The Moonlight School

GIVEAWAY

FISHER, SUZANNE WOODS

THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL

Haunted by personal tragedy, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to assist her cousin, Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of schools. A fish out of water, Lucy is appalled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters.

Born in those very hills, Cora knows the twin plagues of illiteracy and poverty. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing school master 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, along with something else she hadn't expected: love.

Inspired by true events, this novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously.

My Review:

I am enthralled by this book. Enchanted. Mildly obsessed. I've even researched Cora Wilson Stewart and Moonlight Schools in the midst of reading this novel. Because...well, I don't even know where to begin. This is the kind of story my compulsive reader's heart craves -- where fact and fiction collide to pay homage to literacy and the power of the written word...with romance! :-)

The Moonlight School is multi-layered in both plot and characterization. And don't get me started talking Wyatt or I'll be consumed by a time-warp swoonfest as I relive every delicious second of all things singing school masterish. There's this one scene that perfectly highlights the measure of the man that I still think about -- and read multiple times over. I'm that gobsmacked speechless.

The Appalachian setting is starkly beautiful -- a celebration of a culture and a faith that is as simple as it is complex and Fisher does an amazing job of bringing it to life. 

And be sure to read the author's notes at the end because there's a treasure trove of interesting facts in them. In fact, if you're the kind of reader who likes to dig behind the scenes of a favourite novel, you might be interested in checking out this amazing interview with Suzanne Woods Fisher on the Because Fiction Podcast. You'll get the background scoop on all things Moonlight School as well as some incredibly eye-opening literacy stats. Here's the link:

https://becausefictionpodcast.com/episode-49-a-chat-with-suzanne-woods-fisher

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graph-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Moonlight School, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday March 13  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!