The Freedom Writers Diary: Part II: Diary 23 Summary & Analysis

This student realizes that she has changed enormously since the beginning of freshman year. When she returned from a three-week period of not going to school, Ms. Gruwell interrogated her about why she had been gone for so long. The student, who felt powerful after avoiding school, was afraid that Ms. Gruwell might contact her parents. Her mother has always encouraged her to go to school because no one else in her family has had that opportunity.

Once, when she was caught smoking at a friend’s place, the police came and she was sent to juvenile hall. When she called her mom, she lied to her, so that her mom would not know the details of what happened. When Ms. Gruwell tells this student that, despite her very low GPA, she believes in her, the student is deeply moved, realizing that no one has ever told her that. Ever since Ms. Gruwell has showed that she cared for this student, this student, too, has started caring for herself, has stopped skipping class, and has even begun to enjoy school. She is excited to spend next year with Ms. Gruwell again.