The students of today tell their stories of adversity and growth in letters to the original
Freedom Writers—authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Freedom Writers Diary—who write
supportive and powerful letters in response. Over twenty years ago the students in first-year
teacher Erin Gruwell’s high school class in Long Beach California were labeled
unteachable”—but she saw past that. Instead of treating them as scores on a test she
understood that each of them had a unique story to tell. Inspired by books like Anne Frank’s
diary her students began writing their own diaries eventually dubbing themselves the Freedom
Writers. Together they co-authored The Freedom Writers Diary which launched a movement that
remains incredibly relevant and impactful today. Their stories speak to young people who feel
as if those around them do not care about their lives their feelings and their struggles.
They want to be heard they want to be seen. In Dear Freedom Writer the next generation of
Freedom Writers shares its struggles with abuse racism discrimination poverty mental health
imposed borders LGBTQIA+ identity and police violence. Each story is answered with a letter
of advice from an original Freedom Writer. With empathy and honesty they address these young
people not with the platitudes of a politician or a celebrity but with the pragmatic advice of
people who have dealt with these same issues and come out on the other side. Through its
eye-opening and inspiring stories Dear Freedom Writer paints an unflinchingly honest portrait
of today’s youth and offers a powerful message of perseverance understanding and hope.
