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.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. This is a heart-breaking and also uplifting story of rural Kentucky in the early 1900's. It is a story of extreme poverty, illiteracy and the sacrifices families had to make in order to get their children an education. It is also a story of the brave woman who had to battle long-standing traditions held by people who felt they didn't need an education, and therefore their children didn't need one either. As a reading teacher, I just thought the story was an incredible testament to the power of the written word and the power that is given to those who can read to either A) share that gift with others or B) take advantage of those who can't read. This is a really powerful story and I highly recommend it.

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christian historical story that focuses on the illiterate in the Kentucky hills in 1911 and is based on the true character of Cora Wilson Stewart. Cora is a scribe for those who cannot read or write. Her distant cousin, Lucy, is sent to help her. Lucy quickly goes from having to learn how to ride a horse and find her way around the hills to working as a teacher for the school and working on a plan to form a night school for the adults. All the while, one of her older students has her eyes focused on a young man who has eyes for Lucy as well as the teaching job Lucy now holds.

This is a great Christian historical story. It is very descriptive so it is easy to imagine the people and the surroundings. The characters are fun and caring people. I especially enjoyed reading how Lucy changed and the ideas she came up with. I enjoyed the ending of the story that tells of a connection Lucy has for one of her students.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Think for a moment how difficult your life would be if you could not read or write. I suppose for most of us, the closet thing we can equate this to would be attempting to read something in a foreign language. Yet, I believe many of us could still deduct at least a few words out of a sentence or two because of some similarities we remember from some Spanish, French or Latin Class way back in our Youth! What if you were an adult 30, 40, or 50 years old and never, ever even learned the alphabet? When you conducted any type of legal business, you signed your name with an “X” because you had no idea how to write your name? You had to depend on what someone TOLD you was in the Legal Documents you signed but you had no way to know if what they said was the TRUTH! How could you ever hope to escape the poverty you were born in? What if you were fortunate enough to go to school and your teacher had only had to pass Grade 8 Exams to qualify to teach? This is the reality of Rowan County, Kentucky, in the Spring of 1911. Intellectual illiteracy and the challenge of what to do about it. Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a soul-stirring story for the ages! Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, Fisher brings this story to life by making the characters come alive and tell the story (their story) that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. These people and their story will completely capture your heart! Upon completion of reading this book, the reader will be thankful for many things; the two main ones being that they took time to read this book and heartfelt gratitude for the gift of reading. I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher was a terrific book I enjoyed very much!

It's based on the real life of Cora Wilson Stewart who was a champion of education in rural Kentucky at the turn of the twentieth century. Stewart's goal for the Moonlight Schools was to wipe out illiteracy among the Appalachian people in the remote backwoods hollers. The book has a feel of Catherine Marshall's, Christy. Fisher's phrasing is lovely,
"..they were out of the gloomy woods and into the bright sunlight. She seared that moment in her memory, never to be forgotten. Lucy Wilson was emerging from a life in the shadows."
Another favorite line,
"Sometimes you have to give something up to make room for something new." So true!

I enjoyed Fisher's lush description of the countryside setting as well as the characters of Cora and her niece Lucy Wilson, who'd come to Rowan County to assist her. Fisher's characters are well drawn and I enjoyed meeting Brother Wyatt, Finn and Angie too. There's a mystery within the story that really elevated my reading enjoyment, although how Lucy chose to handle what she learned was different than I would have chosen. I was so enamored of the entire story when it ended I was left wanting more. I would have loved an epilogue to learn what happened with the relationships of Lucy, Wyatt, Finn and Angie.

I learned so much about that time in history through this wonderful book by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I appreciate Revell, through NetGalley, making a copy of The Moonlight School available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher – 5 Stars
Those of us who take reading for granted should not. Reading this book brought so many feelings to the forefront for me. I have read a few books about the people of the hill country, in different areas, and this book made me so appreciative of those things I have in my home and my life. Lucy Wilson goes to help out Cora Wilson Stewart at first to ride a horse (she didn’t know how to ride when she first came to the mountain) into the country and to help the people write letters to others and to read letters those who received them. These adults can’t read and write, and they live in such primitive conditions. Yet they are so full of pride for what they do have. She ends up helping Cora to put together a school for adults, that takes advantage of the time when the children aren’t in school. Also, when the adults aren’t needed to work in their fields. This helps give Lucy a purpose, as she has been at loose ends ever since her sister disappeared and years later her Father remarried. She also meets Brother Wyatt with his unusual way of writing music down with words so that the people can follow them when he leads singing get togethers. This book is so full of reasons to read it, you won’t want to put it down, you’ll be horrified by the way the people live, their speech, and yet proud of them as they do so much with so little. Pick this book up! You’ll not be disappointed.

