Forever Free

A True Story of Hope in the Fight for Child Literacy

By: Tracy Swinton Bailey

Narrated by: Tracy Swinton Bailey

A memoir and a call to action, this intimate look at America’s long-standing struggle to adequately educate vulnerable children offers valuable insights for effecting change in families, communities, and nationwide.

At the root of every important problem we face, from mass incarceration to income inequality, is an education system influenced by our nation’s fraught history. Just as past generations fought to ensure that all Americans could enjoy the right to fully participate in our democracy, so must we rally tirelessly to advance an educational agenda that promotes equity and inclusion. With the gap between White academic achievement and that of students of color widening, now is the time to turn our attention to the basics, and few would argue with the fact that the single most essential aspect of a good education is literacy. Beyond reading and writing, literacy encompasses a whole host of skills that allow us to develop our potential and succeed in society, including critical thinking, self-discipline, curiosity, leadership, and motivation. Helping all our nation’s young people, especially those who live in low-income communities, improve their literacy skills should be a top priority.

Numerous programs are operating around the country to address the issue of underperformance in light of the shortcomings of our public school system. In Forever Free, Tracy Swinton Bailey charts the journey of one such program, her nonprofit Freedom Readers. From a childhood shaped by books to a career promoting the love of reading, she describes the hurdles and rewards of academia, teaching, mobilizing, and fundraising. Bailey outlines clearly and persuasively how Freedom Readers’ one-on-one tutoring model has worked in the rural South, and how it can work across the US. This book will inspire and empower listeners, and should be given to educators and organizers at every level.

©2021 Tracy Swinton Bailey (P)2021 Random House Audio

Let’s Get It Started!

This listening experience so closely parallels my own journey and life experiences. Written with insight that one would need to live through to understand. What challenges to overcome, mountains to climb and faith it took to accomplish the goals. I have recommended this book to several friends who are educators and have encouraged them to pass Freedom Readers along to their colleagues and sororities. Powerful message and exceptional writing!