The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell & Freedom Writers- Book Review

The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell & Freedom Writers- Book Review

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

Author: Erin Gruwell, Freedom Writers

Publisher: Broadway Books

Publish Date: September 1, 1999 (this 20th anniversary edition in 2019)

Rating: 3/5

Summary(blurb): In 1994, an idealistic first-year teacher in Long Beach. California, named Erin Gruwell confronted a room of "unteachable, at-risk" students. She had intercepted a note with an ugly racial caricature and angrily declared that this was precisely the sort of thing that led to the Holocaust. She was met by uncomprehending looks none of her students had heard of one of the defining moments of the twentieth century. So she rebooted her entire curriculum, using treasured books such as Anne Frank's diary as her guide to combat intolerance and misunderstanding: Her students began recording their thoughts and feelings in their own diaries, eventually dubbing themselves "the Freedom Writers." 

Consisting of powerful entries from the students' diaries and narrative text by Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary is an unforgettable story of how hard work, courage, and determination changed the lives of a teacher and her students. In the two decades since its original publication, the book has sold more than one million copies and inspired a major motion picture. And now, with this twentieth-anniversary edition, readers are brought up to date on the lives of the Freedom Writers, as they blend indispensable takes on social issues with uplifting stories of attending college and watch their own children follow in their footsteps. The Freedom Writers Diary remains a vital read for anyone who believes in second chances.

**This book review may contain spoilers**

In the Distance by Hernan Diaz- Book Review Pt. 2 - Character Analysis

In the Distance by Hernan Diaz- Book Review Pt. 2 - Character Analysis

Title: In the Distance

Author: Hernan Diaz

Publisher: Coffee House Press

Publish Date: 2017

Rating: 4.5/5

Summary(blurb): A young Swedish boy finds himself penniless and alone in California. He travels east in search of his brother, moving on foot against the great push to the west. Driven back over and over again on his journey through vast expanses, Håkan meets naturalists, criminals, religious fanatics, Indians, and lawmen, and his exploits turn him into a legend. Díaz defies the conventions of historical fiction and genre, offering a probing look at the stereotypes that populate our past and a portrait of radical foreignness. 

**This book review contains heavy spoilers**

In this second part of the review, I focus more on the character of Håkan Söderström, and a major change brought about in him. If you haven't read part one, you can do so here. 

If you haven't read the book, you should go read it. 

If you haven't read the book but still want to read this character dive, go read this brief summary/background I give of the book. 

In the Distance by Hernan Diaz- Book Review - Book Summary & Background

In the Distance by Hernan Diaz- Book Review Pt. 2 - Summary & Background

Title: In the Distance

Author: Hernan Diaz

Publisher: Coffee House Press

Publish Date: 2017

Rating: 5/5

Summary(blurb): A young Swedish boy finds himself penniless and alone in California. He travels east in search of his brother, moving on foot against the great push to the west. Driven back over and over again on his journey through vast expanses, Håkan meets naturalists, criminals, religious fanatics, Indians, and lawmen, and his exploits turn him into a legend. Díaz defies the conventions of historical fiction and genre, offering a probing look at the stereotypes that populate our past and a portrait of radical foreignness. 

**This book review contains heavy spoilers**

This section is for those of you who want to read my Character Analysis, but haven't read the book, and also doesn't intend to do so. If you are NOT one of these people, this post is not for you. 

Here, I will provide a brief part-by-part summary of the book, and provide some background as well. 

In The Distance by Hernan Diaz- Book Review Pt. 1

In the Distance by Hernan Diaz- Book Review Pt. 1

Title: In the Distance

Author: Hernan Diaz

Publisher: Coffee House Press

Publish Date: 2017

Rating: 5/5

Summary(blurb): A young Swedish boy finds himself penniless and alone in California. He travels east in search of his brother, moving on foot against the great push to the west. Driven back over and over again on his journey through vast expanses, Håkan meets naturalists, criminals, religious fanatics, Indians, and lawmen, and his exploits turn him into a legend. Díaz defies the conventions of historical fiction and genre, offering a probing look at the stereotypes that populate our past and a portrait of radical foreignness. 

**This book review may contain spoilers**

NOTE: I will be writing a part 2 review of this book, solely focused on the main character Håkan Söderström, because it would be too long to fit everything here. There will also be a plot summary & background for those who want to read the character analysis, but not the book itself.