I received this book in the kindle format through NetGalley.com and the words above were my own freely given not required by NetGalley.
#TheMoonlightSchool #SuzanneWoodsFisher #NetGalley

Description
Haunted by her sister's mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster 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; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn't expected: love.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.

I absolutely loved this story! I loved that it is based on the true story of Cora Wilson Stewart, who started the "Moonlight Schools" in September of 1911. Her goal was to teach illiterate and semi-literate adults how to read. These mountain people were being taken advantage of because of their lack of education. They would have to sign contracts that they could not read. Cora's mission to help these adults would change their lives and the lives of future generations.

Lucy is pretty much all of us. We take what we know for granted until confronted with a situation that challenges our thinking. Lucy is from a wealthy family and when she encounters the mountain people she is appalled by their living conditions and lack of education. She is quick (just like we are) to draw conclusions without all the information. Lucy was ignorant of poverty until she saw it first hand, she couldn't imagine adults not knowing how to read, or parents not sending their children to school. Lucy did not understand that not all parents can afford to let their kids go to school because they are needed more at home.

As Lucy and Wyatt visit with the mountain people, gaining their stories, understanding their conditions, it turns into soul-seeking mission for Lucy. She must confront what she has always believed by what is right in front of her. As time passes Lucy really begins to understand and admire Cora's passion for the mountain people and their education.

There is quite a bit going on in this multi-layered story. There are several surprises and quite a few tender moments. Fisher's writing is engaging, the characters are real, and I had a hard time putting down this fantastic book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Historical Fiction!

Thank you to Net Galley and Revell for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review, but am happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In 1911, Cora Wilson Stewart, the first female superintendent in Rowan County, Kentucky, set up moonlight schools to educate the illiterate adults of Appalachia. This historical fiction novel tells the story of Lucy Wilson, Cora’s niece from Lexington, who is appalled at first by the “hillbillies” and their habits, but grows to love them dearly. I loved her transformation through the book, and I loved how literacy affected everyone’s lives.

I've enjoyed every book I've read by Suzanne Woods Fisher, but The Moonlight School is my new favorite of hers. It introduced me to a period of history I knew nothing about. It highlights the admirable life of the lovely Cora Wilson Stewart, who fought for the education of people who everyone else had written off. It contains a lovely coming of age story, and it's all wrapped up in a shocking mystery that had me glued to each and every page of the story.

Right from the opening pages, I felt myself connect with this beautiful story. Lucy Wilson's been forced to carry the burden of losing her toddler sister since childhood, and she's struggled to find anything in life that feels worth living for. Her cousin, Cora, invites her to come work as her assistant helping the mountain people send and receive letters who are illiterate. Lucy starts off feeling out of her element, but soon comes to appreciate and respect the simpler way that these kind hearted people choose to live their lives. She depends heavily on the help of Brother Wyatt, a kindhearted man with a really big heart for both God and the mountain people he grew up with. When the illiterate conditions of the mountain people cause them to be taken advantage of by logging companies, Cora devises a plan with Lucy and Wyatt's help to give them the education they deserve-a moonlight school.

Based on real historical events and told in Suzanne Wood Fisher's unique atmospheric, storytelling style, The Moonlight School is definitely a new favorite and I honestly wish there were going to be a sequel. I adored Lucy and Cora and how Cora's determination to help others never stops. I loved the relationship between Lucy and her father being examined in detail, and I especially adored each and every one of the mountain people, with Brother Wyatt being my favorite character of all. My only complaint was the way the author chooses to leave the mystery, but that was just a personal preference and it definitely didn't hinder my enjoyment of the rest of the story.

I will most definitely be recommending this one, and I can't wait for Suzanne's next book release.

Final Rating: 5/5.

I can't recommend this heartwarming story enough.

Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.

Time Period: 1911
Location: Morehead, Kentucky
Genre: Historical Fiction
However the Moonlight Schools in Eastern Kentucky ~ actually are a Fact.
https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813123783/cora-wilson-stewart-and-kentuckys-moonlight-schools/


I enjoyed reading the Fact or Fiction section at the end of story. This is a Historical Fiction story so expected some of the characters were created for this story.

I have only read a few of [author: Suzanne Woods Fisher] novels but enjoyed them.

The story of the Moonlight Schools is based on fact. In fact, reminds me a bit of the novel ‘The Book Women of Troublesome Creek’ as that story was also based on Historical Facts. I was not aware of the women who rode houseback to deliver library books nor had I ever heard of the “Blue People”.
I was not aware of the Moonlight Schools.
Certainly makes me sad that I sure missed this kind of American History but at least my love of reading stories is helping to educated me now!

