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

Shocked to discover this is a very poorly put together copy of the book that was done by Amazon. I have reported this to them and they said to return the product - which I have to go out of my way to do. Very disappointed with this and puts me off wanting to buy books from Amazon in the future.

I'd seen the Freedom Writers film first by chance, knowing nothing about it and was amazed to find out that it was based on a real person, an incredible teacher. I wanted to find out more about Erin Gruwell and the way she had inspired her class full of 14 year old gangland pupils, even though everyone else had given up on them. She let them read Anne Frank's Diary as a way of reaching them in their own 'war torn' lives and drew them out of themselves by inviting them to write about their own dramatic and threatened lives in their own diaries. Her methods and dedication to the children in her care resulted in their happiness and academic success. Her classroom became their refuge.This book is a compilation of these teenagers' diary entries and reveals (more than the film does) their lives and the traumas and difficulties they faced even getting to school every day. It shows how much they realized that they loved their teacher. It is inspiring reading.

I bought this book as I managed to catch the film on TV. Even though some of the stories are relly harrowing (its unbelievable what some children and young adults manage to live with and through!) I really enjoyed it. Had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye at times. As a teacher myself I am always a bit sceptical about these so so called 'super teachers' who 'change the world one lesson at a time' but that isn't how this lady came across at all. Felt really frustrated for her when she came up against the other teachers in her school who did not share her vision and her beliefs. As a teacher myself who always tries to do her best for her children, I totally recognise those kinds of people. A really good read!

Watched the Movie and wanted to know more about the kids and the back story. This was the 20th anniversary book that lets you know what has happened to the class mates.

The book is just great. It's absolutely must-have book on the list for people who looking deeper at literature and treat it as something what makes us better people. In the book children who were out of "cultural" society thanks to one person who truly treated them as human beings with feelings they became a well educated people after their studies.The book brings up hope for this world. Me, personally I love this book and I can recommentd it to everyone who likes this kind of books.