The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Meet Author Suzanne Woods Fisher:

"Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story." ~Amazon

Readers are invited to stop by Suzanne's website at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

"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.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A historical fiction gem. 

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher gives us a heartwarming and unforgettable story with her The Moonlight School. This standalone novel introduces us to Lucy Wilson. An avid reader, she's left to care for her younger sister one day when awaiting their father. When her two-year-old sister vanishes, Lucy is left with a lifetime of grief and guilt. Fast forward to 1911, and we find Lucy on her way to another part of Kentucky to assist her cousin Cora Wilson Stewart in letter writing and other similar work. When she arrives, she finds out that there's more to the type of letter-writing Miss Cora wants than a simple office chair and pen and paper.

Lucy is introduced to the area by Finley James and welcomed by Brother Wyatt. A cast of characters form around Lucy and change the way she thinks and understands how her little corner of the world works. She's inserted into the life of those who live in the hills and the small town of Appalachia's way of living.


From here, she finds tradition and the rules of society aren't always on the same page. Within her stay, she begins to view her life and the life her father has created a bit differently. Lucy, also, feels for those who haven't had the opportunity to learn to read and write and how this impacts their way of life.

Her cousin, Miss Cora, comes up with a way to help these people - The Moonlight School, and Lucy is excited to see her cousin's efforts come to fruition. Between getting to know the characters, watching Lucy grow and thrive, and seeing the constant friendship with Brother Wyatt evolve, readers are treated to a fictional tale based off real life events. There were several pieces of the story that made it pop and added to the telling. It was such a good read - sweet and wholesome. The author's way of shining a light on adult literacy is to be respected.

I love that Fisher gives readers a translation of the language terms used within her book as well as the brief description of its origins. Her "So ..... What Happened Next?" and "Fact or Fiction" at the end were enlightening assets to the story she just shared. I always love learning a little extra, and this was a lovely bonus.

I suppose if there's one part of the story where I would have wanted more elaboration, it would have been on the school itself. We were given the initial idea, the few meetings to put it together, and the briefest of viewings of its beginning efforts before the end. It didn't feel as if Lucy had any real part in it - to some degree, and I would have liked to see more interaction on that front.

Overall, I really enjoyed the characters, the pacing, the way of life, and Lucy's character development across the pages. It was such a beautifully written story and held an important topic of consideration. Author Suzanne Woods Fisher gives us a delightful and thought-provoking read. For these reasons, I've rated it a 5/5 "must read!" 

Thanks to the author and Revell: A Baker Publishing Group for an ARC copy to read and give an honest review. 

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author