Lucy Wilson’s mother had died when she was young and now 14 or so years later in 1911, her father has finally remarried. It appear in order to start off his marriage, he decided perhaps 22 year old Lucy should go help cousin Cora Wilson Steward in the Kentucky backwoods with secretarial work ~ for a little while perhaps 6 months.
Lucy has been educated in s women’s Finishing schools so isn’t sure how she can help as a stenographer in the uneducated mountain area.
Cousin Cora Wilson Steward is quite a character and is the first female Superintendent of Education in Rowan County, Kentucky. Cora has been helping the uneducated mountain people with their letter writing ~ actually reading the neither letters they received, as they cannot read nor write. They will dictate a response to their letter that needs to be written and returned. Cora has become so busy and believes this would be something her niece could easily do.
Lucy must travel to their homes via horseback but has never been on a horse. Her trips to help these people soon become very rewarding however there is a need to educate this folks. They are not stupid people but just have never received proper education. Education now consists of a one teacher in a one room school for all grades!
Cora Wilson Steward has the idea for a night school opened on moonlit evening thus the Moonlight School. She believes in order to combat poverty, literacy needs to be eliminating.

Lucy of course becomes a part of this, however, in the back of her mind she would like to return home as she is still haunted with the kidnapping of her little sister. Who went missing 10 years ago under Lucy’s watch when Charlotte was two and a half years old and Lucy was nine!

I enjoyed this story as I was curious and these characters are great!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plus ~ I should round up!!
Love the Book Club suggested questions and reading the Acknowledgements and/or Author’s Notes as always a story within the story. Suzanne Woods Fisher tells us her inspiration for writing this story.
I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to the next Suzanne Woods Fisher novel!

Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early release granted to me for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 9, 2021

Wonderful characters that work their way into your heart. A story of poverty and illiteracy that had me wanting to jump into the story and help change the Appalachian mountain communities. Lucy matured and changed as this story progressed, her love deepening for others . This story gave me a lot to think on piercing my mind and heart in the process. The author does a fantastic job of showing love means sacrifice, holding on to traditions and even understanding what true happiness is. I love the fact that Cora Wilson is a real person and this story was written around her, she is a hero to many! There is the beginning of a sweet romance that keeps the reader wondering who Lucy will choose or who will choose her. This is the first book I’ve read by Suzanne Woods Fisher and I found it lacking nothing, instead it gave me a love for her writings.

Fans of Catherine Marshall's Christy should brew a cup of tea and sit a spell to enjoy The Moonlight School. The Moonlight School is based on the true story of Cora Wilson Stewart, a pioneer in establishing adult literacy programs in Rowan County, Kentucky.

After years of mourning the mysterious loss of her sister, Lucy arrives in Rowan County in 1911 to assist Cora with her correspondence. Lucy quickly discovers that the job entails much more than filing papers. She is sent into remote hollers to read letters to families and to write letters on their behalf. Her experience unfolds while acclimating to a new culture and meeting colorful characters. Her lost sister and her father's lumber business, which is stripping the land of its resources and beauty, is never far from her mind. Lucy will encounter some hard truths, as well as faith, in her journey to find her purpose.

I received an advance copy of The Moonlight School from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

The Moonlight School Feb 2

9 year old Lucy Wilson waits on a bench with her 2 year old sister Charlotte while her Dad finishes a business deal. Lucy, involved in reading a book, doesn't notice when Charlotte disappears until it is too late, she glimpses a woman watching them from a distance earlier in the day.
Eleven years later Lucy is sent to the place where her father grew up, Morehead, Kentucky to be a stenographer for her Aunt Cora.
It is a shock for Lucy to meet the people in Morehead and the surrounding area, they are mountain people, illiterate hillbillies raising their families on small remote farms .
Cora meets Finley James, a teenager who takes her to people's homes to write letters for them as they can't read or write, and she develops a love for the people and their culture, especially their music and dancing.
But the people have an enemy that wants to take advantage of them and their land.....

I was on the fence throughout this one. It was masterful storytelling of a sweet, clean historical fiction about life in the Appalacia and their customs with a bit of romance. Whilst the book is rather slow moving It does give an enlightening look at the language and lifestyles of the people in the hollers.

