The Moonlight School | Book Review, Guest Post + Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 2, 2021

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MY REVIEW

Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the true-to-life experience of Cora Wilson Stewart in her latest novel, The Moonlight School.

In need of a change, Lucy Wilson heads to Kentucky to work with her cousin, superintendent of education. The experience is definitely more than she anticipated, as Cora decides to open schools for adults, tackling the problem of illiteracy on moonlit nights—but it is one that has the capacity to grow her, shape her, help her in ways she needs.

This novel combines exquisite beauty and heartbreaking reality, as the plight of rural Kentucky is explored. I enjoyed learning about Cora Wilson Stewart and her accomplishments in education, and I’m thinking that other readers that like inspirational historical stories will enjoy this book, too.

★★★★

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including On a Summer Tide, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, the Bishop’s Family, the Deacon's Family, and the Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California.

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GUEST POST FROM THE AUTHOR

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?

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card. Enter below, and be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway.

TOUR SCHEDULE

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