This was such an interesting and informative historical fiction about the moonlight schools in Kentucky.

Lucy grew up as a wealthy child of a man who owned a lumber company. She ends up going to her cousin, Cora's, in Kentucky to help her. Cora is in charge of the schools up in the mountains.

Of course, in the beginning there is a huge culture shock for Lucy but as she learns more about the people, will her heart melt?

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools in Kentucky, The Moonlight School, written by Susanne Woods Fisher and to be published February 2, 2021, brings to light the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously.

Lucy Wilson, 19, the fictional cousin of Superintendent of Education, Cora Wilson Stewart, leaves Lexington to help her cousin as an assistant in the small town of Morehead. She is sent to the hills to scribe for the mountain people and is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty. As her six-month contract comes to an end, she realizes that she has found her purpose in Rowan County. Charmed by the people, serenity, and beauty she overlooks the filth and squalor that first repelled her. Along with her cousin, Cora, and sensitive to the hill folk’s feeling of inadequacy, Lucy spearheads the moonlight schools Monday through Thursday nights, 7-9pm, when their chores are done and the darkness hides their attendance. In addition to discovering her purpose, Lucy finds answers to the two questions that plague her and experiences giving and receiving love.

I loved reading about how the Appalachian schoolhouses were used on moonlight nights to teach adults reading and writing. Being a teacher, it made my heart happy to read how in two years, the 1152 illiterates and semi-illiterates in Kentucky dwindled to only 23 illiterates through the love and concern of dedicated people willing to teach without pay. It just goes to show you that “when motivation meets opportunity, miracles happen.” The fictional characters that the author added to showcase Cora and her pledge were exceptional. I instantly loved the singing schoolmaster, Brother Wyatt, who travelled the hills as well as Finley James, the hill boy who flourished with time and attention. As teachers, we all have met a ‘Finley’ in our classes; one who really doesn’t want to be at school but somehow has found a place in our hearts. It was fascinating to watch Lucy’s growth over the six-month period. When discussing her work she admits, it’s “a terrible shame to grow up in poverty and ignorance. Yet the more I see of these people, of their lives and their hearts, I wonder if I’m the one who grew up in poverty and ignorance. Poverty of spirit. Ignorance of heart.” Reading about Lucy’s transformation was like peeling an onion; layers upon layers of protection peeled back to reveal the true Lucy. Central to the theme of this novel is the idea that people should not let their past determine their future and that a sense of belonging in a family is sometimes as important as being born a part of a family. In addition to learning about the whole word approach used to ensure quick success in the moonlight schools, you’ll also be introduced to mountain music and shape note notation that enabled the hill folk who love music, but can’t read.

If you are a teacher or liked “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michelle Richardson, you’ll love this book.

Thank you to Suzanne Woods Fisher, Revell and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a simple, hardscrabble story about a simple, hardscrabble people. Just before World War I, a lost and disoriented Lucy leaves the city to spend six months serving the rural areas of Kentucky with a family member. She learns a lot about their different lifestyle, the culture, and herself along the way. Three men vie for her attentions...but does any of them ever truly win? The sub-plot involves a search for her sister, long since gone missing, and how it has shaped her life. Some of the twists toward the end were unexpected, but overall this was a superb read....one you won't easily lay down, even to sleep.

As an aside, it comes with a glossary of terms. However, if you're a native Appalachian like myself, rather than needing it, you're going to find yourself realizing that some of these are not spoken by folks all over...

THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL..Suzanne Woods Fisher
Lucy with orders from her father to watch Charlotte, at 2 1/2 a curious child. Absorbed in the story of Beth in Little Women, she was distracted, and now a sister missing. Life changes when her father remarried and not much older than Lucy. Then saying a cousin Cora needed a stenographer for six months. Thinking it would be a lot of making tea which she had learned well to do.
To her surprise it was visiting these people as they dictated a letter to her.
Of which riding horseback to their homes, she had never been on a horse father saying it was un lady like. Days when he lived here and knew Cora her father had ridden a horse, Now a mention of snakes and learning to interpret the language of the mountain people, what had she gotten into.
Cora wanted to see a brave courages Lucy once again, not bogged down from the guilt of losing Charlotte, and think for herself.
Life changes with a campaign for the Moonlight school for the mountain people to be educated. Needing volunteers to visit each home and tell them. A beautiful story of how a simple word to God, was prayer that easy to do, and getting the idea of how this campaign would succeed, Cora now had an answer and a purpose. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion for Net ?Galley and Revell.

A positive message based on true events in Rowan County Kentucky. Cora Wilson Stewart fought the battle against illiteracy in a fashion unheard of in the Appalachian Mountains in this moving story. I loved learning the history and about the everyday lives of the mountain people. Their strength and endurance, loyalty and faith is encouraging. The author brought the characters to life throughout. The one thing I found troubling was how the author dealt with Charlotte. Highly recommended!

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher is an excellent southern historical fiction that has it all: HF, strong female characters, based on true people and events, a little romance, and a strong/positive message and ending.

I love books that are inspired by history, and this book takes the fiery and wonderful Cora Wilson Stewart and her quest to help eliminate adult illiteracy in deep Appalachia, Rowan County, Kentucky, and add a wonderful side story and narrative to her implementation of the Moonlight schools. Being from Appalachia myself, I was initially drawn to this story of a fascinating woman in history that added an important piece of education to the early 1900s. I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful story and additional characters created simultaneously to create a heartwarming story of compassion, passion, selflessness, community, purpose, faith, and the desire to be a part of something and to have a place to call home.

I love what the author did with Ms. Stewart and I think she did her justice with this book. I love the additional stories of Lucy, Finley James, Brother Wyatt, and the other cast of characters that the author so painstakingly created to go along perfect with the narrative. It all ran seamlessly and beautifully.

I also enjoyed the Author’s historical notes at the end and the Fact vs Fiction information. It all really added to the book.

5/5 stars enthusiastically

Thank you NetGalley and Revell Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/2/21.

Wow, I'm at a loss for words with this book. I'm not even sure how to describe it. I had to read this book when I had some quiet time, which was usually at night when the kids were asleep. I truly LOVE this story. I had never heard of Cora or her fight to end illiteracy throughout her county in Kentucky. I had to look her up! The way the story is layout grabbed me from the start. I always wanted to know what would happen next. The way the history is told through the characters of this story is gripping. Lucy is a great character and I love how she found her place in such a small town. I liked how she grew as a character and was strong. Brother Wyatt and Fin were great characters too. They each brought their own uniqueness to the story. I'm so glad I had the chance to read this story and found a great new author too! Happy reading my friends.