Search - The Freedom Writers Diary : How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them

Very good! I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie, but as "timing" would have it, I ended up in the theatre befre I started the book. I really enjoyed both. They were different. BUT, I definitely would have enjoyed both much more if I had "read" then "saw." I recommend you skip the movie until you read the book.

I loved this book. I am in school to become a teacher and i loved reading the entries and how the students changed over time. This book has been recommended in several of my college courses.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it before the movie came out. I've seen the movie and this book is a more in depth look at the students' diaries. Very eye opening!

This was such a great book. I really really loved it. I haven't seen the movie yet and i think the book will no doubt be better. Well worth the time i spent and i would read it again. I think this woman was placed by God right where she was needed the most & WOW what a teacher she is!!!

i enjoyed this book. it gave me some great insight and a lot of food for thought hearing from so many young folks wanting to change the world. it inspired me to think about what would happen if every teacher could treat their classroom full of kids the way that this teacher did. i want an update on where the freedom writers are now!

Erin Gruwell was a first-year high school teacher. She was teaching tough kids in Long Beach, CA. Her students are the lowest at the school so she begins with diaries written by others to have them create diaries of their own. She was able to stay with these students for all four years of high school. The she decided to teach college to new teachers.

I teach. I teach well. An yet I find myself discouraged when I read books like this. Not because of the state of education or students in America. I find it depressing that to be lifted up as a good teacher you must sacrifice everything else in your life. She gives up virtually all her free time, her marriage and sometimes even her reputation. This is why she was only a teacher for 4 years.

As a friend put it: "What the the educational system in America needs are distance runners not flashy sprinters." If you are a new teacher, please don't read this book. Find a mentor who has been teaching for 10 years. It will be far more practical and helpful for you.

The best review I have seen: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/19/opinion/19moore.html?ex=1169960400&en=03ab43adeddfe1ed&ei=5070