Chapters 33-38

After loosing the election, Erin found herself feeling alone and in debt. She began speaking out at conferences and events to pay for some bills, but Erin soon found herself traveling all over the country speaking to everyone from businessmen to teachers about her experiences with the Freedom Writers. She never had a script, but she always found a way to connect to the audience. Before one specific event, Erin and her old student Maria met Hank Aaron, and Erin quickly called her father to tell him. Unfortunately her dad died of a heart attack while she was on her way to speak to a group of teachers. In honor of her dad, Erin decided to honor her commitment to the teachers. While all of this was going on, the Freedom Writers movie was also in the works. After searching for awhile Erin finally found someone who would do the story justice and that is exactly what he did. The book ended at the movie premiere in Newport Beach, which is where Erin took her class to see Shindler’s List many years before.

I thought it was exciting that Erin was able to recover from the election by spreading the Freedom Writers story across the country. She touched many people’s lives from all different professions. It was unfortunate that Erin lost her father so young, but at least she was able to realize that she needed the Freedom Writers “family” just as much as they need her. Also, I’m glad that Erin and the Freedom Writers actually had a say in the making of the movie because you never now if a movie will do the book justice. I would have liked to have heard more about what the students were doing, and how Erin helped them succeed.