The Moonlight School is yet another fabulous read written by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It may be my new favorite I have read by her to date. It is so very good. I found it interesting that it was based on a true story. It was intriguing and captivating to get a glimpse of how my great grandparents might have lived in the mountains of Virginia. I thought Miss Fisher did a wonderful job with the historical details that made feel as though I was transported back in time. I loved and adored the character of Lucy. It was interesting seeing how she would grow throughout the book.

The Moonlight School will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction. Especially, historical fiction based on true events.

I received The Moonlight School from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

I always look forward to a book release by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It always has to be in my must read list. The Moonlight School was a great story.

It made me think of when I just started out as a Social Worker in 1984. I was young and eager to change the world. One lesson I learned that was so valuable to me as I worked as a juvenile probation officer was that their normal and values might be different than yours. It doesn't mean they are wrong. You can't work with a family and expect them to think like you or act like you. You need to tread lightly and be aware of your value system so that you don't impose on them.

This lesson served me well in the 28 years I worked in the inner city of Detroit. Lucy Wilson learned this after arriving in Rowan County, Kentucky. She was in a world so different than what she grew up in. At first, she found it difficult but with time her eyes and heart were changed forever.



I loved being on her journey and meeting the residents of this community. I know you will, too.



I received this for free from Celebrate Lit to review.

The Moonlight School, by Suzanne Woods Fisher, is a truly wonderful book. Rich in story, thoughtful, and uplifting, this remarkable novel overflows with warmth and heart. Page after page, Ms. Fisher gives life to a story that is uniquely memorable.  

The Moonlight School is a novel that offers a touching story of loss, purpose, faith, tradition, love, and family. Rustic cabins, steep trails, rippling creeks, and wooded hillsides enable the story to develop naturally within the landscape of its rural Kentucky home. Pulsing with a life of its own, this mountainous setting buzzes with vivid significance in a story that is altogether special.

Throughout this book, Ms. Fisher has crafted characters who are genuinely endearing, surprising, authentic, and steadfast. Their beliefs, their needs, and their goals are wholly believable and inspiring. The circumstances, the uncertainties, the choices, and the struggles that the characters face are well-developed, and from them there unfolds a story that is both enriching and entertaining. 

The Moonlight School is a novel that successfully balances hope and hurt, faithfulness and suspicion, perseverance and hesitation, and purpose and expectation. As these themes develop throughout the story they are supported by relevant moments of insight, grace, and compassion.

The Moonlight School is a special novel and a true pleasure to read. Abounding with history, sentiment, and inspiration, it is very engaging and thought-provoking. I recommend it wholeheartedly to all readers.

*I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher and CelebrateLit. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

I was really moved by this story about Cora Wilson Stewart and her dream of bridging the gap between illiteracy and literacy. The main characters of the book are fictional, but they assist Cora in starting the Moonlight School for teaching the adults scattered through the mountains of Kentucky how to read. I particularly loved the growth of the main character, Lucy, and her relationship with Brother Wyatt as he helped her to rely on her faith in God. Such a beautiful story.

I’m choked up and cheering inside as I read the last pages of this novel. It reminds me of how I felt when I finished watching an old movie Rudy. I am blown away by this author and her ability to write well in so many genres (Amish, Contemporary, Historical). She is a master storyteller.

I loved learning about Cora Wilson Stewart as she plans to set up a system that would allow the people in her hometown, in Rowan County, Kentucky to learn how to read. I adored Lucy (Cora’s cousin) and how the author has us get to know Cora’s people and experience the passion for this project through her eyes.

Lucy and her father agreed she'd go help her cousin Cora out for a few weeks. She had no idea what she signed herself up for. This situation has many unexpected obstacles to overcome. First thing she must learn how to ride a horse and then visit people in their homes. Lucy had never been this close to a horse and to the people she was an outsider in more ways than one. I loved how the author allowed readers to meet the towns people and learn why most of them were illiterate. It was insightful to experience their trials and triumphs firsthand with Lucy.

I liked the thoughtful and caring way Cora went about implementing her plan. Being mindful to treat them with respect and show them the ways in which their lives would change for the better if only they would accept the help in learning how to read and write. This has a huge impact on Lucy.

I was hooked at the start of this story and how the main characters blooms and grow throughout as they catch the vision and passion of Cora Stewart project. Lucy grasps the realization she is taken her education for granted, and she is about to embark on a historical event, changing this community forever.

