Release: November 12th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: She Writes Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Find it at: Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD, Indiebound
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Colleen, is an idealistic young white teacher. Frank is a black high school football player and Evelyn is an experienced black teacher, Freedom Lessons is the story of how the lives of these three very different people intersect in a rural Louisiana town in 1969.
In the first place, Colleen is not aware of the culture of the rural Louisiana town . Not to mention, she has little knowledge of the customs and practices of the local community. The school integration takes place during an overnight event which surprises the town’s residents .This leads to confusion and anxiety among them. Colleen has no choice but compelled to take sides after the school is integrated. Her idealistic values are tested as she seeks to understand her black colleagues, particularly Evelyn.
Why doesn’t she want to integrate the public schools?
Frank, meanwhile, is determined to protect his mother and siblings after his father’s suspicious death. Also, he seems to be keeping a secret from everyone around him.
The novel is based on the author’s experience teaching in Louisiana in the late sixties. It deals with the heartfelt effects of school integration at that time in the face of issues related to race, unity, and identity.
About the Author:
Eileen Harrison Sanchez is a retiree after a forty-year career in education. She started as a teacher and ended as a district administrator. Eileen has been writing part time for seven years with a writers group in Summit, NJ (www.writerscircleworkshops.com). She is also a member of the Historical Writers of America, Historical Novel Society, Philadelphia Stories Writers Community, Goodreads American Historical Novels Group, and several online writers groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. A reader, a writer, and a perennial, Sanchez considers family and friends to be the most important parts of her life. She also loves traveling and bird watching from her gazebo.
Freedom Lessons Review:
This is a beautiful, poignant, and difficult book to read because of its theme and relevance to present society .
By and large, the author did a wonderful job in narrating the story, as it alternates between Colleen, Frank and Evelyn. From the first page itself the author sets the unnerving tone of the book as we fear for Colleen and Miguel as they settle in a small Louisiana town. You don’t know how people will react to Miguel (and Colleen) as he is Cuban. Then you have Frank who is a talented football player, but faces racism and bullying from the coach and the team to keep him on the side-lines.
Although we have come a long way in being kind and tolerant to others, there are still many who are with prejudices towards others with different skin color and ethnicity. Some of the scenes that stood out for me was when Colleen fears for the children’s lives just to take them to the library, or how Frank reacts when he hears the snide remarks about him. In essence, all the characters are portrayed in a compelling and realistic manner. The KKK also play a role in the story which makes the story difficult and tense. Colleen and Evelyn’s friendship is another highlight to the story, as they support each other no matter what.
The author tells a book in a realistic manner, where not everything has a perfect ending. In the same way in life, there are many situations we encounter where things don’t work out in an ideal manner. Yet, the author brings in a moment of hope where we can always move on and hope for a better future. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and thought it was a very memorable read.
Giveaway:
Win an autographed copy of FREEDOM LESSONS or a $15 Amazon Gift Card (2 winners) (USA only) (ends Oct 16)
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Freedom Lessons by Eileen Harrison Sanchez Blog Tour hosted by iRead Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Book Tour Schedule
28 Sep – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
28 Sep – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
29 Sep – All Booked Up Reviews – book review
29 Sep – Pen Possessed – book review
30 Sep – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
30 Sep – Rajiv’s Reviews – book review
1 Oct – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
2 Oct – eBook addicts – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
5 Oct – Book World Reviews – book review
5 Oct – Momfluenster – book review / giveaway
6 Oct – Library of Clean Reads – book review / giveaway
6 Oct – Books and Zebras – book review
7 Oct – My Fictional Oasis – book review
7 Oct – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
8 Oct – Literary Flits – book review / giveaway
9 Oct – On My Bookshelf – book review / author interview / giveaway
Thank you for your kind words and this wonderful review and for being part of my blog tour! It has been an amazing opportunity to meet so many readers. Bloggers like Rajiv help readers find new books. Freedom Lessons has been recommended as a resource for middle and high school teachers and librarians. Your support is truly appreciated.