It's hard to know exactly how to describe the Freedom Writers' Diary. I first saw the excellent film (Freedom Writers) starring Hilary Swank, which told the story of a new high school teacher who was giving a failing class and went on to inspire them to achieve great things by keeping diaries. That description doesn't do justice to the stories of deprivation, addiction, hopelessness and, ultimately triumph which make the film - and the book so successful.
The book covers four years of high school, with anonymous diary entries from the students who became known as the Freedom Writers. Each year starts with a diary entry from the teacher, Mrs Gruwell. You won't be able to read this book without being moved by the circumstances which these kids had to triumph over - and the kindness of the people who helped them move from no-hopers to people with a bright future and, in many cases, college scholarships.
Whether you like stories about education, writing or triumphing against the odds, this book will appeal.
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