The Moonlight School

Our Review

Five hearts and a recommended read for THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL, by bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher! The story takes place in 1911, in Rowan County, Kentucky. It’s based on the real-life experiences of Cora Wilson Stewart, the superintendent of schools in Rowan County.

What if you were an adult 30, 40, or 50 years old and never learned to read or write? If you had to sign your name with an “X”? You had to depend on someone else to read legal documents and hope you were not being taken advantage of. This is the reality of Rowan County, Kentucky, in the Spring of 1911, and the story portrays it well.

Lucy Wilson comes from a wealthy family in St. Louisville, Kentucky, to be the stenographer for her cousin, Cora, who is the superintendent of schools. Lucy becomes more of an assistant than a stenographer. Lucy is shocked by the poverty of the Hollers. 

Cora and Brother Wyatt, the singing preacher, provide Lucy with knowledge and wisdom for dealing with the mountain people. Cora, Brother Wyatt, and Lucy plan and start the Moonlight School for adults. At that time in history, it is believed that adults could not learn to read and write and do math. Were they surprised when the adults were reading at 4^th to 6th grade levels after only six weeks of the moonlight school!

There are two love stories and a mystery which Lucy solves.

This book is WELL researched, and the story of Lucy is very intriguing. I learned so much about the illiterate adults and the poverty of Rowan County.

If I could give THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL 10 hearts, I would!!!

Recommended Read