About the Book

Book: The Moonlight School 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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Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher is based on the true life of Cora Wilson Stewart in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky during 1911 by bringing literacy to the illiterate mountain folks. Cora along with the fictional characters gave way to an awesome tale with Fisher including the superstitions and way the mountain folks lived compared to those in the city.

Lucy Wilson is sent by her father to assist her cousin Cora. She grew up with plenty but carried a heavy load for many years with the loss of her younger sister Charlotte. Brother Wyatt was a favorite character with his perception of Almighty God being, “All Mighty means just that. Mighty over all.” His love for the people and God was beautifully woven into the story without being preaching. The secondary characters added so much to this historical tale. Lucy’s journey and experience with her cousin Cora is beautifully portrayed with her discovering purpose for her life. The creativity Fisher wove into this historical fiction tale gave way to one fabulous story that I couldn’t stop reading. I appreciate the notes and facts at the end of the book showing all that Cora Wilson Stewart accomplished during her lifetime and implementing Moonlight Schools for the illiterate to bring adult literacy into being in the hills of Kentucky.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and Revell publishers without any obligation to post a positive review. I have shared my own opinion.

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, 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?