A delightful christian historical romance telling the story of the moonlight schools in eastern KY. Will be reading more about Cora Wilson Stewart and her campaign against illiteracy! Thank God for those who pursue their calling and give glory to God. Highly recommend. #themoonlightschool #netgalley #suzannewoodsfisher

The Moonlight School is a very well written historical romance. A very good plot touching on illiteracy. Fantastic character dynamics and setting. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

The Moonlight School by award winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christian historical novel set in Kentucky. Beginning in Louisville and Lexington the story travels to Morehead and Rowan County. This early 1900 tale is based on the life of Cora Wilson Stewart, the first woman elected school superintendent in Rowan County.

This is also about Lucy Wilson. She travels from Lexington, Kentucky to Morehead to be Cora’s assistant and stenographer. Her experiences are delightful as city girl meets the hill people. It is heartwarming to watch Lucy’s transformation. We also meet Brother Wyatt, a quiet man that holds church outdoors and teaches singing classes. It is impossible to read this extraordinary novel and not fall in love with the characters and their stories.

I was immediately captivated by the story and characters. This book is definitely my favorite one written by author Fisher so far. It is steeped with folklore, mountain traditions, and rich lessons of faith. It is obvious the author has done her research with the colloquialisms, mountain dialect, and characters, some of whom are real.

Author Fisher is a talented storyteller. She took me back in time and away to the hollers of Rowan County, Kentucky. I could almost smell the aroma of the Kentucky country and hear the sounds of the farms and nature. Her characters jumped off of the pages and into my heart. They were well described and believable.

I learned so much from this book. It was encouraging and inspiring. There is so much to love tucked into its pages. I read turning page after page, riveted to the story. There were twists and turns, life lessons, spiritual messages, mystery, romance, and much more.

At the end of the book is a plethora of information that you won’t want to miss. There is a section entitled “So What Happened Next” that tell more details about Miss Cora and the Moonlight School. Following that is “Fact or Fiction” which explains some of the things and people. The next page has a list of “Recommended Reading on Cora’s Life” for those wanting to continue learning about this wonderful lady. Closing up the book are “Discussion Questions” to help individuals or groups.

I highly recommend this exemplary book. It is fabulous. It would make a wonderful book for any historical reader. School teachers will love this. Book clubs will have so much fun in their discussions. This is a book for everyone. I give it a 6 out of 5 stars. (I wish I could, so 5 will have to suffice.) A copy was provided by the publisher but these are my honest words.

I have been on the fence about what direction my feedback should take for a the Moonlight School. The book is rather slow moving and gives an enlightening look at life in Appalachia around the turn of the 20th century. However, as I have been reading this novel, I cannot escape that fact of how similar it is to Christy, the classic by Catherine Marshall. Lucy’s experiences with meeting the mountain people and her relationship with Cora closely mirrors that of Christy’s experience leaving her privileged life to teach the less fortunate in the Great Smokies. This title was not a favorite and I would recommend reading Christy instead.

Haunted by her sister's mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster 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; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn't expected: love.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.

I was so excited to get the ARC of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s newest book for several reasons. Of course, I LOVE her Amish romances. But more than that, I was thrilled to see that it featured a significant figure in Appalachian history: educator and founder of the Moonlight Schools, Cora Wilson Stewart.

I grew up in Morgan County, Kentucky, just one county over from Cora Wilson Stewart’s home county, Rowan. I graduated from Morehead State University, where Stewart had attended about one hundred years before me. I’ve seen the historical marker that tells her story, located in downtown Morehead beside the well-preserved one-room school. I vividly remember a woman who traveled to elementary schools dressed as Stewart, telling the story of how she brought literacy to the men and women of Eastern Kentucky, and later the nation.

Fisher’s book maintains the basics of Cora Wilson Stewart’s life and work but infuses a fictional account of a cousin, Lucy, who witnessed the birth of the Moonlight School movement. Of course, Lucy encounters romance. Readers witness her character’s growth and spiritual development along the way, all hallmarks of Fisher’s writing. Lucy’s story was engaging and came to a fairly satisfying conclusion.

As a native Appalachian, I am always wary of an outsider’s take on the culture, traditions, and especially the language. I found Fisher’s approach to be loving, appreciative, and accurate- although I continue to dispute the use of “Paw” as the name most children called their father. My experience tells me that “Daddy” was the preferred name. This isn’t a criticism of Fisher’s writing; it is just an observation I’ve had from several books set in this era and region.

The Moonlight School was an easy 5 star read for me. I encourage anyone who has a passion for literacy and education or Appalachian culture to snag this book! I loved reading the notes at the end and finding that Fisher had consulted heavily with one of my favorite Morehead State history professors, Dr. Yvonne Baldwin, whose dissertation was about Stewart’s life and work. Thanks to NetGalley and Revell Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. It releases on February 2.