously. Incredible as it may seem, there is much more in the book. Even so, the movie compares favorably with the book.

One of the things handled effectively in the movie is the administrators of the school. Erin Gruwell did run into resistance from other teachers and school administration, but there was less focus on it in the book, despite needing to fund her teaching with another job and ask for help from private contributors. There was less focus, because it isn’t what is most important. For the movie, it worked well and was clarifying.

I was afraid the movie would seem phony or minimize the greatness of what really happened. However, the actors’ performances were real and soulful. It was said a few times in the extras on the DVD that the lives of the actors cast parallel their characters. It seemed to me that they became the characters. Some of them were obviously moved by the story and their participation in the film.

I am glad a movie was made, since more people will be reached. I believe the movie is inspiring also, though I think the book makes a bigger impact.

September’s selection is a tremendous book. It is a book that I hope will be read way into the future-a classic in the making. There are few books  that are this exciting to me. It involves 3 of my favorite topics: literature, education, and social change. The ideas within The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell have the power to revolutionize education and the topic of racism. The ideas are not new; the techniques have been used for more privileged students. But it is a rare occurrence for a teacher and class to come together so effectively-not just with their minds engaged, but their souls as well.

For those of you that don’t find literature, education or social change exciting topics. Check it out anyway. It’s not some dry document. It’s excerpts of peoples’ lives. It’s youth overcoming prejudice (directed at each other as well as from other people) and a lack of education in the process of transforming their lives.

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Current Selection and List of Previous

The publishing date for Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce has been updated from Spring 2009 to April 2009. It looks like it really is going to be published. LOL. Can hardly wait.  But not desperate since I started reading The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, and that will take me until then to finish (if then!).

Redwall_hp has a new fansite for fantasy readers, Fantasy Folder. His plan is to have reviews, news (including publishing dates and related movies) and forum discussion for serious fans. He also welcomes guest submissions. So far I’ve written a couple reviews for him (The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan and Soul Music by Terry Pratchett-to be posted within the next 2 weeks). Hope to see others at his new forums.

Author of Newbery Honor book Hope Was Here writes another successful social and political story. The truth is missing from the town’s newspaper, and 16-year-old Hildy and her classmates work overtime to fill the void.

REVIEW

Neil Gaiman is a crossover author. He writes fantasy for adult and young adult and graphic novels. My interest was piqued by positive reviews. I decided to select American Gods for this month after reading a teacher’s discussion of using the book in her high school class. I would only recommend for YA if the students are mature, but the story is enjoyable and has depth.

REVIEW

This month’s selection was just released-July 2008. Madam President by Lane Smith has eye-catching design and illustration that says-it-all, as we’ve come to expect from Smith.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

In this personal narrative of China’s Cultural Revolution  (1960s to 1970s), Moying Li describes familial and social events during her coming of age years. She provides a family history before going on to chronicle turmoil during this time, changes of behavior of those around her, and responses that helped her and others to survive and grow.

Moying Li was twelve at the start of the Cultural Revolution. She attended a prestigious international language school. Everything changed, however, when student Red Guards denounced her teachers, administrators and other students. Public humiliations and arrests became the norm.

REVIEW

I found this book to be an excellent critique of free trade dogma. The author uses history (the development of countries now rich and crises of those practicing neo-liberal economics) to refute the all too common harangue that free trade is the only way to succeed in the global market.

This month’s selection is actually two books of a trilogy of which the author has plans to extend with two more books. I believe Lirael and Abhorsen (from The Old Kingdom Books by Garth Nix) should have been written as one book. Lirael (the 2nd book of the series) has no resolution, and Abhorsen picks up where Lirael leaves off.

Review of Series

Current Selection and List of Previous