Editorial Review
In this passionate, poignant, and deeply personal memoir and call to arms, Erin Gruwell, the dynamic young teacher who nurtured a remarkable group of high school students from Long Beach, California, who called themselves the Freedom Writers, picks up where The Freedom Writers Diary—and the hit movie The Freedom Writers—left off and brings the reader up to date on where the Freedom Writers are today. Including their unforgettable trip to Auschwitz, where they met with Holocaust survivors; their tour of the attic of their beloved Anne Frank; and their visit to Bosnia with their friend Zlata Filipovic, Teach With Your Heart chronicles what happened with the Freedom Writers as they made their way through college and beyond. Along the way, Gruwell includes lessons for parents and teachers about what she learned from her remarkable band of students as she traveled through the emotional peaks and valleys on the front lines of our nation’s educational system. A mesmerizing story of one young woman’s personal odyssey and of her remarkable ability to encourage others to follow in her footsteps, Teach With Your Heart is marked by the enviable radiance and irrepressible force of nature that is Erin Gruwell and her unbelievable determination to ensure that education in the United States truly meets the needs of every student.
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Customer Reviews
Need inspiration?.....then read this book 
2007-12-17
Thank you Erin! You are an absolute inspiration to all future teachers!! I didn't care what kind of writing this book was in. I was just taken back at what this lady went through. Amazing journey! Must, must, read!!
Thank Goodness For "Yes" 2007-12-10
Erin Gruwell's memoir illustrates what can happen when you forget to think before you say "yes," AND when you're a person who keeps your word. You work harder than you ever dreamed possible, and sometimes, if you're lucky and have support, good comes from it. It also shows what can happen before a teacher "knows better" than to take time to teach to the moment, not that s/he doesn't want to but because s/he is forced to stick to the test prep curriculum.
Depending on their experiences, teachers may be heartened by, or feel cynical about, this book, but I know most would be pleased to read about what Gurwell was able to draw out of her students, and the lengths she went to (but not without a cost--possibly her marriage) to help them. Thank goodness for "yes." Thank goodness for teachers.
Note: I have not seen "Freedom Writers" or read THE FREEDOM WRITERS
DIARY, so my thoughts are based only what I read in this book... and from having been a teacher.
Note: Some reviewers have complained this book is too much about Gruwald, but who else is it supposed to be about? It's a memoir.
Poorly written and not that unique 
2007-11-22
I'm a journalist who often covers education issues, and I wanted to read this much-touted memoir.
My first impression was how how poorly the book is written. Erin Gruwell is heralded as an English teacher among English teachers. Yet, her writing seemed to be somewhere around a ninth-grade level. And this is after an editor at her publisher has poured over it and prettied it up. Who knows what the original draft looked like.
Then her tale seemed so self serving. She connected with her students, but I didn't see any connection that was so terribly unique.
Gruwell's story kept reminding me of a teacher I know who sends out press releases and attempts to get the media involved in her class at every turn. The teacher I know has had plenty of press, but it's because she has the editors' e-mail addresses at the ready. Not all teachers are media hounds. I couldn't help but think of her as I read Gruwell's book.
This overall story is just so cliche that I need to see something extraordinary to seperate it from the slew of others out there.
I hate to seem so negative, but anything less just wouldn't be truthful.
The poor writing, self-serving tone and cliche'd plot leave everything to be desired. Pass on this one, folks.
Teach With Your Heart 2007-09-22
A must read for educators. Soft-hearts you will cry. A book you will not be able to put down!
Inspiring Read 2007-09-19
Erin Gruwell's book motivates teachers to take action. Her persistance is a key to her success. I know many teachers who are just as successful as her in teaching "at-risk" teens. Her story is famous because she turned her class into a product "The Freedom Writers" and marketed them to the world. This allowed her to get funds to finance their educational trips and college years. She was very business savy and a hustler! One of my old college professors (who taught high school English) would constantly ask corporations and local churches for support. It is true the sweaky wheel always gets the grease! Thus, if you are an extremely motivated teacher who works hard in the classroom and networks outside the classroom there are no limits.
loved it! 2008-06-30
Such an inspiring story for future educators. A must read for anyone thinking about the teaching profession!
Touching story, but what was NOT said? 
2008-06-19
I was assigned this memoir for a graduate Teaching in America course. Although I found the story touching and inspiring to a degree, I also found things missing from the book. The setting was in the 1990s (before No Child Left Behind), but were there others California standards? What happened to the rest of her students (other than those that have done appearances with Gruwell)? In any book such as this, you must not only pay attention to what is being said but what is not being said.
Inspiring story 2008-04-10
Many others have written detailed reviews. This is merely an attempt to throw mine in the ring. I will begin by saying that I do not believe this book was ever intended to be a "How To" manual, but rather it is Erin telling us her story. One reviewer's title stated it was "Difficult to Replicate." I would take that one further and state that it is IMPOSSIBLE to replicate (it is HER story!) and we would miss the point if we tried.
Her ability to take these kids to screenings, and meet screenwriters, and dine at the Marriott, and meet Miep Gies, and attend the Holocaust Museum was due in part to their geographical location. Granted, all of these resources were available to other teachers in the area -- but my understanding is that no one was taking "those kids." So her willingness to take these students to these places was a large part of what changed their lives. However, depending on where you live, some of these things just are not an option!
The bigger lesson is not to replicate (we would all try & fail!) -- but rather to figure out what is it that I can do, where I am, with the resources I have in front of me. Otherwise, we could excuse our inaction for lack of resources. For me this book served as a means of self-evaluation -- and I came away deciding that someone raised the bar, and it's time to step-up.
Touching Memoir 2008-02-18
I've seen the movie, read the book. The Freedom Writers Diary, that is.
I found Erin Gruwell to be a touching and inspirational woman and have visited the Freedom Writers website to see what she and her students have been up to since the time of the book's publication. She ran for congress--and, sadly, lost. We'd have done well with someone like her in public office, someone with a love for and sincere concern for today's youth and education.
Since leaving the high school classroom, Gruwell has had her share of changes and obstacles and also, as one would expect, great successes. The book retreads a lot of the information gleaned from the book/movie, but I care about Erin now...I want good things for her. And her students. This was a way to catch up.
If you feel the same way, the book is worth your while, but if you are trying to learn more about educational techniques, this isn't the book you're looking for.
you can skip the last half 
2008-01-24
A very wonderful tale except the last bit of the book had little to do with teaching. I enjoyed and learned some new methods on gaining the respect and attention from students. however i learned nothing after she got that from her students except that it helps to know a rich ceo.