This author masterfully blends fact and fiction with relatable characters I could stand up and cheer for. In author explains all this in a note to readers. Cora Stewart (superintendent) knew that learning to read was a game changer.

This is a brilliant, inspiring, thought- provoking novel that champions education for all. The author includes nine questions to help to create a lively discussion time for your book club. This is a wonderful historical adventure I will not soon forget. It’s a must-read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

This was well done! The story of Cora Wilson Stewart who saw the value of education was the superintendent of Rowan County Schools. She was the first elected female superintendent in Eastern Kentucky. Her mission to educate the poor in the mountains that have been taken advantage of by lumber companies. With small schools scattered in the mountains, she is determined that the next generation will do better by education. With the help of her niece and several other unforgettable characters, she takes a leap of faith that the adults can learn to read as well. With the truth from history of Cora Wilson Stewart and add a fictitious niece Lucy and assortment of colorful characters of the people they are serving, the past with the passion comes alive in this noble undertaking. Can and will the adults want to learn to read. Will they see the value of an education for themselves and their children.

Lucy is on mission, a calling, a new start with her Aunt Cora. With the disappearance of her younger sister and her father's heartbreak, she has put a load on her own heart. She has cease to live. Now that her father is remarrying, she is looking to find a new start with her Aunt Cora. Upon Lucy's arrival, Cora test her niece's resolve and confidence. She gives her the opportunity to serve others less fortunate than her while opening her eyes to what the possibilities are with education. Lucy starts writing and reading for the mountain people and she comes to find the foundation of their faith. The characters are teachable, likeable and relatable. The faith lessons of not giving up is what true wealth really is. Lucy learns about how God answers prayers with the loss of her sister and what there is to gain in being faithful to putting others first.

Many emotions with Lucy and Cora's story. It is funny, heartbreaking and redemptive. Everything I like and then some!

A special thank you to Revell and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

There aren’t enough words to give adequate praise to this book. It was everything I would expect from this author, and even more.
The story was rich with imagery of the Appalachian mountains and the culture of its people in the early twentieth century. D
The characters each had depth of character and unique personality, and I was invested in the outcome of their story.
Lucy is a city girl afraid to live her life after the disappearance of her sister years before. Sent to the mountains to work she doesn’t fit in, but is inexplicably drawn to the people in the hollers.
Soon two men, one of power and charm, another of faith and quiet strength capture her interest for different reasons.
Fin and Angie’s unacknowledged crush and subsequent clash of wills was endearing and Cora was a force to be reckoned with, an anchor for the story.
Ultimately this is a can’t miss book full of love, community, and faith. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley and this is my honest assessment of the book.

1911 - Kentucky.
Lucy was sent to her favorite cousin, Cora Wilson Stewart, to work as stenographer, for only six short months.
She left home by train to Morehead, a mountain illeterate village.
Here meets extravagant people, hard working.
"Boy, farm with your hand on the plow, your eyes on the furrow, and your mind on the Lord."
Finally Lucy discovers a purpose in her life..
Nice story, well written, haunting, I'm sure I'll miss Cora and Lucy, such a wonderful characters!

Very enjoyable book by Suzanne Woods Fisher. "The Moonlight School" was an interesting mix of real history, fiction and some romance. When Lucy Wilson comes to help her aunt as a stenographer, she gets the opportunity to discover a life beyond her tragic past. Although she is only staying for six months, it is very eye opening. She meets many interesting characters in the area and has many new life experiences. She also meets two very different men, a singing teacher and an employee of her father.

I enjoy reading books that include real history mixed with fictional characters. I didn't know about Cora Wilson Stewart and how she led the way to overcoming adult illiteracy when she started the moonlight schools in Rowan County Kentucky.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

I love that The Moonlight School focused on real life events. The people in the hills could not have asked for a better champion than Cora, who longed to stomp illiteracy from the land.
Lucy and Wyatt added to the story, and I enjoyed seeing Lucy's world views come to grips with the reality of life in the mountains. Her lack of skill in all things rustic brought levity and helped keep Lucy grounded while also allowing the reader to see deeper into her character. She never gave up, even though she had zero faith in herself.
A true story of faith and determination.
I received a copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

With all the reading I do, I can’t believe I have never heard of Cora Wilson Stewart. The author does a great job of mixing fiction with facts in this story that has become dear to my heart. I started reading as a young child and would stay up past my bedtime to finish a book. It opened up places I could travel to without leaving my house. This story is one I think everyone should read. Why, you ask? Simply because they need to know how special it is to know how to read and be introduced to a woman who helped those who couldn’t.

