"The Moonlight School," by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 "The Moonlight School," by Suzanne Woods Fisher

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.

I LOVED this book, this had everything I enjoy in a book.  Great storyline, super characters, and set in a part of the world I love to read about.  It was also based around a true part of history, "The Moonlight School's of Kentucky."  I had never heard of them until I read this book.

This book also showed you how despite having very little in life these folk were very rich in other ways.  It also show's how first impressions never tell the full story.  I loved the twist in this story also, and the important decision Lucy had to make regarding this.  I can't say what as it would spoil it for you, if you decide to read the book.

If I had to find fault with the book, I thought it would have been more about the Moonlight Schools.  It was more a love story of Lucy and Wyatt.  However the details of life in Kentucky at that time was woven seamlessly into the story.

Stars out of 5 : 5 So well worth the read.  If you had never heard of the Moonlight Schools, here is an interesting link about them. 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".