Kaitlyn Bingham &
The Freedom Writers Diary by Freedom Writers

Don't be afraid to be what you are, cause all you can be is you.

Nobody ever listens to a teenager. Everybody thinks you should be happy just because you're young. They don't see the wars that we fight every single day. And one day, my war will end. And I won't die. And I will not tolerate abuse from anyone. I am strong.

This is one of my favorite books ever. Throughout the book you can tell the kids want to become better people. This book shows the troubles of teenagers who are forced to grow up too quickly and a teacher who helps them become a better version of themselves.

I will admit that I picked up this book because I saw and loved the movie but I will also admit that this book didn't disappoint. This book allows you to see what these kids see, their struggles, their triumphs, their failures, and everything in between. It's also amazing to see how this group of underdogs surpasses not only other people's expectations, but even their own. And that isn't just the kids but also Erin Gruwell. I loved reading about how these kids gained more confidence in themselves and their experiences in the classroom from their perspective. Their meetings with Zlata, their trip to D.C, their trip to New York, and even their excitement about being able to say they were the first in their family to graduate high school let alone go on to college too. This is an amazing example of how students can truly soar when they are being taught by an educator that relates to them, cares about them, and inspires them. When they were able to see how the characters in these books were just like them, it made the lessons that much easier to grasp and build upon. If you are an educator (and even if you're not), pick up this book. Use Erin's example as a way for you to inspire your own classroom. Even if everyone else thinks they're a "bunch of misfits." 5 Stars.