BoingBoing reader Nathan McKenzie in Austin, TX says,
I saw a pre-screening here in Austin last night for a movie called "The Freedom Writers," based on a novel and true story about a teacher (Erin Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank). She inspired urban school kids in Long Beach, CA to succeed in school by introducing them to writings of Anne Frank and Zlata Filopvic, and by encouraging them to keep journals. The book is comprised of the student's real, bone-chilling journal accounts of violence and negative life. It is extremely inspiring given today's decrepit public educational system here in the US.After the movie, the real Erin Gruwell and a student came out and met each of us in the audience. I asked her to sign my copy of her book and dedicate it to BoingBoing because i see a parallel between what you guys do and what she did to inspire people. I really hope you can publish this (or these pics) on boingboing and get the nation to feel the power of this story. It is a truly amazing work for our times. The movie will be released in January, 2007. Thank you and keep up the good fight.
Movie info: Link, and here's the book: Amazon link. Enlarge Nathan's pics: cover, inside with dedication. Thank you, Nathan, and thank you, Erin Gruwell.