I loved Cora and her big heart for wanting everyone to read and write. I can’t imagine what it would be like to not be able to do those things. We take things for granted in our lives and this story reminds me to be thankful at all times. The people in the mountains were secluded from everything and they lived a hard life. Cora never complained about helping them write letters or read to them.

Lucy was a young woman who comes to help Cora out. I can see her eyes get big as she traveled to the backwoods where people were happy and content with their lives. To Lucy she knew she was privileged but never thought of herself better than others. I liked how she pitched in and soon discovered she was needed there to help those who couldn’t read. I did like the part in the story about Lucy’s sister that had been missing for years. It was an interesting part of the book and gave us a glimpse of what someone might do when tragedy strikes their own life. I won’t say more about this because I don’t want to give anything away.

The book illustrates what it was like during the early 1910s. People in the mountains never came to town and kept to themselves. They helped each other out but never meddled in each other’s personal business. It is possible that some were superstitious and were fearful that something would happen if they didn’t listen to those that believed. I loved learning more about this time period and thought the author did a great job in making the story come to life. I liked the faith element and especially learning about the mountain music. The people were not ashamed to worship and loved spending time in His presence.

I am so glad this story was written so others can know the importance of literacy. Cora had a dream to give every person the chance to learn how to read . She worked long hours but it was worth it when she heard someone read for the first time. The school was a brilliant idea and with faith Cora saw it come to pass. A true hero who has been overlooked for years. Hopefully this book will bring to the forefront about a woman who followed the call on her life.

“ Happy are those whose purpose has found them.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

The Moonlight School is my favorite of all the Suzanne Woods Fisher books that I have read. Since reading Catherine Marshall's Christy, I have loved books set in Appalachia, especially those from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Having now lived in Kentucky for over forty years, that love has grown. The Moonlight School is set in Rowan County, Kentucky in 1911, and while telling the fictional story of Lucy Wilson, it also tells a somewhat fictionalized account of the true person of Cora Wilson Stewart, the first female superintendent of schools for Rowan County. Stewart worked tirelessly to improve the education of the mountain children, but may best be known for her work in adult literacy. If you read this book, and I hope you do, don't miss all of the end matter that is much like Paul Harvey's The Rest of the Story.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Moonlight School from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I so enjoy a book based on historical events, and I was unaware of this moment in history until recently. The premise behind this standalone novel was based on starting schools for illiterate adults that were held after the busyness of each day was complete. Cora Wilson Stewart was on a mission to teach all the adults in Rowan County to read – if she could convince the teachers in her district to do it for free.

Set alongside the history of The Moonlight School was Lucy’s story. While this section was fictionalized, I imagine Cora needed to recruit more than one individual to bring her illiteracy plan to fruition. Lucy joined her in Rowan County initially to work as a stenographer, and she assumed that she would be helping Cora in her office. Cora’s plans were to send Lucy into the hills and hollers to transcribe letters for the illiterate adults. Lucy was in for more than one surprise as she saw firsthand how poor these people were, yet rich in community.

What I appreciated most about this story is that I have been so fortunate all my life to know how to read and to have a genuine love of books. So many do not have the same opportunity for a host of reasons. Even in my own city, there are so many students who go from one grade to the next without having the reading comprehension they need to succeed as they get older. It is a sad, overlooked issue. I applaud this author for pulling the curtain back on illiteracy in The Moonlight School in a tasteful and helpful way.

4 Stars

"We're all human beings and have thoughts and dreams like everybody else. You'll find that we're all alike in the end."

I really enjoy Suzanne Woods Fisher's historical fiction and this newest release takes us to 1911 eastern Kentucky where one-third of the county is illiterate or semi-illiterate. Learning about the life in the Appalachian Mountains during this time period was fascinating - the poverty, tenacity, loyalty, and sincerity of the people created a unique and special subculture in those mountains that I am not familiar with. I loved the music and the rock solid faith of the people in Rowan County, especially Brother Wyatt's. Based on the true story of Cora Wilson Stewart who fought to bring literacy to young and old alike, this book will appeal to historical fiction fans and to anyone passionate about literacy.

