About the Book

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 2, 2021

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.

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About the Author

Carol award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, Suzanne is the best-selling author of more than thirty books, ranging from non-fiction books, to children’s books, to novels. She lives with her very big family in northern California.

More from Suzanne

I’m Suzanne Woods Fisher, the author of The Moonlight School. This historical fiction will release on February 2, 2021, and is based on a true story featuring Cora Wilson Stewart (picture above), a Kentucky educator way ahead of her times. In 1911, Cora had a crazy idea—to open rural one-room schoolhouses in her county on moonlit nights to teach illiterate adults how to read and write.

So what happened next? Well, it’s so astonishing that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Instead, I hope you’ll read the book and find out for yourself.

In the meantime, this infographic provides a fascinating look at illiteracy THEN…and NOW. Makes you want to thank your teachers, doesn’t it?

My Thoughts

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher has Lucy Wilson traveling to Rowan County, Kentucky to help her cousin, Cora for six months. Her father grew up in the area. Lucy is shocked when she learns that she is expected to travel by horse into the mountains to write and read letters for the mountain people. Lucy thought she would be working in an office. She is unprepared for the living conditions of the people and surprised that many of them cannot read. Lucy meets Brother Wyatt, the singing teacher, who helps her navigate her new environment. Cora comes up with the idea to hold night classes for the adults to teach them to read. The school would be held on moonlit nights so they can find their way to the schoolhouses. Lucy finds herself challenged and questioning everything she had been taught. She gets an opportunity to find a purpose and love. The Moonlight School is an intriguing historical novel. I thought it was well-written and researched. It is a gently paced novel with developed characters. The story is a slow starter, but I soon found myself engrossed. I thought the author captured the time-period, the area, and the mountain people. The authors writing allowed me to imagine the proud mountain people, their homes, and their accent. I enjoyed learning about Cora Wilson Stewart and the work she did to help educate the people in the Appalachian Mountains. I liked the author’s historical notes at the end of the book along with the fact and fiction section. There are also discussion questions and suggested reading to learn more about Cora. It was great learning about Cora Wilson Stewart who worked tirelessly to bring education to people who truly needed it. I would have loved an epilogue that went forward a few years to show us how Angie, Lucy, Fin, and Wyatt were faring. The Moonlight School is heartwarming and inspiring tale that will transport you to another time and place.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card. Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter. The Moonlight School releases on February 2 and can be obtained from Amazon*. You can find Suzanne Woods Fisher other novels here. At Lighthouse Point is Suzanne Woods Fisher's next release. It is the third novel in Three Sisters Island series and will publish on May 4. Thank you for visiting today. Tomorrow I am featuring The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner. I hope that you have an inspiring day. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!