The Freedom Writers Diary

My Recommendation

I felt that this book was easy to read, and it kept the reader intrigued.Although the book had some sad parts, and it wasn't very relatable due the lack of crime that surrounds me,I feel as though it is one of the most inspiring books that I have ever read. It showed me that I can reach any goal that I set my mind to. It also helped me to realize that I should always be up to learning new things, because I could miss out on something that is potentially life changing.

My Favorite Paragraph

It sounds strange, somewhat on the line between irony and absurdity, to think that people would rather label and judge something as significant as each other but completely bypass a peanut. ... World peace is only a dream because people won't allow themselves and others around them to simply be peanuts. We won't allow the color of a man's heart to be the color of his skin, the premise of his beliefs, and his self-worth. We won't allow him to be a peanut, therefore we won't allow ourselves to come to live in harmony.

I chose this paragraph because it shows how judgmental our world is. It was from a student's point of view and I think that makes it more powerful. I like how she mentioned that world peace is only a dream, even though we have the power to make it real. It's a reminder that you should treat other people the way you want to be treated, no matter what race they are.

About the Author

• Erin Gruwell was born in California in 1965 and passed away in 2006.

• Gruwell only taught for four years before starting her own Freedom Writers Foundation.

• The Freedom Writers, also known as the class as a whole, were featured on PrimeTime Live and Good Morning America.

• Gruwell was actually threatened to be killed by one of her students who had transferred from a rival school.

Favorite Quotes

Summary

Favorite Quotes

“Society just doesn't care about young people anymore, even if we are the future.”

• English teacher Erin Gruwell is assigned her first class which other teachers labeled as "unteachable"

Respect

“No matter what race we are, what ethnic background, sexual orientation, or what views we may have, we are all human. Unfortunately, not all humans see it that way.”

• The class was full of students that had more problems than just homework. They were all surrounded by drugs, murder, gangs, etc.

This quote came from a diary entry of one of the students. I chose this quote because no matter what happens in the future, adults will always try and make young people seem like the older generation's lifestyle was always better.

I love this quote because it is a complete fact. I, myself, am not racist or prejudice. Yet, there will always be people in this world that are. God created us all equal, and I believe that anyone who is prejudice, yet claims to be a Christian, is hypocritical.

• One day Miss Gruwell finds a note being passed around the class that has hateful things about other races written on it

I chose respect because the students had no respect for their teacher when she first started, but they slowly gained it once they realized how much she has helped them.

• Miss Gruwell tries explaining to the class that the type of hatred they are committing is equivalent to the hatred committed during the Holocaust.

Violence

• Miss Gruwell gives the class the assignment to read The Diary of Anne Frank. She hands out diaries for the class to write in on a daily basis

Favorite Quotes

• The class started to enjoy the subject because of how they can release their tragic lives through their diaries.

• The class raises money so that they can bring Miep Gies, the woman whose family hid Anne Frank, to their school.

“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you tell kids they're stupid--directly or indirectly--sooner or later they start to believe it.”

• The class immediately receives attention from the media, and begin to inspire others.

I chose violence as a theme because it resembles the crime and gangs that surrounded the students while they were at home.

• The class went on to visit the Anne Frank House as well as win the Spirit of Anne Frank award. All the students graduated and attended college thanks to Miss Gruwell.

Favorite Quotes

Erin Gruwell said this while the other teachers were saying that her class isn't teachable. I chose this quote because it shows the faith and determination that Miss Gruwell had in her heart when accepting the oppurtunity to teach her class.

“Don't let the actions of a few determine the way you feel about an entire group. Remember, not all German's were Nazis.”

This quote was said by Miss Grewall when speaking to the class. I chose this quote because she relates judging a group back to the Holocaust.

Segregation

Determination

Favorite Quotes

“Evil prevails when good people do nothing.”

I chose this quote because it proposes a question. How can we expect a positive change, when we will not put our best foot forward to provoke change?

I chose determination as a theme because it reflects how the class used their determination by raising money in order to get Miep to visit their school.

Segregation is used during the beginning of the book. All of the students were of different races while the teacher was Caucasian.

The Freedom Writers Diary

Presentation By: Hannah White