Though the book is based on a true historical figure, the main characters in the book - Lucy and Wyatt - are fictional. Lucy is Cora's city born and bred cousin who is timid and without a purpose. When she comes out to the rural county, Lucy must overcome her prejudice against the poor and uneducated and must also decide what is important and how she should stand up for it. She's thrust into many uncomfortable and distressing situations where she learns to let go of her fears and past insecurities, and to rise up to find her calling, passion, and dream. Wyatt, though he doesn't actually have a voice in the story, is a steady, loyal, wise man of faith and music who makes for a lovely hero. The teenagers Fin and Angie are hysterical and bring plenty of teenage angst and drama, which adds levity to the plot. The illiteracy rate and the poverty rampant in that area are heart-breaking but the people's desire to work to rise above is extremely encouraging and full of hope.

I received the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

Alert Everyone! You have to read this amazing story written by Suzanne Woods Fisher called The Moonlight School. The author’s seamless prose flowed effortlessly between fact and fiction engaging me in a delightful heartfelt story of kindred, empathy, kindness, and faith which kept me turning the pages.

This historical fiction book is based on Cora Wilson Stewart, the actual first superintendent of schools, who founded the Moonlight School to help eliminate adult illiteracy deep in Appalachia, Rowan County, Kentucky. It was Cora’s tenacity and sheer determination, along with dedicated teachers, who taught without pay, and adults hungry to learn that made the dream a success in nearly eliminating adult illiteracy in the county.

All of the heart gripping characters young and old will captivate you as you witness their awe-inspiring journeys learning to read and write. Did I have favorites? Yes, right from the beginning I fell in love with young Finley James, smart as a whip, who fought schooling with every fiber of his being, and Mollie McGlothin, an elderly woman, who spellbound my heart throughout the story.

The Moonlight School is an inspiring story for young and old alike. Highly recommend, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley.

The Moonlight School
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell
You Like Them
Christian | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction
Pub Date 02 Feb 2021 | Archive Date 12 Mar 2021

One of my favorite books written by Suzanne Woods Fisher! Christian/Historical Fiction at its best! This the story of how adult literacy was first taken seriously. I loved this book and will recommend it to our readers.
Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the ARC.

5 star

Lucy has never been the same since her negligence led to her sister being lost - and never recovered. Then her cousin Cora arranges for her to come and work as her secretary for six months. Little does Lucy know that this will have her riding a pony through mountain and valley to visit those who need documents and letters read to them and responses written - even though she can't ride and is horrified by the conditions she finds awaiting her. Will the contrast between the home she's always known and the homes she finds here - for better and for worse - help her to realise what is really important in life? And can the work she finds to do - work that she never thought she could do - help her to find her place in life and a hope for the future?

I think that if I had to use only one word to describe this book, it would be 'inspiring'. The story of the Moonlight Schools is not one I'd heard before, but it's definitely memorable. This book combines the inspiring story of their introduction, aiming to reduce or remove adult illiteracy, with the tale of a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world, coming from a privileged but tragic background. The reader is blessed to be able to accompany her on her journey, while being given a bird's eye view of the battle against illiteracy in the region and an inside view into the lives of some of the colourful characters Lucy comes into contact with. I have to admit that I did find it a little slow to start, but it was completely worth it and I would highly recommend this inspiring and thought-provoking story.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Wonderful and heart-warming

I have read a lot of Suzanne Woods Fisher's books and this one is a bit different but I think it is one of her best and most important books. A historical novel, it is built around a factual real life heroine and her accomplishments. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

The Moonlight School By: Suzanne Woods Fisher is a well written Historical Fiction novel. The author has the ability to write across several genres. In this story we travel to Rowan County, Kentucky in 1911. Lucy has been haunted by her sisters dissapearance. Lucy Wilson travels to help scribe for the mountain people. I found this so interesting that there was so much illiteracy going on. Lucy realizes this when there are very few who can read and write. Lucy is shocked a bit taken back. Lucky comes from a well to do family - a life of privilege. She was afforded a lot of luxuries. As her time there goes on - she connects with Brother Wyatt. He stirs something in her heart. What will she find when she opens her heart and lets the walls down. Will they be able to find anything out about her sister?

I am thankful for the author's in depth research of life in the Appalacia and their customs. I learned so much through it. This is not a time period that I read a lot about. I had not known about "Midnight Schools" before - and am fascinated by them now. I also loved how the author brought in some real facts to help the story along. As always the author has written some amazing unique characters. The storyline is intriguing. I enjoyed this story very much.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoy learning about the past in historical fiction books. I learned a great deal in this finely woven story, based on true events. Characters became friends and I enjoyed exploring the hills and hollers with Lucy, Fin, Angie and Wyatt.