TOW #18- The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell

At the age of twenty-three Erin Gruwell, a new teacher at Wilson High School in Long Beach, is able to teach a room of so called "unteachable, at-risk students" through nontraditional methods such as journalism. The Freedom Writer's Diary, a #1 New York Times Bestseller, demonstrates how someone can make a difference in there life and those around you, no matter what conditions. Many of these troubled teen already participate in gangs, substance abuse, and illegal actions and on top of which  are been labeled as "failures" by their teachers, peers, and even their parents, further preventing them from success and a life of misery. That being said, Erin Gruwell was determined, even though she couldnt identify with her student being that she was a white women staying in a safe suburban residence and was her first time teaching. So far, The Freedom Writer's Diary has given the readers a better understanding of different perspectives of the students of mixed races who are struggling with similar issue, and shows the true empowerment of the young minds as they go through their first couple years of high school. Even though the pages are written and of course the teacher they are able to incorporate many literary devices such as references and vivid imagery. Several times so far, Erin Gruwell has made references from M.L.K Jr., Anne Frank's Diary, and Romeo and Juliet, where she displays the struggles that others have faced that shows someone knows what they are going through. For instance, Erin Gurwell wishes that "... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers." where she alludes to Martin Luther King Jr. to show the students she is not just there to be a babysitter, but someone who is trying to get the students to be successful.